Global business jet traffic rose 4% year-on-year for the week of 26 May to 1 June, according to WingX. The US saw 5% growth compared to the same week in 2023, with strong activity in the Part 135 and 91K markets. Florida and California each recorded 5% growth, while Texas airports were 2% higher. Over the last four weeks, traffic in Florida and California was 5% ahead of last year, with Texas up 4%. Business jet departures from Washington DC rose 18% in May, with notable growth on routes to New York, Pittsburgh and San Francisco.

US activity year-to-date is 3% ahead of 2023. Since the 6 November election, it is 4% ahead. Most jet types have seen increases, though entry-level jets declined 8%. Part 91K activity rose 11%, Part 135 by 3%, and Part 91 by 1%.

In Europe, activity for the same week rose 3% year-on-year. Germany posted a 25% gain, while France, Switzerland and the UK declined. UK departures fell 9%, pulling the four-week trend to -2%. French and Swiss airports were down 5% and 7% respectively. The UEFA Champions League final in Munich drove a surge in arrivals, with 136 on 31 May alone and 328 over the weekend, up from 71 the weekend prior.

Year-to-date European activity is 0.4% down on last year. France remained flat, while the UK and Spain posted small gains. Germany, Italy and Switzerland saw declines.

Elsewhere, flights outside North America and Europe made up 9% of global activity in Week 22, a 9% increase year-on-year. Africa saw the biggest growth at 15%, followed by Latin America (14%) and the Middle East (13%). Asia was the only region to decline, down 2%. Year-to-date, the rest of world region is up 4%, driven by growth in Brazil, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

WingX managing director Richard Koe says: “Despite growing economic headwinds, which may be affecting aircraft transactions, business jet flight activity bounced up this week, with May year-on-year activity keeping pace with the strong Q1 pace for aircraft utilisation, leading operators continuing to fly at record levels.”