Global business jet departures rose 3% year-on-year in Week 18, matching the pace for the full month of April. The 314,522 flights recorded in April came just shy of matching the all-time April high set in 2022. So far this year, large cabin business jet flying is up 3.8%, with mid and light jet activity rising 2.7% and turboprops 1%, according to WingX’s latest tracker.

North America saw a 1% increase in Week 18 traffic, led by Florida and Texas, both of which posted 6% growth. Fractional fleets contributed nearly a quarter of all US business jet departures in April, flying 8% more sectors and 10% more hours than last year. Corporate and managed fleets, by contrast, flew 10% and 6% fewer hours respectively.

April’s busiest US events included the Miami Grand Prix and the Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting in Omaha. Miami saw 1,314 business jet arrivals during race week, up 2% on last year.

Europe rebounded in Week 18 with 6% more flights than the same week in 2024, despite a 0.9% dip over the year to date. The UK, France and Switzerland posted growth of 4%, 6% and 10% respectively, while Germany’s Week 18 traffic slumped 11%, with charter demand especially soft.

Flight hours across European business jets rose 2% in April despite a slight dip in total flights. Super midsize hours rose 9% but very light and entry level jets flew significantly fewer hours year-on-year.

Rest of world activity increased 12% in Week 18, with South America up 20%, Africa up 17% and the Middle East up 13%. Asia saw a modest 1% gain, with India’s domestic activity falling 2% and international growth concentrated on links to the UAE and Thailand.

Richard Koe, WingX managing director, comments: “Business jet demand has tapered a little in the last couple of weeks but is still trending above 2024, with activity in Texas and Florida hubs exceeding 5%, and fractional operations continuing to grow close to 10% this year. Europe had a strong week, but April trends indicate a flat market.”