The market for engines to power supersonic jets could be relatively small, as they would use far more fuel than conventional aircraft, but Aerion’s chief executive, Doug Nichols, is convinced it exists. “The message from many of today’s long-range business jet operators is very clear: they want a supersonic jet sooner rather than later and are willing to pay more than $100m for such an aircraft,” he said. “That is the jet we are working to deliver.”