(Reuters) – General Dynamics Corp, the Gulfstream jetmaker (NYSE:), reported Wednesday a 3.1% increase in its first quarter profit. This was due to a continued high demand for private aviation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Due to COVID-19 fears, some passengers were more cautious and chose private flight over commercial. These choices have resulted in U.S. air traffic rising above its pre-pandemic level.

The production of business jets has been increasing in order to meet the growing demand from private-flying wealthy people.

While sales at the aerospace business of the company increased marginally from $1.89 billion to $1.9billion last year, overall revenue stood at $9.39billion.

The net earnings grew to $730million, or 2.61 per share during the first quarter from $708million, or $2.48 a share a year prior.