Charter, Fractional flight activity continue gains to start 2022 as demand for private jets remains at record levels
While global private jet flights for Week 1 of 2022 were 5% below the previous week, charter and fractional flights saw an 8% gain week-to-week for the second consecutive week.
Fractional, charter operators see gains to start 2022
According to WingX, there were 62,248 private jet flights worldwide for the week ending January 9, 2022, 35% more than the same week last year and the same amount up for the trailing four weeks.
North American flights made up 50,388 of the global total despite an 8% dip and were 35% ahead of 2021. U.S. private jet movements fell 9% week-to-week, although Texas saw a 0.1% gain.
Still, U.S. private jet flights were 36% up compared to Week 1 in 2021 and the same amount for the past month.
Europe enjoyed an 8% week-to-week increase. The U.K., Germany, France, and Switzerland saw week-to-week gains of 18%-to-19%.
In the U.K., flights were up 97% compared to Week 1 of 2021. Switzerland private jet flights were up 85% year-over-year for the week.
Still, Florida had more private jet flights last week (8,341) than all of Europe (8,218).
Total – Private Jet Flight Activity Analysis – 2022 – Week 1
Market | Last Week (Flights) | % Change vs. prior week | % Change vs. 2021 | Last 4 Weeks (Flights) | % Change vs. 2021/20 |
Global | 62,248 | -5% | 35% | 263,492 | 35% |
North America | 50,388 | -8% | 35% | 212,482 | 36% |
USA | 45,154 | -9% | 36% | 191,106 | 36% |
Florida | 8,341 | -17% | 31% | 33,208 | 27% |
California | 4,695 | -6% | 46% | 19,823 | 45% |
Texas | 4,607 | 0.1% | 40% | 18,981 | 34% |
Europe | 8,218 | 8% | 53% | 35,259 | 44% |
UK | 1,054 | 18% | 97% | 4,359 | 63% |
Germany | 838 | 19% | 33% | 3,826 | 39% |
France | 1,228 | 18% | 53% | 5,213 | 44% |
Switzerland | 883 | 19% | 85% | 3,314 | 62% |
Italy | 456 | -3% | 42% | 2,306 | 59% |
Middle East | 1,076 | 14% | 10% | 4,350 | 12% |
Africa | 593 | 20% | 15% | 2,350 | 7% |
Asia | 1,756 | 13% | -0.5% | 7,294 | 7% |
South America | 968 | 15% | 14% | 4,482 | 32% |
While owners may have been taking a break after flying at record levels for the holidays, charter and fractional operators saw a continued surge.
In the U.S., charter and fractional flights increase 11% week-to-week for the second straight week. Florida private jet flights saw a week-to-week 37% spike and were 23% up compared to the same week of 2021.
Part 135/91K – Private Jet Flight Activity Analysis – 2022 – Week 1
Market (Part 91K & Part135) | Last Week (Flights) | % Change vs. prior week | % Change vs. 2021 | Last 4 Weeks (Flights) | % Change vs. 2021/20 |
Global | 32,089 | 8% | 36% | 137,709 | 37% |
North America | 25,958 | 12% | 32% | 110,949 | 34% |
USA | 24,388 | 11% | 31% | 104,782 | 34% |
Florida | 4,755 | 37% | 23% | 19,492 | 23% |
California | 2,866 | 4% | 40% | 12,537 | 46% |
Texas | 1,895 | 5% | 35% | 8,160 | 32% |
Europe | 5,720 | -9% | 60% | 24,477 | 49% |
UK | 784 | -1% | 108% | 3,244 | 65% |
Germany | 574 | -21% | 40% | 2,577 | 48% |
France | 854 | -16% | 70% | 3,731 | 56% |
Switzerland | 696 | -4% | 89% | 2,551 | 60% |
Italy | 336 | -26% | 52% | 1,744 | 70% |
Middle East | 417 | -11% | -2% | 1,653 | 5% |
Africa | 109 | -12% | -1% | 438 | -12% |
Asia | 272 | 1% | -4% | 959 | 2% |
South America | 24 | -36% | 50% | 113 | 82% |
European charter and fractional flights were down 9% compared to New Year’s week. However, they were still 60% over Week 1 of 2021.
Richard Koe, Managing Director of WingX, said, “In the first ten days of January 2022, business jets flew 26% more flights than two years ago, on the eve of the pandemic. Compared to January 2019, business jet activity so far this year is up 18%. Versus the virus-affected slowdown last year, this year is up by 38%.”