Global business jet and turboprop activity in the first 10 days of October was up by 7% compared to the comparable period in October 2019, bouncing up 35% versus the same days in October 2020. Scheduled airline activity is running 30% behind the same trend in October two years ago and cargo traffic has fallen back 8% during the same comparable period.

WingX says that, since the start of the summer, business aviation activity is up 10% and up 14% in terms of business jets only. So far this year, after just over nine months, business jet sectors are up 3% compared to 2019, the equivalent of 73,000 additional sectors flown compared to the first nine months of 2019.

The US is heading into October with a business jet trend ahead of volumes in October 2019, which was the strongest activity month since 2008. Business jet flight hours are up 16% in the last 10 days versus the comparable period in October 2019. Commercial airlines are coming back, now within 20% of pre-pandemic levels in October 2019. Florida is the busiest US state this month, continuing to see record numbers of business jet departures and running 40% above the first 10 days of October 2019. California has seen 8,142 business jet departures this month, up by 17% versus two years ago. Jet sectors flown out of New Jersey this month are down 3% compared to two years ago.

The US charter market continues to drive the market, with demand surging 32% above comparable levels in 2019. Fractional operations are almost as hot, with no sign of activity slowing as the leading operators restrict new registrations. Aircraft management operators are also flying more, with sectors up 15%, and private activity, including corporate and individual flight departments, are now recovering as well. Almost all of the US activity is domestic, with a 17% growth in sectors and 22% growth in terms of flight hours. The average sector length is just 277 nautical miles. International sectors are still much weaker, with 8% fewer international flights compared to 2019.

International activity is on a different trajectory in Europe, rebounding 24% in the first 10 days of October compared to two years ago, and well ahead of the 15% trend for domestic business jet activity. The top seven country flows are all domestic, with intra-Germany business jet flights somewhat slower than two years ago, but UK, Spain and especially Russia and Turkey well up compared to the same days in 2019. The busiest international sectors for business jet flights are to and from France from the UK, Italy and Switzerland. Some airports are seeing a very big increase in international connections in early October versus two years ago: Biggin Hill is up by 60% while Zurich is up by 70%. Airports in and near Istanbul have seen a 60% increase in flights versus October 2019, partly reflecting last weekend's Grand Prix event.

Outside of Europe and the US, October is slightly weaker than it was in 2019 with 3% fewer flights, however the rebound on October 2020 is strong with flights up almost 40% year on year. Canada and Mexico are doing much better than last year but are still a third down on 2019. Brazil has steadily grown activity during the pandemic and this month flights are up 40%, elevating it above Australia for overall business jet utilisation. With travel restrictions still in place, Australia's business jet movements are down by 6% versus the comparable October 2019 period. China, India, UAE and Bahamas are busy markets, with sectors above pre-pandemic levels. The Challenger 600 is the busiest business jet across these regions in October to date, up 31% versus October 2019.