WINGX Global Market Tracker:

Thanksgiving bizjet activity hits new peak

In Week 48 (25th November-1st December), there were 67,756 business jet departures globally, on par with Week 48 in 2023, according to WINGX's weekly Global Market Tracker published today.

There were almost 7,000 fewer sectors compared to the previous week, largely driven by the weeks which the US Thanksgiving holiday fell on.

Year to date, global bizjet activity is 1% behind last year, November’s trends matched this, however flight hours in November dropped 2% behind last year.

Global business jet departures by country 1st January-1st December 2024.

click image to enlarge

North America

Week 48 in North America saw a 13% decline compared to the previous week, driven by the US Thanksgiving holiday, sectors dropped 2% compared to the same week in 2023. Major States California and Texas saw a notable week to week drop due to the holiday; however, Florida saw a significant increase in activity.

Focussing on the US Thanksgiving holiday period (28th November-1st December), there was a record number of bizjet departures from US airports. During this year’s holiday period, 24,181 bizjet departures were recorded from US airports, 36% more than the Thursday - Sunday
period in 2019, 12% more than the 2023 Thursday - Sunday period.

Florida was the busiest destination for bizjets during this year’s holiday, almost 3,500 bizjet arrivals into the sunshine State from other US airports. Just 7% of bizjet flights from the US were to international destinations, the Bahamas being a popular destination. Other Caribbean islands benefiting from Thanksgiving related traffic. There was an even split of Part 135 and Part 91 activity during the holiday period, 39% and 38% market share of departures respectively.

Scheduled airlines also recorded year on year growth during the Thanksgiving holiday period, departures were up 3% compared to last year, up 6% compared to the 2019 holiday.

Business jet departures from the US during Thanksgiving Holiday periods (Thursday-Sunday), 2019 through to 2024.

click image to enlarge

Year to date, business jet activity in the United States is 1% below last year, November matching this trend. This year, there have been 106 active tails of Gulfstream G700 aircraft departing airports in the US. So far this year the G700 has been averaging 30 hours per tail sign, less than a third of the average for the Ultra-long-range segment in the US this year.

Since the US election, bizjet activity from 6th November through 1st December is 1% ahead of the same dates last year.

Ultra long range bizjet types, departures from United States, 1st January-1st December 2024.

click image to enlarge

Europe

In Europe, bizjet activity in Week 48 fell 2% compared to W48 in 2023, several key markets falling significantly. For example, the UK saw a 13% decrease compared to W48 last year, Germany recording an 11% decrease compared to W48 last year. Elsewhere, France saw an 8% increase, Italy a 12% increase.

Year to date bizjet activity in Europe is also 1% behind last year, November ending 1% ahead of last year. The UK was the busiest market in November, bizjets flying 3% more than last year. Despite being the third largest European bizjet market in November, Germany’s declines continued, finishing the month 6% below last year. Germany’s declines were most apparent in the Corporate Flight departments, sectors fell 18% compared to last year, just 122 active tails, 17% fewer than last year. There was notable growth in Italy
and Spain, both recording 5% gains on last year.

European bizjet departures by airport, November 2024.

click image to enlarge

Rest of the World

Outside of Europe and the United States, bizjet activity in W48 fell 2% compared W48 in 2023, representing a drop of around 130 departures, this is a slight improvement on the ROW trend in November, where sectors fell 3% compared to last year. Bizjet activity in the Middle East
saw a large drop in W48 compared to last year, sectors fell 18% compared to W48 in 2023. In Africa, a drop of 7% was recorded, elsewhere positive signs in Asia and South America where there was 5% growth. Across the ROW region November was a mixed bagged, top market Mexico in slight decline, 2nd ranked Brazil with strong growth.

Bizjet departures by country, outside of US and Europe, November 2024.

click image to enlarge

Managing Director Richard Koe comments: “The Thanksgiving holiday saw a record surge in bizjet traffic, notably in Florida. Activity in the US since the election is positive year on year, bucking the overall decline in bizjet demand in this year compared to last year.

"European bizjet demand is fragile, particularly in the German corporate market. In other regions, Brazil continues to see strong growth this year."

WINGX GmbH
Lilienstraße 11
20095 Hamburg
Germany.

+49 40 23 96 85 05

BlueSky Business Aviation News | 5th December 2024 | Issue #775