European business aviation ends 2019 on a high note

Wing-X data shows despite the bright spots, overall disappointing results

December saw some year-over-year growth in business aviation activity in Europe, according to researcher Wing-X.

Flights were up by 2.9% with most of the growth in business jet sectors, up by 4.5%, particularly charter activity, up by 7%. For the full year, total activity was down 1.6% compared to 2018.

Flight activity out of the UK slipped back by 3% in December, but most of the other larger markets were up, notably Italy and Austria. Spain had the strongest growth in 2019, Germany the largest decline.

This December´s activity was still well below the peak December activity way back in 2007. The overall trend for LAST year is negative, 2% fewer flights than 2018.

Richard Koe, Managing Director, Wing-X

Large Jet activity was the motor for last month´s growth, notably France, Germany, Italy. Small and Midsize jet traffic was up 15% in Italy but down by 8% in Sweden. Prop activity was up 16% in Spain.

Italy had a standout growth of 20% in Charter activity. Germany, Spain, Austria, Russia had greater than 10% growth. UK Charters fell 5%. Private activity was up 20% In Czech, but down by 13% in Spain.

Activity out of London was flat in December, in contrast to around 15% growth from Paris and Geneva, mostly in Small and Medium Jets. Large Jet flights fell 8% from Zurich but were up 27% from Berlin.

Intra-European flights were up 3% in December, reducing the YTD deficit to 1.7% versus 2018. Flights to North America were up by 2% this year. Flights to Asia-Pac fell 9% during 2019.

 Richard Koe, managing director for Wing-X said, “December activity was surprisingly positive, up 3% YOY. Partly this is due to December 2018 being particularly weak.

He added, “This December´s activity was still well below the peak December activity way back in 2007. The overall trend for LAST year is negative, 2% fewer flights than 2018.”

Koe noted, “The growth last month has clearly come from the Super Midsize, Super Light and Ultra Long-Range Jets, reflecting growth in the size of the active fleets in Europe towards the end of last year. For the full year, the UK and Germany were weakest regional markets.”