Despite regulatory uncertainty in the face of
protracted Brexit negotiations, WINGX reports that 2017 saw business aviation
activity to and from the UK rank among the top three countries for growth in
Europe alongside France and Germany thanks to an additional 375 departures per
month compared with 2016.
According to
Richard Koe,
Managing Director of WINGX, much of the UK’s 4.3% year-on-year business aviation
growth during 2017 was driven by London, which saw an impressive 5.5% increase
in overall activity. London Biggin Hill Airport saw the most substantial rise,
reporting a 15.6% boost in business aviation flights, followed by London
Stansted and Farnborough, which witnessed a 12.9% and 9.4% upturn in annual
flight activity respectively.
The UK’s leadership in business jet activity
is so far showing no sign of abating this year, with WINGX revealing that in
January 2018 London airports saw over 3,800 business aviation departures -
almost double the number in Paris, the next busiest city. Charter demand
continues to drive the numbers; AOC flights in the UK were up 10% YOY in
January. Interestingly, Koe notes that over 60% of the UK’s business aviation
departures are commercially-operated, far higher than either France or Germany.
Trends indicate that the Light Jet segment is
the most active within this market, accounting for 19% of all commercial sectors
flown from the UK last year. Koe says within this segment, the most active
aircraft types flying in 2017 were the Cessna Citation CJ2 and the Embraer
Phenom 300. The next busiest was the Citation Bravo, which saw over 1,500
departures out of the UK, an increase in activity of more than 50% from 2016.
The charter market also saw particularly
impressive growth in 2017, increasing by 8.3% compared with the previous year.
Looking ahead, Koe predicts that with the authorisation of single-engine
commercial operations lowering the product price-point in mid-2017, 2018 will be
the year to see whether the popularity of the leading single-engine types
amongst owners. Pilatus PC-12 flights, for example were up another 13% last
year, furthering broadening the appeal of business aviation.
WINGX also confirms larger cabin activity out
of the UK remains stable and has seen 5% growth during the last 12 months led by
a few select aircraft types, such as the Embraer Legacy 600 and the Bombardier
Global Express.
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