Bizjet flight activity is slowing fast in the US this month. The declines clearly derive from waning demand in the smaller end of the market, particularly older entry level and midsize jets. Business jet activity in California has actually fallen behind 2019 levels. The European market hasn’t seen the same relapse, but still weak in Central Europe, and much closer than the US to 2019 levels.
Global
In Week 37 (9th – 15th September), there were 69,441 global bizjet departures, 6% below Week 37 in 2023. Worldwide, Part 135 & 91K business jet sectors fell 5% compared to Week 37 in 2023. From January 1st through September 15th, just over 2.5 million bizjet flights have been operated, 1% below comparable 2023. So far this month, the trend has significantly deteriorated, September bizjet activity down 7% compared to September last year, 26% ahead of September 2019.
Chart 1: Global business jet departures and hours trends by OEM, September 1st – 15th 2024.
North America
In Week 37, there were 47,745 bizjet departures departing North American airports, 7% below Week 37 in 2023, the United States matching this trend. Florida, California and Texas all saw declining YOY flight activity compared to Week 37 last year, -1%, -9% and -4% respectively. Although US bizjet activity is now trending down by 8% so far this September compared to September 2023, the gains on September 2019 are still close to 20%. Flight activity in Florida may be 5% down this month YOY but up more than 70% compared to 5 years ago. California is the one exception, where flights have actually dipped below 2019 levels this month.
Chart 2: US busiest States, 1st – 15th September 2024
Despite the US wide downturn this month, fractional fleets remain resilient, departures 2% ahead of last year. Other fleets are seeing the large declines this month, corporate flight departments down 20%, Branded charter fleets down 18% and private flight department fleets down 21%.
Busiest departure airport for the corporate fleets is Teterboro, 440 bizjet departures this month, 25% below comparable last year. Light jets are the preferred bizjet segment for the Corporate fleets with a 25% market share of departures. Bizliner activity is slight but rebounding YOY, corporate fleets flying 132% more on bizliner’s this month than last year, 51% growth compared to 5 years ago. Corporate fleet activity on international sectors is largely behind last year, notable drops in connections to Canada, Bahamas and United Kingdom.
Chart 3: Corporate Flight Department active bizjet fleet United States, January – August 2024
European Region
In Week 37, European bizjet activity dropped 2% compared to the same week last year, holding up better than the US weekly declines. In Week 37 France and the United Kingdom saw 1% growth compared to last year, Switzerland was on par with last year. Italy bucked the regional trend; departures growing 7% compared to Week 37 last year. Year to date (1st January through 15th September), European bizjet activity is 1% behind last year, holding 6% ahead of 2019. So far September’s trend is down 2% compared to last year, 8% ahead of 5 years ago.
Most countries this month are behind last year, Germany and Austria are behind September 5 years ago. Spain and Greece buck the regional trend, 9% and 4% ahead of last year respectively. Spain’s growth is coming from Aircraft management and Branded Charter fleets, connections to the UK and France running hot. A third of bizjet activity in Spain is on domestic routes, Madrid to Mallorca the busiest connection.
Chart 4: Business Jet departures by Country, 1st – 15th September 2024.
Across the OEMs this month Cessna types have flown the most flights, although 7% below last year. Bombardier and Embraer bizjet types are flying more sectors in Europe than last year, Bombardier leading the active aircraft this month. Pilatus bizjets are flying more flights in September compared to the last 5 years, 80 PC-24 aircraft active this month.
Rest of World
Outside of the US and Europe, the rest of the world saw large declines in Week 37. In Africa and the Middle East the declines were most apparent, Africa saw a 14% decline compared to last year, -16% in the Middle East. So far this month UAE departures have fallen 9% compared to last year, Saudi Arabia down 42% compared to last year. China bizjet activity is 9% ahead of last year, domestic activity 5% ahead of last September. Connections with Japan, Singapore and the UK well ahead of September last year.