There were 76,983 business aviation departures in Europe in September 2016 according to
WINGX`s latest monthly Business Aviation Monitor, representing 1.4% YOY growth in activity.
The growth came in business jet activity, flights up 4% YOY, offsetting declines in turboprop
and piston activity.
Regions
The UK had most growth this month, with flights up 5%. The increase was most evident in
London, with Large Jet departures up 7% and Light Jet flights up by 12%. On average there
were 150 business aviation flights a day leaving the UK during September.
The Busiest country in September was France, generating 19% of all European departures.
YOY trend in France was flat, whilst YTD trend was up 3%. France saw an additional 350 flights
per month in 2016. Spain enjoyed a 12% increase in departures this month, mainly in Owner
flights.
The major markets experiencing decline this month were Germany and Switzerland. Flights
within Germany were down 8%, and Charter departures from Germany fell 11%. Business jet
flights in Germany were flat; all the decline was in prop activity.
Overall, flight activity within Western Europe was flat this month, the growth coming in Southern
and Eastern Europe, although both Turkey and Russia markets continued to decline.
Transatlantic flights were well up this month - arrivals up by 8% YOY.
Owner flights were flat and have been declining most of the last 12 months. In contrast AOC
flights were up, growing as they have been in all but two months this year. Business jet AOC
flights were up exceptionally, +7% YOY. The growth in AOC flights was evident in recovering HJ
and LJ activity, both up 8%. SMJ activity was up >20%, mainly reflecting replenished fractional
fleets. VLJ activity was up 15% overall, and 18% YOY in terms of Charter sectors flown.
Cities with most business aviation flights
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Central Europe slightly declines, but London and Paris made big gains.
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Aircraft
In the VLJ segment, Mustang flights were up 10%
YOY, Phenom 100 activity by 26%. Overall, Cessna aircraft flew 2% more YOY, Embraer aircraft up 24%, Bombardier up 14%, but
Beechcraft and Hawker aircraft down 7% and 11% respectively.
Airports
Four of the busiest five airports were flat this month, Le Bourget the exception with 5% YOY
growth in departures. Other airports with substantial growth this month included Biggin Hill, up
10%, Farnborough up 13%, Ibiza up by 17%.
Richard Koe, Managing Director of WINGX Advance, comments:
“This month completed a positive 3rd Quarter, adding to the growth in Q2, and offsetting the bad
start to the year, so that overall trend is now line with 2015. September was actually unusually
strong, especially for business jet charters. The UK and Spain got a big share of the growth, the
tourist season extended by the long late summer. VLJ charters played a big role in supporting
this demand. Aggregate activity was also boosted by new deliveries into Super Midsize fleets.”
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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. |