As predicted, the Olympics venues have attracted business jet arrivals from all over the world as dignitaries, heads of corporations and celebrities flocked to the opening ceremony and sporting events. The Olympics appears to be very popular with US visitors, many coming via the UK. The Olympics bounce is helping the market recover from a relatively weak H124, with year-to-date trends now flat compared to last year.
Global
In Week 30 (22nd – 28th July), there were 74,198 business jet sectors flown, on par with W30 of 2023. Part 135 & 91K bizjet activity grew 2% compared to W30 in 2023, reaching 39,722 sectors flown. Globally the last four-week trend for bizjet departures is also on par with last year, over the last four weeks Part 135 & 91K departures are 2% ahead of last year. Nearly a quarter of bizjet flights in Week 30 were operated by aircraft management programs.
North America
In Week 30, there were 50,871 bizjet sectors recorded departing North American airports, on par with Week 30 last year. The US, the world’s busiest bizjet market, Week 30 activity rose 1% compared to last year, just under 49,000 departures were recorded.
94% of bizjet activity in North America originated in the US, with 48,998 departures in Week 30, 1% ahead of last year. The month to date trend in the US is 2% ahead of last year, contrast Canada down 7%, both well ahead of comparable 2019. Month to date, flight hours in the US are 3% ahead of last year, 14,458 active bizjet tails this month.
In the last week, Week 30, Trans-Atlantic bizjet activity saw an Olympic related boost. Bizjets from New York airports into Paris airports were well ahead of comparable last year, 20 flights in Week 30 this year, just 3 in Week 30 last year. Unsurprisingly Paris, where most of the Olympic events are being held, was the top destination city across all US to France connections. Vista Jet and NetJets lead US to France flights last week.
As July draws to a close, Florida, California and Texas are the strongest US States in terms of bizjet departures. Florida and California up 2%, Texas up 1% compared to last year. New York State continues to see strong YOY growth, Colorado dipping 2% behind last year. NetJets, Flexjet and Vista Global are the top 3 operators’ month to date, all three enjoying strong growth compared to the last 5 years. In terms of flights hours, NetJets fleet is enjoying 54% growth compared to 5 years ago, Flexjet fleet recording more than 100% growth in flight hours vs 5 years ago.
Chart 1: US Bizjet city flows, US – France, Week 30 2024 (% change refers to change vs same dates last year).
European Region
Following the conclusion of the UEFA EUROS tournament, European bizjet activity is seeing its second sport related uplift owing to the hosting of the Olympic Games. As the world’s top athletes arrived in France for the start of the Games last week, so did the bizjets; in Week 30 bizjet activity in France rose 17% compared to Week 30 last year. The Europe wide trend was up by 4% compared to W30 last year, the UK recording a 10% jump compared to last year. Month to date bizjet arrivals into France are on par with last year, the Olympics related traffic lifting arrivals towards the end of the month. On the day of the opening ceremony (July 26th), 382 bizjet arrivals were recorded into French airports.
The Olympic surfing events are being held in Tahiti, French Polynesia. NTAA – Faa’a International airport recorded 13 bizjet arrivals during last week (22nd – 28th July), up from 10 during the previous week. Most of the Olympic events are being held in Paris, Paris airports seeing a 58% uplift in bizjet arrivals compared to 22nd – 28th July last year. Paris Le Bourget recorded 713 bizjet arrivals last week, up 53% YOY. New York saw a large YOY bump in bizjet flights to Paris airports last week, up 200% YOY.
Chart 2: Bizjet arrivals into Paris airports, Week 30 2024 (% change refers to change vs same dates last year).
Meanwhile, at Europe’s hottest summer vacation spots, bizjet arrivals are mainly behind last year. For example, bizjet arrivals into Mikonos have fallen behind comparable 5 years ago, ahead of only July 2020. Olbia stands out, busier than any July in the last 5 years, Ibiza and Mallorca arrivals falling behind the last 3 years.
Chart 3: Bizjet arrivals into select European holiday destinations, July 1st – 29th vs previous years.
Rest of World
Outside of North America and Europe, bizjet activity in Week 30 declined. In the Middle East region activity fell 16% compared to W30 in 2023, notable declines in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Riyadh. Across the region the latest 4-week trend is now 9% below comparable last year. In Africa the W30 trends are 23% down year on year, notably declines in Johannesburg, Lagos and Cape Town. In contrast, South America saw a 1% uplift compared to last year.