Global business jet activity rose 5% year-on-year in Week 9 (24 February – 2 March), according to WingX’s Global Market Tracker. This marks the strongest year-on-year growth since late January 2025, bringing year-to-date activity 2% ahead of 2024 levels.

In the US, business jet departures in Florida and Texas surged 6% and 8% respectively. Part 135 and 91K operations were particularly strong, up 8% from last year. Despite a 1% decline in February overall, US business jet activity remained 27% above 2019 levels. Since the US election in November, departures and flight hours have trended 4% higher than the same period in 2023 and 2024, with super-midsize jets leading the growth.

Europe saw mixed results. While departures remained flat overall in Week 9, commercial AOC flights dropped 3%. The UK’s business jet activity fell 1%, while France and Germany saw steeper declines of 4% and 6% respectively. In contrast, Switzerland and Italy posted 8% and 9% increases. February departures fell 4% year-on-year, with Germany down 11% and France and the UK maintaining slight year-to-date growth. Spain and Belgium were the only top 10 markets to record annual gains, with Spain’s domestic flights up 8%.

Outside the US and Europe, business jet departures climbed 7% in Week 9. Africa and South America saw significant increases, up 21% and 30% respectively, while Mexico held steady. Brazil and India reported 12% and 13% growth, whereas Australia fell 8%. The Middle East and Asia saw declines of 11% and 4% respectively.

Richard Koe, managing director of WingX, says, “Business jet activity has remained very firm in the last three months, representing a genuine rebound from flatline trends in 2023 and 2024. In the most recent week, demand was notably strong to and from Washington DC, unsurprisingly. European markets are generally behind at the start of March, with Germany the most obvious laggard.”