Data from WingX indicates that business aviation in Brazil and Colombia has shown some resilience amid the COVD-19 crisis, but concedes that the market in Mexico remains ‘weak’, with a June flight deficit of 61 per cent. Colombia has in fact seen an increase in flying so far in 2020 versus 2019, up 12.1 per cent. Overall there have been more than 52,000 business aviation flights so far this year, down from 91,000 by this point in 2019. A lack of arrivals from Europe (down 63.6 per cent) has damaged revenues.

Year on year, private flying in Latin America was down 48.4 per cent in June. Compared with the global YOY average (-29.8 per cent) and the global year to date figure (-31.3 per cent), it seems that South America’s recovery is lagging behind. Although pent up demand could lead to a surge in flights, this is likely to tail off from August as the summer season comes to an end.

The Phenom 300 has been the busiest type in the region, although this sector did not experience any growth, and the Pilatus PC-12 and Cessna 208 Caravan have also been popular. Although Mexico had the biggest drop in flights, it has still been the busiest market in South America, while French Guiana recorded the largest YOY increase. By some distance, the most popular city pair in June was Del Norte International, Monterrey-Brownsville South Padre Island International, Texas, while flights to and from Toluca have fallen. Re-establishing connections with customers in North America could yet enable Latam to bounce back.