UEFA24, NetJets, Flexjet, AirSprint, Volato, more jets, less flight hours highlight private jet flight activity as we near 2024’s midpoint.
In Week 25, worldwide private jet flight activity (72,272 segments) was down 1% from the previous week and 4% from 2023.
Looking at where the private jets were flying, Managing Director Richard Koe says, ” As we approach the halfway mark to 2024, bizjet flight trends are very similar to last year, just a point down in the U.S. and two points adrift in Europe.”
Segments were down 1.4% year-over-year through June 23, 2024, although flight hours were off 1.9%.
The number of active business aircraft increased 2.5% to 24,719 tails.
How much did they fly?
During the first 25 weeks, the average jet flew 116 hours. That translates into 4.64 hours per week.
U.S. flight segments (46,247) were down 2% sequentially and 4% below Week 25 last year.
Texas (-12%) and California (-9%) saw significant year-over-year declines.
European segments (14,773) increased 5% from the previous week.
They were 2% below last year.
That’s despite a 3% week-to-week gain for Germany.
Its UEFA24 powered 1,736 segments were a 9% goal, err gain over the same period in 2023.
Dortmund (EDLW) arrivals (137) were up 107.6% year-over-year.
Oberpfaffenhofen (EDMO) arrivals (188) were up 70.9% compared to the same period in 2023.
Dusseldorf (EDDL) had a 56.% year-over-year jump with 361 arrivals.
VLJ operator GlobeAir is offering fixed rates for intra-Germany flights, which is worth considering if you are going.
Market | Week 25 | % Change vs. prior week | % Change vs. W25 2023 | 52-week high | Week | 52-week low | Week | Last 4 Weeks | %Change vs YOY |
Global | 72,272 | -1% | -4% | 76,521 | W26 2023 | 58,018 | W52 2023 | 285,335 | -2% |
North America | 48,274 | -1% | -4% | 60,279 | W46 2023 | 41,108 | W27 2023 | 191,965 | -1% |
USA | 46,247 | -2% | -4% | 55,178 | W46 2023 | 37,073 | W27 2023 | 184,311 | -1% |
Florida | 4,656 | -5% | -2% | 8,740 | W8 2024 | 3,628 | W35 2023 | 20,297 | 1% |
California | 4,030 | -4% | -9% | 5,658 | W46 2023 | 3,463 | W27 2023 | 16,729 | -5% |
Texas | 4,222 | -7% | -12% | 6,036 | W46 2023 | 3,335 | W27 2023 | 17,737 | -2% |
Europe | 14,773 | 5% | -2% | 16,289 | W26 2023 | 6,446 | W52 2023 | 54,707 | -2% |
UK | 1,959 | 4% | -2% | 2,014 | W28 2023 | 876 | W52 2023 | 7,516 | 0% |
Germany | 1,736 | 3% | 9% | 1,736 | W25 2024 | 550 | W52 2023 | 6,284 | 4% |
France | 2,464 | -2% | -6% | 2,653 | W26 2023 | 918 | W52 2023 | 9,546 | -3% |
Switzerland | 862 | 4% | -7% | 1,030 | W3 2024 | 539 | W44 2023 | 3,239 | -3% |
Italy | 1,792 | 0% | -19% | 2,264 | W28 2023 | 483 | W52 2023 | 6,922 | -9% |
Middle East | 1,318 | -21% | -26% | 2,247 | W25 2023 | 1,038 | W14 2024 | 5,784 | -14% |
Africa | 799 | -1% | -13% | 991 | W50 2023 | 657 | W19 2024 | 2,999 | -21% |
Asia | 1,809 | -8% | -12% | 2,483 | W3 2024 | 1,794 | W52 2023 | 7,812 | -4% |
South America | 2,171 | 4% | 11% | 2,212 | W12 2024 | 1,239 | W29 2023 | 8,264 | 9% |
Source: WingX for Private Jet Card Comparisons. Includes Jets and VIP Airliners.
Fractional and charter operators were flat week-to-week, flying 36,898 legs, 3% below last year in Week 25.
The U.S. accounted for 24,192 movements, 2% down week-to-week and 1% under 2023.
WingX notes that despite the entry of new players in the fractional market, NetJets and Flexjet were responsible for over 31,000 of the 34,000 fractional business jet departures so far in June.
Still, the category is hot.
Canada’s AirSprint and HondaJet operator Volato were up 35% and 32%, month-over-month.
Earlier this week, Volato said more aircraft, including its first Gulfstream G280, are on the way.
Fractional and charter activity (10,213 segments) gained 6% in Europe from the prior week.
That was still 5% down year-over-year.
Market (Part 91K & Part135) | Week 25 | % Change vs. prior wk | % Change vs. W25 2023 | 52-week high | Week | 52-week low | Week | Last 4 Weeks (Flights) | %Change vs YOY |
Global | 36,898 | 0% | -3% | 40,375 | W26 2023 | 29868 | W2 2024 | 145,185 | -2% |
North America | 24,886 | -2% | -1% | 30,954 | W46 2023 | 21,649 | W27 2023 | 99,815 | 1% |
USA | 24,192 | -2% | -1% | 28,235 | W46 2023 | 20,505 | W27 2023 | 96,964 | 1% |
Florida | 2,468 | -5% | -3% | 5,792 | W52 2023 | 1,958 | W35 2023 | 11,008 | 1% |
California | 2,500 | -7% | -9% | 3,480 | W46 2023 | 2,253 | W27 2023 | 10,461 | -2% |
Texas | 1,863 | -4% | -6% | 2,496 | W46 2023 | 1,404 | W27 2023 | 7,693 | 1% |
Europe | 10,213 | 6% | -5% | 12,171 | W27 2023 | 5,313 | W52 2023 | 37,640 | -7% |
UK | 1,378 | 6% | 0% | 1,516 | W28 2023 | 731 | W2 2024 | 5,309 | -2% |
Germany | 1,211 | 8% | 13% | 1,211 | W25 2024 | 432 | W52 2023 | 4,218 | -1% |
France | 1,775 | 2% | -5% | 1,943 | W48 2023 | 716 | W52 2023 | 6,651 | -7% |
Switzerland | 623 | 14% | -12% | 923 | W7 2024 | 411 | W47 2023 | 2,273 | -9% |
Italy | 1,292 | 0% | -24% | 1,847 | W28 2023 | 422 | W52 2023 | 5,074 | -13% |
Middle East | 733 | -12% | -25% | 1,057 | W35 2023 | 567 | W13 2024 | 2,877 | -18% |
Africa | 227 | 18% | -10% | 380 | W41 2023 | 192 | W16 2024 | 828 | -18% |
Asia | 170 | -25% | -38% | 733 | W11 2023 | 170 | W25 2024 | 901 | -18% |
South America | 26 | -26% | -19% | 91 | W1 2024 | 16 | W23 2024 | 100 | 0% |
Source: WingX for Private Jet Card Comparisons. Includes Jets and VIP Airliners.
As expected, it was a goal – err, gain for the fractional and charter operators in Germany.
The 1,211 flights were 13% higher than last year.