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
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Positive trend in most of the big hubs, notably Paris, although Berlin & Madrid down.
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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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the current Business Aviation Monitor
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. |