TRAQPak says private jet travel increased by 4.1% year-over-year powered Part 135 growth of 7.9%, representing on-demand charter and jet card membership programs. Fractional share flying rose 2.2% and Part 91 activity increased 2.0%. Aircraft size categories all increased with Large and Mid-Size jets posting the largest gains, up 5.6% & 6.9%, respectively.
In Europe, business jet activity jumped 8% YOY powered by charter flights which saw a 13% YOY gain. The year-to-date trend climbed to 4%, an additional 28,000 flights this year compared to 2016. AT an average of $15,000 per flight, the gain would translate to $420 million in increased spending. France, Spain and Italy powered the results with a 1,000 flight YOY gain from France in October.
According to WINGX there were small declines in activity from Russia, Norway, Turkey, but strong gains from other smaller markets such as Sweden, Austria, Greece. YTD, Germany has seen the most growth, flights up by 3.9%, an additional 415 flights per month.
London saw the most private aviation activity in October with 4,921 departures followed by Paris (2,371), Geneva (1,381), Nice (1,216), Zurich (1,053), Milan (1,039), Moscow (1,037), Munich (837), Madrid (790), Rome (740), Berlin (685) and Vienna (622).