April 18, 2024
WINGX`s latest monthly Business Aviation Monitor shows 67,231 business aviation departures in Europe in March 2017, up 8% YOY. In a press release, the private jet tracking service noted this wad due to Easter falling in Mar 2016 and Apr 2017.
Following Q1, business aviation activity in 2017 is +5% vs comparable 2016. All fleet categories – business jets, props, pistons – increased YOY activity this month. Props and Pistons had relatively the strongest growth, but Business Jets generated almost 60% of overall activity, with flights up by 6% YOY.
Central Europe – Germany, Austria, Switzerland – saw strongest regional growth. Flights from Germany were up 18% YOY, strongest on domestic sectors and in connections with UK and France. Average monthly growth in Germany in Q1 was 855 flights. France remains the busiest market, with 22% of total European activity, this month`s 4% growth adding 560 YOY flights.
Activity out of the UK continues to grow, with direct connections to EU destinations up by 7% YOY this month. Whereas flights within Europe were well up this month, over 8% YOY, flights to Middle East and CIS region declined. Flights from Europe to North America and Africa had double-digit growth. Arrivals into Europe from West Africa declined 11%. The largest share of flights this month were Private mission, these increasing 6.5% YOY, following several months of decline. AOC activity was up 10% YOY, maintaining a positive last 12 months and strong growth in Q1 2017.
AOC activity was up YOY in nine of the busiest 10 countries this month, with >10% growth in all top five countries, including Italy, despite its 10% fall in Private flights.
Germany, Scandinavia and Turkey saw very strong increase in Private flight activity. Bizliner and Midsize Jet activity declined substantially this month, but all other segments were up, with strongest YOY growth for Ultra-Long, Light and Very-Light Jets. These segments have increased activity in all but two of the last 12 months.
Business aviation activity was well up this month across almost all busiest airports, with Vnukovo and Linate exceptions. Le Bourget and Geneva posted strong growth. Exceptionally strong growth at Schoenefeld. Activity at Cannes declined by 21% YOY.
