In Week 24 (9-15 June), global business jet activity grew two per cent compared to Week 24 last year, according to WingX's weekly Global Market Tracker, marking the eighth consecutive week of year-on-year growth. Global Part 135 and 91K activity grew three per cent compared to Week 24 last year, and the last four-week trend is now seven per cent ahead of comparable last year. The most recent week includes the outbreak of conflict between Israel and Iran, and this has been reflected in almost zero business jet flights out of Israel, along with a big reduction in flights from Turkey, correlating with a significant rise in business jet activity in the Gulf countries. Year to date (1 January-15 June), over 1.7 million business jet sectors have been flown globally, which is three per cent more than the comparable period of 2024, and flying hours are also up three per cent compared to last year. As we approach the midpoint of June (1-15), business jet activity is four per cent ahead of comparable June last year.

Kananaskis, Alberta, played host to the 50th G7 Summit 15-17 June. The nearest major airport to the event was Calgary International, which recorded a relatively normal few days prior to the event, with no notable spikes in business jet activity. So far this month business jet arrivals there are down five per cent compared to June last year, and so far this year arrivals are down one per cent compared to last year.

In Week 24 business jet activity in the US grew four per cent compared to Week 24 last year, with the last four-week trend standing at +six per cent compared to last year. Part 135 and Part 91K sectors grew six per cent compared to last year, with the four-week trend standing at +nine per cent. There were strong gains across the core US business jet states of Florida and California, where departures were up seven per cent and four per cent respectively. In contrast activity in Texas fell four per cent compared to last year.

Oakmont in Pennsylvania played host to the US Open Golf tournament last week (12-15 June). The two nearby airports, Pittsburgh International and Allegheny County saw significant rises in business jet arrivals due to the event. During the event week (9-15), 452 business jet arrivals were recorded across the two airports, up from 259 arrivals during the previous week. Most arrivals came from fractional fleets, followed by branded charter fleets, and when combined these two operator types accounted for 234 of the arrivals last week.

Across the US this month, all major business jet states with the exception of North Carolina are ahead of last year, however, corporate flight activity this month dropped 10 per cent, with aircraft management fleets flying four per cent fewer departures than last year. Month to date California business jet departures are up four per cent compared to last year, and the busiest city Los Angeles is six per cent ahead of last year, with particularly strong growth out of Santa Barbara, where departures are 11 per cent up on last year. In contrast, Napa has seen departures fall by 20 per cent.

In Week 24, European business jet activity decreased by one per cent compared to Week 24 last year, and aircraft flying on a commercial AOC flew two per cent fewer flights than Week 24 last year. Germany recorded a 27 per cent decline last week, with the last four-week trend on par with last year. Germany's Week 27 decline is due to the surge in activity for the Euros football tournament, which began in June of last year.

Month to date, European business jet activity is five per cent ahead of June last year, and flying hours are four per cent ahead of last year. The entry level and very light jet segments have the weakest demand, but super midsize activity is well ahead of last year. France is the busiest market this month, with departures five per cent ahead of last year, while Italy and Spain are recording strong growth, with departures 16 per cent and 20 per cent ahead of last year respectively. Italy's growth is being driven by YOY growth in flights to and from Olbia and Naples, where flights are 24 and 47 per cent respectively ahead of June last year.

Outside of Europe and the US, business jet activity in the rest of world regions was two per cent below of Week 24 last year. Asia recorded a three per cent decline in Week 24, flights from Africa were down by five per cent, while there was a nine per cent decline from airports in the Middle East. During the full week (9-15 June) there were 69 business jet departures recorded from airports in Israel, down from 89 during the previous week, with flights over the last few days almost at zero following the closure of its airspace as conflict escalated with Iran. The most popular destinations from Israel last week have been Cyprus, Greece and Italy. So far in June business jet activity out of Israel is down 16% compared to last year; private flight department activity has fallen by 52 per cent compared to June last year, while corporate flight activity has fallen 61 per cent. Elsewhere, South America was on the only ROW region with growth in YOY activity in Week 24, with departures up seven per cent compared to last year.

Richard Koe, WingX managing director, comments: “Unsurprisingly business jet activity has slowed in the Middle East as a result of the conflict between Israel and Iran, noting also a spike in business jet flights from Gulf countries. In Europe, the German market was down more than a quarter from its highs during the Euros in 2024. Business jet demand in the US keeps on growing. The US Open was a showcase for spikes in business jet attendance at airports closest to blue riband sporting events.”