WingX data reveals fractional operators going strong, charter off its peak, while demand wobbles in Europe | Press Release

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Press Release

Issued by WingX Advance.

February 15, 2023

WingX data reveals fractional operators going strong, charter off its peak, while demand wobbles in Europe

According to WingX's weekly Global Market Tracker worldwide business jet sectors in week six of 2023, 6th February through 12th February, amounted to 67,178 sectors. This represents an 11% increase compared to week five of 2023, a 3% decrease compared to week six in 2022 and a 34% increase compared week six of 2021 and is 20% ahead of week six in 2019. The global trend in the last four weeks is 1% ahead of a comparative 2022. For commercially certified business jet traffic, including Part 135 and Part 91K, the week six trend was down 9% compared to the same dates in 2022. Business jet and turboprop activity in the first 13 days of February is 1% ahead of the same 13-day period last year and 13% above 2019. Between 1st and 13th February, scheduled airline traffic was up 27% compared to February 2022 but 16% below 2019 levels.

In North America 52,133 business jet sectors were flown in week six, a 10% increase compared to week five and a 6% decrease compared to the same dates in 2022. In the last four weeks activity has dipped 1% behind last year.

93,500 business jet sectors have flown out of airports in North America in February 2023 so far, which is 1% below the same 13-day period in February 2022 and 12% more than 2019. So far this month private flight departments and fractional sectors are up 7% and 14% compared to last year respectively and are 17% and 36% above 2019. Corporate flight departments are flying 5% less than in February 2019. Branded charter sectors are down 17% compared to February last year, although they are 13% above 2019.

Super Bowl LVII was held in Glendale, Arizona last weekend on Sunday 12th February, and nearby airports less than 30 miles from the event (KGEU, KLUF, KGYR, KDVT and KPHX) saw an influx of business jet arrivals over the event weekend. 228 business jets were parked at nearby airports 2.5 hours prior to kick-off, decreasing to 67 parked business jets 19.5 hours after kick-off. This year's event was the fourth busiest in the last five years for business jet arrivals during the event weekend, with arrivals to event airports down 25% compared to the 2022 event in Los Angeles. The 2020 Super Bowl in Miami has the record number of arrivals into nearby airports during the event weekend.

In Europe 9,690 business jet sectors were flown in week six, a 19% increase compared to week five but a 4% decrease compared to the same dates in 2022. In the last four weeks activity has dipped 5% behind last year. In the opening 13 days of February 2023, business jet activity is trailing last year by 8%, although it is 10% above 2019. Germany and Spain are the weakest markets compared to last year. Excluding Russia, activity in Europe is 5% below last year but 13% ahead of 2019. Year-to-date business jet sectors from Russia are down 70% compared to a comparable 2022 and down 62% versus a comparable 2019.

Activity in Turkey is almost double compared to the same 13-day period in February 2022. Following the Turkey–Syria earthquake earlier this month, business jets have been assisting with humanitarian efforts. Ambulance and medical operators are flying 188% more sectors this month compared to last year, while government and military operators are up 415% compared to last year.

In week six, nameley 6th February through 12th February, activity in Africa was 17% ahead of the same dates last year, Asia was 31% higher and the Middle East up 56% while South America was 35% ahead. The rest of the world countries with the largest gains over pre-covid February 2019 are Brazil, India and Australia. Year-to- date business jet sectors in China are 25% above a comparable last year and 4% above a comparable 2019. The busiest airport for business jet departures so far this year in China is Beijing (ZBAA), with 229 outbound flights up 19% compared to last year.

Richard Koe, WingX managing director, comments “Global business jet activity is flat this February compared to February last year, which maintains a healthy 12% gain over February 2019. Charter is the relative weak spot, coming off huge highs in the last 12 months. The earthquake disaster in Turkey and Syria has catalysed very high levels of medical and ambulance specialist business jet activity, representing more than 20% of total activity out of Turkey this month.”