Peak-season lift, with France the growth-engine

There were 85,685 business aviation departures in Europe in July 2016 according to WINGX`s latest monthly Business Aviation Monitor.

The figure represents a 1.9% YOY growth in activity - the largest monthly gain so far in 2016, taking the YTD trend to -0.2% compared to 2015. July 2016 was 4% down on the pre-crisis activity peak from July 2008.

Regions

Europe’s busiest market, France, was again the main growth engine, with departures from France up 11% YOY; AOC flights by 17%. Flights within France gained 12%. YTD. Business aviation activity in France is up 4%, averaging 389 new flights per month.

Flight activity also increased in Europe’s other major markets Italy, Spain and Switzerland. With no obvious Brexit impact on the UK, overall activity was flat this month, but up 2% from London. Activity in Germany slumped 7% in July and is -3% YTD.

Private flight activity was flat this month, with decline in Turboprop sectors offset by small gains in Jet and Piston flights. AOC activity was up 3%, mainly due to strong recovery in jet charters. AOC activity has increased in all but 2 months this year.

Western Europe continues to be the most resilient region, with UEFA Finals boosting connections between France, UK, Portugal, Spain, Italy and Ireland. There was no sign of recovery in Russia market, and Middle East arrivals slowed, but North America inbound was up.

The only business jet segment with declining flights this month was Midsize. Heavy Jet activity bucked recent decline, and both VLJ and SMJ segments had double-digit gains this month. Light Jet sectors are up in all but one month this year.

Cities with most business aviation flights

Positive trend in most of the big hubs, notably Paris, although Berlin & Madrid down.

Aircraft

Bombardier fleet activity was well up in ULR, HJ and SMJ segments, mainly in AOC activity, with Learjet Private flights also well up, especially in SLJ segment. Dassault activity was down, notably in ULR segment. Embraer flights were well up, Hawker falling away.

Significant YOY growth for a number of Mediterranean-region airports, including Olbia, Mikonos, Ibiza, particularly in AOC sectors. A big decline at Bodrum, reflected wider decline in Turkey activity, with country activity falling 17% this month, 12% YTD.

Airports

London’s airports generated the most activity of any city this month, with largest gains at Stansted, also growth at Northolt and Biggin Hill. Luton’s activity was down, and elsewhere significant declines at German airports including Stuttgart, Frankfurt, Munich.

Richard Koe, Managing Director of WINGX Advance, comments:

“This was the most encouraging month of 2016, with 2% YOY growth in peak season activity bringing the activity level close to where it was pre-2009. Obviously the Euro Championships gave the market a boost, especially in France, but activity trends in Western Europe have also apparently ridden the impact of Brexit and recent terrorist attacks. The recent comeback in activity is clear in most business jet segments but particularly in Very Light Jet, mainly in charters. This reflects not just aircraft capability but also the success of the air-taxi operations and innovative brokerage platforms.”

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WINGX Advance is a data research and consulting company based in Hamburg, Germany. WINGX analysis provides actionable market intelligence for the business aviation industry. WINGX services include: Market Intelligence Briefings, Customised Research, Strategic Consulting, Market Surveys. WINGX customers range from aircraft operators, OEMs, airlines, maintenance providers, airports, fixed base operators, fuel providers, regulators, legal advisors, leasing companies, banks, investors and private jet users.

WINGX Advance GmbH 
Conventstr. 8 - 10
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D - 22089 Hamburg
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+49 40 32 84 69 78 phone | +49 40 32 84 69 79 fax
©BlueSky Business Aviation News | 25th August 2016 | Issue #380
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