Private Jet Flight Activity Analysis – 2022 – Week 46

Florida private jet flight activity jumps 29% week-to-week ahead of Thanksgiving as global flight activity increases 8% week-to-week

After four weeks of declining numbers, global private jet flight activity in Week 46 saw a week-to-week 8% jump with 73,214 flights, still 3% below 2021, according to WingX data.

Over the past four weeks, private jet flights worldwide have been running 3% below last year.

U.S. private jet flight activity surges

The world’s biggest market, the U.S., increased 11% from last week, with 53,783 flights, 11% up week-to-week, and 2% behind 2021.

Florida (+29%) and California (+16%) saw significant week-to-week increases for the week ending Nov. 20, 2022. But even so, they were 4% and 6% under 2021 levels, respectively.

Moving across the pond, Europe continues to see red numbers. Its 9,256 flights marked a 5% week-to-week drop, 17% below 2021.

Asia, with small numbers – 2,659 private jet flights – nevertheless tallied an 18% week-to-week gain, 35% ahead of 2021.

Over the past month, Asia flying is 26% up on 2021.

Private Jet Flight Activity Analysis – 2022 – Week 46

Fractional and charter operators also turned positive, with a 9% increase week-to-week, accounting for 36,909 flights for the week, 10% down from 2021.

The U.S., helped by the beginning of Thanksgiving holiday traffic, saw 27,649 charter and fractional flights, up 13%.

It was still an 8% decline from last year’s record levels.

Florida private jet flights were up 30% for the week, even if they were still 9% lagging behind 2021, while Texas saw a 17% week-to-week gain.

Part 135/91K – Private Jet Flight Activity Analysis – 2022 – Week 46

Europe’s charter and fractional operators continued declines, with flights down 4% from the previous week and 21% under 2021.

Asia’s 720 fractional and private jet flights popped 13% for the week, putting them 34% ahead of 2021 for the same period.

The year in review

Despite the positive weekly report, WingX’s Richard Koe says, “We have seen almost six consecutive months of falling bizjet flight activity in 2022 compared to 2021, taking demand well off the peaks of the Covid rebound, although the market still has a substantial gain versus pre-covid 2019.”

He adds, Directionally, Europe is seeing weakest trends, with the U.S. steady although charter demand is ebbing, while the Middle East and Asia still have strong growth compared to 2021.”

Looking at the whole year, Koe notes, “So far this year (through Nov. 20), global business jet and turboprop activity, measured in sectors flown, is 12% ahead of last year, 14% ahead of 2019.”

Meanwhile, dedicated freight activity is ahead of three years ago, with flights up 5%, although 3% below last year.

Scheduled airline activity continues to lag pre-pandemic, with flights 25% fewer compared to three years ago, even if 23% ahead of last year.

Focussing on the busiest global airlines (American Airlines, Delta Airlines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Ryanair), this year’s activity is 35% ahead of 2021 and still 4% below 2019.