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August activity robust for large jets but activity declining overall

There were 79,894 business aviation departures in Europe in August according to WINGX`s latest monthly Business Aviation Monitor.

The total is down by 10K compared to July, and down 2.3% vs August 2018. Private and Owner flights declined by the most, down by 8% in the business jet fleet. YTD-2019 trend in total activity is now -1.9% compared to 2018.

There were significant declines this month from Germany, the UK, Italy and Switzerland - between 6% and 10% less activity YOY - with Germany suffering the most, especially in Charter/AOC. Some gains in YOY activity from France and Spain, respectively up by 1% and 2% YOY.

There was growth this month in Greece, Austria, Turkey, especially in Russia, flights up by 8% YOY. So far this year, Spain is the only top market with growth. Germany and UK have both seen flights decline more than 4% compared to 2018.

Large Jet activity was down overall by 1% this month, with Germany bucking the trend, also adding 1% YOY. The Small-Mid sector was down by 4%, dropping 11% in Germany, 8% in UK, 4% in France. The Charter/AOC market was particularly weak in Germany this month, 57% of departures and down by 9% YOY. Conversely, there was strong growth in Spain, Russia. Private activity in UK was -12%.

Activity out of London continues to fall, especially Large Jets, 35% of all departures. Paris outbound activity slumped this month, 15% YOY decline in Large Jets. Strong growth in August in flights from Moscow, also from Cannes.

Domestic European activity was down 2.4% this month, worse than the 1% L12M trend. Connections with the Americas were up, but down from Europe to Africa and Asia-Pac regions. Flights from Russia into Europe were well up this month.

Aircraft

Ultra-Long Range and Heavy Jet segments were robust this month, flights up by 2%-3%. In terms of OEM, Dassault had strongest trends in the large cabin. Big gains in Falcon 2000 and Legacy 600 Charter/AOC, and on Gulfstream 600 for Private flights.

Airports

Nice Cote D'Azur (LFMN) was the busiest airport this month, activity down in Small-Mid jet departures. At Ibiza (LEIB), Large Jet activity was up 10%, and at London Biggin Hill (EGKB), +22%. Small-Mid activity +10% at Farnborough (EGLF). Of the summer resorts, Mykonos and Cannes added most YOY activity.

Charter/AOC activity from EGLF was up 17% this month. Flights to destinations outside Europe were up 9% from LFPB, up 15% from EGLF, down 2% from LFMN. To European destinations, flights from LSGG declined by 10% YOY.

Richard Koe, Managing Director of WINGX, comments: “August rounded off a slower summer than last year, flights down by 2%, but still considerably busier than other summers since the 2009 crisis. The growth impetus has come from larger jets, especially in the Charter market; demand for Falcon 2000, Gulfstream 600 and Legacy 600 has stayed resilient this year. The overall decline is due to a prolonged dip in light aircraft activity, especially Owner and Private missions. Geographically, this decline is more severe in Germany and the UK, which reflects the deteriorating conditions faced by the economies in both countries.”

WINGX is a data research and consulting company based in Hamburg, Germany. WINGX analysis provides actionable market intelligence for the business aviation industry. 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.

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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 | 12th September 2019 | Issue #524