Business Aviation Monitor – July 2018

The Football World Cup helped in boosting business aviation activity to its highest ever monthly level in July, with business jets 6% busier than back in 2008. There was balanced growth in large, midsize and small jet activity, with continued shift in demand towards Charter, although Private flights also up. As with last year, the impetus for growth this summer is the high-end leisure market, with the distinction that Mykonos rather than Ibiza is attracting the most growth.

94,002 business aviation departures in Europe in July marks a new record for activity in Europe, likewise the 60,178 of these flights operated by business jets. YOY growth in total activity was 4% this month, taking the YTD trend to +3.0%.

The busiest country was France, although demand was down by 1% YOY. Other top markets had moderate-to-strong growth, strongest for UK and Germany, flights up 7% YOY. Greece came in as 7th busiest country this month, with growth of 11% YOY.

The hosting of the Football World Cup in Russia was reflected in 26% increase in YOY flights between Russia and Europe. Flights from France to Russia were up 7%, from Spain to Russia up by 17%, and from the UK to Russia, flights were up by more than 130%.

The decline in France this month was due to Large Jets flying less, also the case in Italy and Spain. In contrast, Large Jet flights out of Switzerland and Greece were up by close to 10%, and from Russia, up by 36%. Small and Midsize activity was up 9% in Italy.

Business aviation flights within Europe were up 4%, stronger in Western than Southern Europe. European flights to North America were up by 5%, in contrast to 1% declining trend over L12M. Middle East connections were down 13% this month.

Charter/AOC activity was almost 60% of all activity this month, growing 3.9% YOY. Business jets operated most of this activity, these flights up by 5%. Private Mission business jet flights were up 2%, a 4th consecutive month of growth vs 2017.

The biggest markets for Charter/AOC demand this month were Germany, UK, Spain and Greece, all increasing. Largest growth came from Russia, with Charters this month up more than 30%. Private Mission activity was up in top markets France, Germany, UK.

OEM fleet activity was up by most for Embraer, +20% for business jet sectors, and Pilatus, flights up 25%. Gulfstream flight activity was up by 12%, whereas growth in Cessna and Dassault flights weres under 2%. Hawker flights declined 5%, Piaggio flights by 3%.

London airports had double the activity of any other city, although Paris has stronger growth, +12% for Small and Midsize jets. Flights from Nice were down, but out of Farnborough, Biggin Hill, Vnukovo and Mykonos, activity increased more than 15% YOY.