Press Release

Issued by Victor.

December 14, 2015

Global on-demand private jet charter service Victor today announced the release of its first-ever industry report, 'The Victor Private Jet Travel Report 2015', which identifies new industry trends and forecasts for key British, European and Russian/Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) business aviation (private jet travel) markets.

The report reveals new growth trends in business aviation, with signs of recovery despite challenges around evolving customer demand and CIS impact. Regional breakdown sees private jet travel (including both private and commercial/AOC charter) in western Europe up 2.8% year-on-year (YOY) with continued UK and Ireland growth, and resilience in France despite a weak economy. Northern and central Europe is up 1.5% YOY with Germany and Austria in gradual recovery mode, Scandinavia strong and Switzerland slowing. Southern Europe is up 1% YOY with growth sustained in Spain, but weak in Greece, Turkey and Italy. CIS however is down 25% with Russia in recession, Ukraine near-bankrupt and negative spill over across most member states.

Further findings include:

- Top three private jet travel markets: 1) France (generating 19.2% of flights); 2) Germany (15.4%); 3) UK (12.8%)

- Busiest days for private jet travel: 1) 23rd May (Monaco Grand Prix-related, 2,221 flights); 2) 20th & 27th June (summer holidays begin, 2,160 and 2,319 respectively)

- Top three airports for high-season private jet travel: 1) Nice (France, 13,250 flights); 2) Olbia (Italy, 6,220); 3) Ibiza (Spain, 5,634)

- Europe's most popular private jets by capability: 1) Light (capacity: 4-8 passengers); 2) Longer-range (capacity: 12-15 passengers)

- Europe's most popular private jets by category: 60% business jet versus 40% turboprop and piston

- Europe's most popular private aircraft-type: King Air 200 (50,000 departures in 2014 alone)

- Europe's three fastest-growing country flows: 1) Norway-Turkey (up 100%); 2) Turkey-Belgium (up 34.6%); 3) Norway-Italy (up 31%)

- Europe's busiest private jet route: Paris-Le Bourget (France)-Geneva Cointrin International (Switzerland).

Commenting on the report's findings, Victor founder and ceo Clive Jackson says: “The private jet industry is experiencing tremendous change. In terms of charter, technological innovation is turning the traditional global framework of brokers and operators on its head, and therefore the manner in which travellers fly privately. The kind of tech-driven, on-demand charter service Victor offers has made private jet travel vastly more transparent and convenient. With Victor, the flier is in total control. Whether they book by app, web or phone they have full disclosure of pricing and aircraft details across more than 130 trusted partner operators. Supported by an experienced, 24-7 customer service team, travellers can enjoy a truly flexible, high quality alternative to fixed ownership and other methods of charter.

"With private charter flights continuing to increase across Europe, particularly over the summer months, it is clear that more travellers, both in and outside of the traditional high and ultra-high net worth jet-setter demographic, are saving time and maximising value by tailoring the private jet experience that totally suits their needs.”

WINGX Advance md Richard Koe says: “The business aviation market is finally coming back in Europe in 2015. This recovery is obscured by the drop-off in the Russian market, which has a disproportionate effect on longer-range jets, particularly in the summer season. In western Europe in particular, the light jet and turboprop market is leading the underlying recovery. This is less apparent in business markets such as Germany, but clear enough in the pattern of leisure flying during the summer. Sun-spot destinations around the Mediterranean, such as Ibiza, Cannes and Majorca, have seen big increases in activity. Much of this activity is ad hoc charter, which appears to indicate that business jet users are coming back into the market to shop around for the best-value and most flexible way to rent an aircraft on a case-by-case basis.”

The Victor Private Jet Travel Report 2015 is a business aviation (private jet travel) industry report, based on research conducted by WINGX Advance. Report findings are based on 2014 and 2015 data drawn from national private jet travel associations, Eurocontrol, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), covering 50 European, Middle Eastern and North African national territories. The data covers all types of private (owner) and commercial (AOC) flights (AOC flights include charter and special mission activity such as medical flights, and exclude maintenance and training flights). Flight activity analysis pertains to all Instrument Flight Rules (IFR)-registered flights, within Eurocontrol territories and between Eurocontrol territories and the rest of the world. Analysis covers all single and multi-engine aircraft categories, including business jets, turboprops and pistons, equating to over 300 aircraft-types. Coverage of jet-types used by commercial airlines is not comprehensive, but does capture, for example, Embraer Legacy (ERJ135) Bombardier 850 (CRJ200), A318 Elite, Airbus 319 and BBJ3 flights. Jet aircraft activity is segmented by cabin/range capability: airline (bizliner), ultra long range (ULR), heavy, super mid-size, mid-size, super light, light, entry-level, and very light. Aircraft use is measured by number of flight departures and the related number of flight hours. Analysis does not include over-flights. It does include arrival flights from all global International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) regions into Europe.