In Week 50 of 2024 (9-15 December), 72,682 business jet departures were recorded globally, according to WingX's weekly Global Market Tracker, representing two per cent more than Week 50 last year and inflating the four-week trend to five per cent growth compared to 2023. Global Part 135 and 91K activity was up one per cent on last year, with the last four-week trend at plus seven per cent. Globally, year-to-date there have been just over 3.5 million business jet departures, which is one per cent less than last year.

Business jet activity in North America rose three per cent compared to Week 50 in 2023, and the four-week trend was up seven per cent compared to last year. Part 135 and 91K activity in the US grew three per cent compared to last year, with the four-week trend stretching out to plus nine per cent.

Florida and Texas saw six and five per cent gains compared to last year in Week 50, while California was on par with last year. In Texas the usual hotspots of activity, namely Dallas, Houston and Fort Worth, were ahead of Week 50 last year, with small declines in San Antonio. Part 91 operators accounted for 58 per cent of business jet departures in Texas in Week 50, and Florida was the top out-of-state destination across all the business jet operator types.

Post US-election, business jet activity is now trending three per cent ahead of a comparable last year. Post-election, NetJets and Flexjet have been big winners. Since early November trans-Atlantic flying is up five per cent compared to last year, with US-UK the busiest route, accounting for 41 per cent of all business jet trans-Atlantic flights since the election. Connections from US to France are down versus a comparable last year, but there's strong growth in flights to Italy and Ireland.

In Europe, business jet activity in Week 50 fell three per cent compared to Week 50 in 2023, with the overall pattern showing weakness in Central and Northern Europe, and strong demand in the Mediterranean regions. For example, the UK recorded two per cent growth and Italy eight per cent growth in departures compared to last year; in contrast, Germany recorded a one per cent decline and Switzerland an 11 per cent decline. Ultra long range jet traffic is stand-out strong, particularly on US (N) and Malta (9H) registered aircraft.

Outside of Europe and the US, business jet activity in Week 50 was four per cent higher than Week 50 in 2023. Most of the growth came from the Middle East, where business jet departures were 18 per cent higher than last year. Asia also had a strong week, with business jet activity up 15 per cent YOY. In Africa activity was 22 per cent behind last year and South America two per cent below last year.

The Middle East region benefitted from the afterglow of hosting the 16th Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Dubai also saw a significant surge in activity, linked to the 2024 edition of the MEBAA show, which was held 10-12 December. Business jet arrivals into Dubai airports in Week 50 peaked on the 13th of December, coinciding with the Geminids meteor shower event, which reportedly drew in many visitors.

WingX MD Richard Koe comments: “Texas, California and Florida are seeing trends of close to 10 per cent in terms of year-on-year growth in business jet departures in the last four weeks, testament to solid improvements in consumer and business confidence in the wake of Trump's win. More than usual numbers of US tourists have flown to Europe in the last week, notably more to the UK and Italy than to France and Germany. The Middle East saw a strong bump in YOY business jet flights coinciding with the MEBAA show in Dubai.”