This website uses cookies
More information
The monthly news publication for aviation professionals.

ACE 2026 - September 8th

Related information from the Handbook...

WingX

Data Services

BAN's World Gazetteer

Germany
The bimonthly news publication for aviation professionals.

Request your printed copy

South America and Africa lead gains as global traffic holds steady
Flight volumes in Week 29 remained level with last year, but regional disparities widened as Latin American and African activity surged while North America and Europe dipped.

Global business jet activity reached 77,336 departures in Week 29, according to WingX's Weekly Global Market Tracker. This figure marked a 1% increase over the previous week and was flat compared to the same week in 2024. Activity remained below this cycle’s 52-week high of 78,808 recorded in Week 26, but well above the trough of 60,521 in Week 2.

The rolling four-week total showed global flights running 3% ahead of the equivalent period last year. For 1–20 July, business jet movements were up 3.6% versus 2024. The number of active jets globally rose to 18,354, a 2.2% year-on-year increase.

North American activity fell 1% compared to Week 29 in 2024, with the United States down 2% and Florida dropping 6%, underperforming the national trend. However, the four-week trend remained positive at +2%.

In Europe, flights declined 1%, and commercial AOC operations dipped 2% year-on-year. Performance diverged regionally, with Germany falling 25% and Italy up 7%.

Outside North America and Europe, business jet departures advanced 9.5% over the same week last year. South America saw the most significant rise, up 29%, followed by Africa at +20%. Asia was down 4% while the Middle East dipped 1%.

Major golf tournaments continue to influence traffic trends, with The Open Championship at Royal Portrush driving a sharp increase in flights to nearby airports. Between 16–20 July, Belfast International, City of Derry and George Best Belfast City airports saw 88 flights, a 252% increase year-on-year. Belfast International accounted for 45 of those movements, up 221% over 2024.

Richard Koe, WingX managing director, says, “Despite some softness in mature markets this week, the fundamental drivers of business aviation remain intact. We're seeing healthy fleet utilisation and geographic expansion that suggest the industry remains on its sustainable growth trajectory.”

Other News
 
Market intelligence is centred through JetNet JIQ
July 26, 2026
JIQ draws on data from across the entire JetNet Group; JetNet itself, WingX and ADS-B Exchange. It offers a combined view of the market and aircraft activity, forming the most complete picture of business aviation.
Middle East demonstrates some resilience as Africa climbs
July 12, 2026
World Cup delivers business jet surge across 16 U.S. host cities
June 29, 2026
The opening days of the 2026 FIFA World Cup have produced measurable but uneven business jet traffic gains across host cities, with Seattle roughly doubling normal daily activity for the USA vs Australia match.
World Cup and SpaceX excitement lift business jet activity
June 22, 2026
Time to crunch the numbers as football World Cup looms
May 17, 2026
For 2026, more than 73,000 match-day related business jet flights are forecasted across 16 host cities, with New York accounting for 27,900. Charter and fractional providers stand to capture additional revenue.
WingX sees World Cup driving major business jet demand
May 10, 2026