WingX sees business aviation activity growth pick up in September | Press Release

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Press Release

Issued by WingX Advance.

October 1, 2018

WingX sees business aviation activity growth pick up in September

According to WingX's latest monthly Business Aviation Monitor there were 83,848 business aviation departures in Europe this month, representing 4% growth YOY, slightly ahead of YTD trend. 63% of this month's activity was jet-operated, this activity increasing 3% YOY. The last 12 month trends are now strongest in Medium Jet category.

UK and Switzerland had slight declines in departures this month, although both have YTD trends of around 3%. France and Germany had solid growth around 5%, with the strongest growth this month coming from Italy and Spain, respectively 7% and 9%. Some smaller markets had strong growth, with business aviation activity up by 10% in Netherlands and Ireland, 22% from Croatia. Activity out of Finland was up by 60%, mainly Prop and Piston. Flights out of Turkey slumped by 15% this month.

Large Jet activity was up only 1% this month, with flat trends in France and Germany, and a 5% decline in the UK, 8% declining out of London. But Large Jet activity was up by 5% in Switzerland, 9% in Italy, 18% YOY from Spain. Flights operated within Europe were up 4% this month, and flights to North America bounced back with 5% YOY increase, against 1% YTD decline. Flights to Middle East dropped off by 20%, trailing 11% YTD. Flights to Africa are trending up by 8% YTD.

Charter/AOC activity was up by 2% YOY, weaker than recent trend. France and Germany were the busiest markets, trending around 3.5%. Spain, Italy and Netherlands had strongest growth in Charter/AOC. Out of the UK, Charters declined 6% YOY.

Bizliner, Entry Level and Very Light Jet activity declined this month YOY, and Heavy Jet sectors were flat Super Midsize jets had by far the most growth, up 17% YOY. Other segments had solid growth, notably Midsize jets, sectors up 10% in 1.5-3H sectors.

Cessna and Hawker fleets had flat activity YOY, Gulfstream and Bombardier jets gaining 4% in sectors, Dassault seeing a drop of 4%, and Embraer´s activity up by 17%. Embraer had 26% increase in Charter/AOC, whilst Dassault flights were -9% in this Mission. Le Bourget continued to see strong growth, departures up by 14% YOY. LFMN, EGLF, LIRA and EGKB also had strong growth. Heavy declines at EGGW, LSGG and LSZH. Flights out of LIEO were up by 22%, with 65% of these departures as Charter/AOC.

Richard Koe, managing director of WINGX Advance, comments: “This month saw European business aviation trends return to strong growth, flights up by 4% in the busiest ever September. There was a distinctive pattern to the activity, with relatively strong growth in Private flights, whilst Charter flights are tailing off after the summer. Very Light Jet activity has slumped since the demise of Blink, but Light Jet demand is still strong, especially in the Charter market. Large Jet activity was flat, notably declining in the UK, mainly effective at Luton.”