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

MarketWeek 44%Change vs. prior week%Change vs. 202152- week highWeek52- week lowWeekLast 4 Weeks (Flights)%Change vs. 2021
Global68,373-4%-1%78,503W25 202259,582W02 2022288,818-1%
North America54,252-2%0.5%62,573W14 202246,660W27 2022226,8071%
USA49,779-3%0.4%57,147W14 202242,243W27 2022209,4061%
Florida6,463-4%-8%10,603W8 20223,744W39 202226,3512%
California4,798-0.2%-2%6,392W7 20224,212W27 202220,214-6%
Texas5,244-9%-2%6,176W10 20223,850W27 202222,2182%
Europe9,541-10%-18%17,608W26 20227,591W52 202142,794-17%
UK1,442-4%-24%2,336W26 2022894W52 20216,177-15%
Germany1,200-20%-13%1,915W26 2022704W52 20215,523-10%
France1,298-10%-12%3,032W21 20221,052W52 20215,945-15%
Switzerland600-10%-26%1,209W21 2022637W48 20212,688-21%
Italy873-13%-13%2,357W28 2022456W1 20224,157-14%
Middle East1,403-11%8%1,599W34 2022926W4 20225,6565%
Africa754-8%17%876W19 2022508W52 20213,18914%
Asia2,236-5%29%2,357W43 20221,589W52 20218,91622%
South America1,037-20%3%1,437W50 2021848W52 20214,7465%
Source: WingX for Private Jet Card Comparisons. Includes Jets and VIP Airliners.

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 202152- week highWeek52- week lowWeekLast 4 Weeks (Flights)%Change vs. 2021
Global35,186-3%-9%41,811W8 202231,911W2 2022142,921-9%
North America27,278-1%-6%32,702W8 202222,967W35 2022114,689-6%
USA25,814-1%-7%30,705W8 202221,948W35 2022109,020-6%
Florida3,756-1%-12%6,327W52 20212,024W39 202215,113-5%
California3,021-0.1%-8%4,095W7 20222,638W27 202212,562-10%
Texas2,161-9%-10%2,734W10 20221,644W27 20229,291-7%
Europe6,959-10%-21%12,962W27 20226,186W52 202131,312-20%
UK1,038-4%-27%1,772W26 2022748W51 20214,464-20%
Germany864-17%-13%1,295W25 2022572W52 20213,942-12%
France928-9%-17%2,401W21 2022795W2 20224,274-19%
Switzerland456-9%-30%868W21 2022494W16 20222,010-26%
Italy653-18%-20%1,855W28 2022376W1 20223,195-20%
Middle East787-15%5%927W43 2022481W4 20223,226-1%
Africa273-11%5%321W13 2022160W35 20221,1576%
Asia591-19%8%730W43 2022365W4 20222,47015%
South America6811%152%71W48 202113W24 202224179%
Source: WingX for Private Jet Card Comparisons. Includes Jets and VIP Airliners.

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.”

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