Charter and fractional operators face strong headwinds in Europe as the market saw a double-digit drop in private jet flight activity.
Worldwide private jet flight activity (71,345 flights) dipped 1% from the previous week for the week ending April 28, 2024.
Still, it was 4% ahead of 2023 flying for Week 17.
“The U.S. market is relatively resilient, especially for large fleet operators in the charter and fractional space,” says Richard Koe, Managing Director of WingX.
Over the trailing four weeks, the industry saw 288,683 sectors globally, 5% up on last year.
The U.S. (48,462 segments) was 3% up year-over-year and 5% ahead of 2023 for the trailing four weeks.
Florida was a sunny place for private flying with 7,196 segments, 10% over 2023 for the week.
The Sunshine State also registered a strong month with 5% growth during the previous 28 days.
Texas also saw a 6% increase during the first four weeks of April.
Europe (9,741 segments) decreased by 4% week-to-week and 3% year-over-year.
| Market | Week 17 | %Change vs. prior week | %Change vs W17 2023 | 52-week high | Week | 52-week low | Week | Last 4 Weeks | %Change vs. YOY |
| Global | 71,345 | -1% | 4% | 76,521 | W26 2023 | 58,018 | W52 2023 | 288,683 | 5% |
| North America | 52,242 | -1% | 3% | 60,279 | W46 2023 | 41,108 | W27 2023 | 214,876 | 5% |
| USA | 48,462 | -2% | 3% | 55,178 | W46 2023 | 37,073 | W27 2023 | 200,236 | 5% |
| Florida | 7,196 | -3% | 10% | 8,740 | W8 2024 | 3,628 | W35 2023 | 30,536 | 5% |
| California | 4,700 | -6% | -2% | 5,658 | W46 2023 | 3,463 | W27 2023 | 19,320 | 2% |
| Texas | 4,978 | -1% | 2% | 6,036 | W46 2023 | 3,335 | W27 2023 | 20,554 | 6% |
| Europe | 9,741 | -4% | -3% | 16,289 | W26 2023 | 6,446 | W52 2023 | 37,290 | -1% |
| UK | 1,352 | -2% | -1% | 2,014 | W28 2023 | 876 | W52 2023 | 5,100 | -2% |
| Germany | 1,341 | 2% | 0% | 1,623 | W24 2023 | 550 | W52 2023 | 4,725 | -3% |
| France | 1,418 | 0% | -5% | 2,653 | W26 2023 | 918 | W52 2023 | 5,599 | -3% |
| Switzerland | 601 | -6% | -10% | 1,030 | W3 2024 | 539 | W44 2023 | 2,497 | -6% |
| Italy | 995 | -38% | 3% | 2,264 | W28 2023 | 483 | W52 2023 | 4,511 | 15% |
| Middle East | 1,475 | 16% | 8% | 2,247 | W25 2023 | 1,038 | W14 2024 | 4,906 | -9% |
| Africa | 820 | 3% | -27% | 991 | W50 2023 | 661 | W11 2024 | 3,160 | -15% |
| Asia | 2,210 | 1% | 23% | 2,483 | W3 2024 | 1,794 | W52 2023 | 8,811 | 23% |
| South America | 2,108 | 3% | 42% | 2,212 | W12 2024 | 1,239 | W29 2023 | 8,271 | 37% |
Source: WingX for Private Jet Card Comparisons. Includes Jets and VIP Airliners.
Fractional and charter operators (34,345 flights) were down 2% week-to-week and 1% below last year’s numbers.
In the U.S., flying was down 2% for Week 17 (24,731 flights), yet still 2% above 2023.
Over the past four weeks, U.S. charter and fractional flying was up 4% year-over-year.
During the first four weeks of April, WingX data shows Texas (8,756 segments) with an 11% year-over-year gain for the fractional and charter operators.
| Market (Part 91K & Part135) | Week 17 | %Change vs. prior wk | % Change vs W17 2023 | 52-week high | Week | 52-week low | Week | Last 4 Weeks | %Change vs YOY |
| Global | 34,345 | -2% | -1% | 40,375 | W26 2023 | 29,868 | W2 2024 | 141,818 | 0% |
| North America | 25,566 | -2% | 3% | 30,954 | W46 2023 | 21,649 | W27 2023 | 107,242 | 5% |
| USA | 24,731 | -2% | 2% | 28,235 | W46 2023 | 20,505 | W27 2023 | 103,697 | 4% |
| Florida | 3,995 | -5% | 8% | 5,792 | W52 2023 | 1,958 | W35 2023 | 17,317 | 3% |
| California | 2,869 | -6% | -2% | 3,480 | W46 2023 | 2,253 | W27 2023 | 11,947 | 2% |
| Texas | 2,098 | 0% | 5% | 2,496 | W46 2023 | 1,404 | W27 2023 | 8,756 | 11% |
| Europe | 6,634 | -5% | -12% | 12,171 | W27 2023 | 5,313 | W52 2023 | 25,982 | -10% |
| UK | 923 | -6% | -12% | 1,516 | W28 2023 | 731 | W2 2024 | 3,678 | -11% |
| Germany | 838 | -1% | -11% | 1,179 | W24 2023 | 432 | W52 2023 | 3,021 | -14% |
| France | 987 | -1% | -13% | 1,943 | W48 2023 | 716 | W52 2023 | 3,953 | -11% |
| Switzerland | 435 | -5% | -16% | 923 | W7 2024 | 411 | W47 2023 | 1,835 | -11% |
| Italy | 752 | -35% | -6% | 1,847 | W28 2023 | 422 | W52 2023 | 3,370 | 3% |
| Middle East | 770 | 11% | -7% | 1,057 | W35 2023 | 567 | W13 2024 | 2,622 | -16% |
| Africa | 208 | 8% | -52% | 341 | W17 2023 | 192 | W16 2024 | 800 | -38% |
| Asia | 303 | -15% | -25% | 733 | W11 2023 | 283 | W5 2024 | 1,310 | -15% |
| South America | 48 | -21% | -9% | 91 | W1 2024 | 18 | W22 2023 | 196 | -6% |
Source: WingX for Private Jet Card Comparisons. Includes Jets and VIP Airliners.
Europe was not as shiny.
Its 6,634 segments were down 5% week-to-week and 12% below last year.
During the first four weeks of last month, fractional and charter activity was 10% under 2023.
Germany (-14%), the UK, France, and Germany (all -11%) saw double-digit drops for the first 28 days of April.
In fact, Koe notes, “The outlook for business jet activity is softening in Europe as utilization levels fall below 2019 levels, notably in Germany and France.”
