According to WingX Advance's latest monthly Business Aviation Monitor there were 72,640 business aviation flight departures in Europe in September 2015, slightly more than August, but down four per cent year on year, taking the year-to-date trend for 2015 to -1.4 per cent.

The UK was the weakest market this month, down eight per cent year on year, with almost 800 fewer flights. Other major markets with similarly large declines this month included Italy, Spain and Switzerland.

Most secondary markets were also well back this month, with Russia back 20 per cent YOY, and Turkey back by 11 per cent YOY.

On the brighter side, France and Germany were only slightly down this month, and both, as well as the UK, are still ahead in the year to date.

Western Europe is relatively the most resilient region, down two per cent but holding its own. Southern European activity contracted sharply this month. Inbound traffic from the Middle East, US, Africa and CIS was all down YOY.

The core of the decline is from the business jet fleet, with flights down eight per cent this month. More specifically, the heavy jet segment's activity was down 15 per cent in September, and heavy jet charters fell almost a fifth YOY.

MD Richard Koe says: “The summer's leisure activity has been softer this year. There are still a few bright spots. Ultra-long range activity continues to grow, the super-midsize segment is reinvigorated with new aircraft, and the Phenom light jets are in great demand.”