There were 53,526 business
aviation departures in Europe in February 2017 according to WINGX`s latest
monthly Business Aviation Monitor published this week.
The figure represents 0.9%
growth compared to Feb-16 (which was 1 day longer). The YTD trend is now +2.6%;
so far, 2,602 more flights in 2017 than in 2016.
Business jets operated 62%
of business aviation flights in February, increasing activity by 4% YOY. The
overall trend was held back by Turboprop and Piston activity, down 4% YOY. The
rolling 12-month trend in business jet activity is just above 2%.
February’s activity was
bolstered by stronger activity in Germany, flights up by 5% YOY. AOC activity
from Germany is generating the growth, up 10% YOY. Mainly the recovery is coming
in business jet rather than in turboprop activity.
France continued to grow,
less than in January, but still up by 473 flights a month so far this year. Much
of the growth came from Le Bourget, departures up 4%, of which AOC missions
gained 11% YOY. UK was also up, with daily departures to Europe +2.8%.
Flights from Western Europe were up 1%, +2% from Southern Europe, but down 6%
from Eastern Europe. Departures from Middle East and North America into Europe
were down, but arrivals from Russia climbed 10% YOY.
Cities with
most business aviation flights |
|
London &
Paris up, strong growth in Madrid & Berlin, decline in Geneva and
Rome |
Private flights comprised
47% of all activity in February, volumes down 3%, in contrast to AOC sectors, up
6% YOY. Jet and Prop Private flights declined 1% and 5% respectively. Business
jet AOC sectors increased by 8.5% YOY.
AOC activity was up in all 7
top markets, including Italy. AOC departures from Spain increased 10% YOY, from
Russia, +14%, and from the Netherlands, 28%. Apart from Germany, Private
missions declined across the same top 7 markets.
Aircraft
In terms of operated hours, all
business jet segments except heavy jets were up this month. ELJ & VLJ hours
increased >10%. ULR flights were up 10%, reflected for example in a big pick-up
for Falcon 7X and Global Express aircraft.
Airports
Business aviation activity
declined at 3 of the busiest 4 airports - Luton, Geneva and Zurich. But apart
from Zurich, AOC activity was up in the top 7. Largest growth in AOC activity
came from Nice and Vnukovo, respectively growing 21% and 30% YOY.
Richard Koe,
Managing Director of WINGX Advance, comments: “Allowing for the shorter month,
February showed solid YOY growth for business aviation activity in Europe. The
resurgence is coming in business jet activity, and clearly from AOC operations
rather than Private flights, as we’re seeing owners fly consistently less over
the last year. Activity growth appears to be coming from new ultra-long range
and super midsize aircraft coming into owned and operated fleets, also from the
success of online brokerage platforms and membership schemes focused on getting
higher utilisation from light jet inventory.”
Download the current issue of the 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. |