Global business jet traffic declined 4% year-on-year during Week 16 (14–20 April), according to WingX, due mainly to the later timing of Easter in 2024. The US market was down 3% for the week, while Europe saw a 17% fall, ending three weeks of prior growth.

Despite the drop, Easter week (25–31 March) recorded 4% more US departures than the equivalent week in 2024. Florida showed strong leisure-driven activity, with increased flights to the Caribbean. New York State also saw a rise, and Naples to New York along with Fort Lauderdale to New York were noted as particularly high-performing routes.

Charter and fractional sectors matched last year’s levels over the past four weeks. Year to date, global departures totalled 1.1 million, 3% more than the same period last year.

Intra-US flight numbers were down 1% in April, while international activity rose 2%. Flights to Canada dropped 4% but were up 3% to Mexico. Travel to China fell 16%, though China-based business jet operations continue, with 188 jets active, 86 of them Gulfstreams. Most of these trips involved ultra-long-range jets.

Outside the US and Europe, Week 16 departures grew 7% year-on-year. Middle East activity surged 18%, driven by the Saudi F1 Grand Prix in Jeddah. Asia was up 2%, Africa 14% and South America 1%.

In Europe, Germany and the UK saw drops of 35% and 13% respectively, again attributed to Easter falling later. Despite this, leisure travel from the UK to Spain and Portugal remained strong. Year-to-date flight hours in Europe match last year, although overall departures are 1% behind.

WingX managing director Richard Koe says: “The big dip in YOY traffic this week may appear to be the fallout from broader economic concerns but in fact we are only seeing the usual slowdown during Easter holidays, and indeed business jet flights this Easter are comfortably ahead of Easter week last year. For the month of April, and for the year to date, business jet demand is still trending ahead of last year.”