Written by Private jet flight activity from the U.S. to Europe to Asia saw a week-to-week dip, although flying remains above 2019’s pre-Covid levels
Global private jet activity ticked down 4% for the second straight week, with 68,373 flights for the week ended Nov. 6, 2022, but just 1% behind Week 44 last year.
Over the trailing month, WingX data shows the industry just 1% of 2021’s record levels.
Flight activity dips again
U.S. private flights were 3% down week-to-week, with 49,779 segments, just 0.4% below last year.
Key markets Florida and Texas saw 4%, and 9% drops, respectively.
Europe continued deep in the red with 9,541 flights, down 10% week-to-week after falling 3% last week and 6% the week before.
Private jet departures in Europe were 18% down compared to 2021 and, for the trailing four weeks, were 17% off last year’s levels.
Asia, a previous bright spot, saw a 5% week-to-week drop, although its 2,236 flights were still 29% ahead of Week 44 in 2021.
Private Jet Flight Activity Analysis – 2022 – Week 44
| Market | Week 44 | %Change vs. prior week | %Change vs. 2021 | 52- week high | Week | 52- week low | Week | Last 4 Weeks (Flights) | %Change vs. 2021 |
| Global | 68,373 | -4% | -1% | 78,503 | W25 2022 | 59,582 | W02 2022 | 288,818 | -1% |
| North America | 54,252 | -2% | 0.5% | 62,573 | W14 2022 | 46,660 | W27 2022 | 226,807 | 1% |
| USA | 49,779 | -3% | 0.4% | 57,147 | W14 2022 | 42,243 | W27 2022 | 209,406 | 1% |
| Florida | 6,463 | -4% | -8% | 10,603 | W8 2022 | 3,744 | W39 2022 | 26,351 | 2% |
| California | 4,798 | -0.2% | -2% | 6,392 | W7 2022 | 4,212 | W27 2022 | 20,214 | -6% |
| Texas | 5,244 | -9% | -2% | 6,176 | W10 2022 | 3,850 | W27 2022 | 22,218 | 2% |
| Europe | 9,541 | -10% | -18% | 17,608 | W26 2022 | 7,591 | W52 2021 | 42,794 | -17% |
| UK | 1,442 | -4% | -24% | 2,336 | W26 2022 | 894 | W52 2021 | 6,177 | -15% |
| Germany | 1,200 | -20% | -13% | 1,915 | W26 2022 | 704 | W52 2021 | 5,523 | -10% |
| France | 1,298 | -10% | -12% | 3,032 | W21 2022 | 1,052 | W52 2021 | 5,945 | -15% |
| Switzerland | 600 | -10% | -26% | 1,209 | W21 2022 | 637 | W48 2021 | 2,688 | -21% |
| Italy | 873 | -13% | -13% | 2,357 | W28 2022 | 456 | W1 2022 | 4,157 | -14% |
| Middle East | 1,403 | -11% | 8% | 1,599 | W34 2022 | 926 | W4 2022 | 5,656 | 5% |
| Africa | 754 | -8% | 17% | 876 | W19 2022 | 508 | W52 2021 | 3,189 | 14% |
| Asia | 2,236 | -5% | 29% | 2,357 | W43 2022 | 1,589 | W52 2021 | 8,916 | 22% |
| South America | 1,037 | -20% | 3% | 1,437 | W50 2021 | 848 | W52 2021 | 4,746 | 5% |
Charter and fractional operators continued to face headwinds, with 35,816 flights, down 3% week-to-week and 9% below 2021 levels.
U.S. charter, fractional flying declines
The U.S. posted a 1% week-to-week drop with 25,814 charter and fractional departures, 7% off last year’s torrid pace.
Europe charter and fractional operators were down 10% week-to-week, putting them 21% behind 2021’s flying numbers.
Still, NetJets says it sold out all delivery slots until 2024.
Part 135/91K – Private Jet Flight Activity Analysis – 2022 – Week 44
| Market (Part 91K & Part135) | Week 44 | %Change vs prior wk | %Change vs 2021 | 52- week high | Week | 52- week low | Week | Last 4 Weeks (Flights) | %Change vs. 2021 |
| Global | 35,186 | -3% | -9% | 41,811 | W8 2022 | 31,911 | W2 2022 | 142,921 | -9% |
| North America | 27,278 | -1% | -6% | 32,702 | W8 2022 | 22,967 | W35 2022 | 114,689 | -6% |
| USA | 25,814 | -1% | -7% | 30,705 | W8 2022 | 21,948 | W35 2022 | 109,020 | -6% |
| Florida | 3,756 | -1% | -12% | 6,327 | W52 2021 | 2,024 | W39 2022 | 15,113 | -5% |
| California | 3,021 | -0.1% | -8% | 4,095 | W7 2022 | 2,638 | W27 2022 | 12,562 | -10% |
| Texas | 2,161 | -9% | -10% | 2,734 | W10 2022 | 1,644 | W27 2022 | 9,291 | -7% |
| Europe | 6,959 | -10% | -21% | 12,962 | W27 2022 | 6,186 | W52 2021 | 31,312 | -20% |
| UK | 1,038 | -4% | -27% | 1,772 | W26 2022 | 748 | W51 2021 | 4,464 | -20% |
| Germany | 864 | -17% | -13% | 1,295 | W25 2022 | 572 | W52 2021 | 3,942 | -12% |
| France | 928 | -9% | -17% | 2,401 | W21 2022 | 795 | W2 2022 | 4,274 | -19% |
| Switzerland | 456 | -9% | -30% | 868 | W21 2022 | 494 | W16 2022 | 2,010 | -26% |
| Italy | 653 | -18% | -20% | 1,855 | W28 2022 | 376 | W1 2022 | 3,195 | -20% |
| Middle East | 787 | -15% | 5% | 927 | W43 2022 | 481 | W4 2022 | 3,226 | -1% |
| Africa | 273 | -11% | 5% | 321 | W13 2022 | 160 | W35 2022 | 1,157 | 6% |
| Asia | 591 | -19% | 8% | 730 | W43 2022 | 365 | W4 2022 | 2,470 | 15% |
| South America | 68 | 11% | 152% | 71 | W48 2021 | 13 | W24 2022 | 241 | 79% |
Asia charter and fractional flights dropped, too. The 591 departures were a 19% fall from the previous week, although 8% ahead of 2021.
Ahead of 2019
Still, WingX Managing Director Richard Koe offers, “So far this month, the U.S. business jet market is well ahead of three years ago; activity is up 17% compared to November 2019.”
He also points to the positive side of Europe’s numbers. “Paris Le-Bourget is the busiest European bizjet airport so far this month, with departures 15% below last year, although 15% above three years ago,” Koe notes.
Overall, he notes, “During a week where the industry has faced violent protests and media criticism, the post-Covid rebound in bizjet flights in Europe is ebbing fast. The U.S. market is holding onto its gains, although the charter market is softening.”