Global bizjet activity was blunted by Hurricane Milton last week, principally in the busiest US State Florida. European bizjet activity is slipping back, particularly in France. Bizjet activity in the Middle East is also wilting under the weight of regional conflict.
Global
In Week 41 (7th – 13th October), there were 73,121 global bizjet departures, 3% more than the previous week, although 3% fewer than Week 41 in 2023, and compares to 76,524 bizjet sectors in the busiest week of the last 12 months, week 26 2024. The four-week trend for business jet flights is also down 3% compared to last year, the year-to-date trend 2% below last year. Worldwide, Super Midsize and Ultra Long-Range fleets are the only aircraft segments flying more than last year. Bizliner activity has fallen the most compared to last year, departures down 12% year on year.
Chart 1: Global business jet departures by aircraft segment, January 1st – October 13th 2024.
North America
In Week 41, there were 53,371 bizjet departures departing North American airports, 2% fewer than Week 41 in 2023. Despite hurricane Milton, US activity rebounded 5% compared to Week 40. In hurricane-affected Florida, the dip in bizjet activity was 18% compared to W41 last year. Most cities in Florida saw subdued activity in Week 41, although there were actually pockets of YOY growth in Tampa, Sarasota and Fort Myers. Elsewhere in the US, California activity remains in the doldrums; despite 3% growth compared to W41 last year, the four-week trend is 3% below last year. There is better news in Texas, activity in W41 5% ahead of last year, raising the 4-week trend to 1% growth compared to last year.
In the first two weeks of October, US bizjet activity is trending down by 4%, with Georgia the only US State showing YOY gains. Just 4% of bizjet activity out of the US this month is to international destinations. Top connection is to Mexico, activity down 13% compared to last year, top trans-Atlantic connection is with the United Kingdom, activity busier than any October in the last 5 years.
Chart 2: United States bizjet country flows 1st– 13th October 2024
Over the weekend before Columbus Day 2024 (Friday 11th – Sunday 13th), 21,452 bizjet departures were recorded departing US airports, 3% more than the 20,815 departures recorded on the Friday – Sunday before the 2023 holiday. Business jet traffic was almost 30% of the volume of Scheduled airline flights over the long weekend. Fractional fleets were busiest this holiday weekend, representing almost a quarter of departures.
Chart 3: Bizjets vs Scheduled airlines, city flows, Friday – Sunday before Columbus Day 2024.
European Region
In Europe, bizjet activity fell 2% compared to Week 41 last year, dropping 5% compared to Week 40. Departures from the United Kingdom and Germany fell 7% compared to W41 last year, matching the 4-week trend in Germany. Activity in France was especially subdued, departures dropping 16% compared to the previous week, 8% below W41 last year. Charter traffic in France was down 10%, whereas it grew in both Switzerland and Italy.
Two weeks into the month, bizjet activity in Europe has fallen 7%, worse than the last 4-week decline of 3%. Spain and Portugal stand out for growth, contrast top market France where activity has slipped 5% below October 2019. Barcelona airport (LEBL), where the 37th edition of the America’s Cup Yacht competition is taking place nearby, has recorded 60% growth in bizjet departures compared to October last year. In stark contrast, usual popular leisure spot Mallorca (LEPA) has seen a 21% drop in business jet departures compared to last year.
Chart 4: European bizjet airports, 1st – 13th October 2024
Rest of World
Outside the principal North American and European markets, activity in the rest of world declined 10% in Week 41, down from the last 4-week trend of -5%. In the Middle East, bizjet activity saw a slight rebound compared to Week 40, although 8% declines compared to W41 last year. The last four-week trend is 13% behind last year. Bizjet activity in Saudi Arabia is shrunk to half of last year, domestic Saudi activity almost two thirds below last year. Top international connection in the region this month is Turkey to Russia, activity on the route 17% ahead of last year. Midsize jets are immune to the regions declines, midsize jets flying more than any October in the last 5 years.
Chart 5: Business jet segments, departures from Middle Eastern cities, 1st – 13th October 2024.
