Global bizjet traffic is reaching its highest ever levels in 2025, eclipsing the previous high peaks in 2022, primarily due to the renewed demand for bizjet travel in the US since Trump’s election. Even Europe, facing serious economic headwinds, has seen an increase in bizjet traffic this year compared to last, with a surge in the last week reflecting school half-term breaks.
Global
In Week 7 (10th – 16th February), 72,025 business jet departures were recorded worldwide, 2% ahead of W7 last year. Part 91k and 135 bizjet activity stretched further ahead, 4% more departures than Week 7 last year, and 7% ahead in the last 4 weeks – equivalent to an additional 2,342 sectors. For the year-to-date, January 1st through February 16th, bizjet flights are up 4% on last year, the active global bizjet fleet 1% bigger than at the start of 2024.
Chart 1: YOY week-week view of global bizjet flights
United States
In Week 7, business jet activity in the United States rose 1% compared to last year, part 135 & 91K sectors up 6%. Florida saw notable gains, departures up 11% compared to last year and 10% ahead of the previous week. Texas saw year on year gains in Week 7, although more subdued, just 4% ahead of last year, whilst flights from California slipped back 6% YOY, trending down 1% YTD.
Branded charter flights in the US surpassed 51,000 departures through February 16th, 10% ahead of 2024. It was reported last week that flyExclusive intends to acquire Jet AI, so far this year; flyExclusive activity in the US is up by 24% in 2025, following a 19% growth last year compared to 2023. Other leading charter program providers Wheels Up and Vista both saw some decline in flight hours last year.
Chart 2: Top business jet operators, United States departures, 1st January – 16th February 2025.
Over the President’s Day weekend (Friday 14th – Monday 17th February), there were 27,321 bizjet departures, 204 fewer than the same Friday – Monday 2024 President’s Day holiday period. Across the holiday period there was a notable increase to select Caribbean destinations, most activity was on Super midsize aircraft.
Chart 3: Busiest US country flows, Presidents Day (Friday – Monday) holiday period 2025.
European Region
In Week 7, business jet activity in Europe rose 2% compared to last year, matching the last four-week trend. The UK saw a notable increase in departures, up 17%, compared to Week 7 last year. UK bizjet departures ramped up over the weekend ahead of half-term holidays for most schools in England between February 17 – 21st, busiest connections were to airports serving notable ski resorts such as Sion, Geneva, Lyon, Chambery and Samedan.
Munich hosted the 61st Munich Security Conference from 14th – 16th February. There were 253 bizjet arrivals into Munich metro area airports during the week of the conference up by 83% compared to the previous week. Top international origin city was London, with a notable spike in arrivals from Brussels.
So far this year (1st January – 16th February) European bizjet activity is 2% ahead of last year, flight hours 3% ahead of last year. Super Midsize and Ultra Long-Range jets are seeing sizeable growth so far this year, sectors on these aircraft8% and 9% respectively ahead of last year. Fractional fleets are flying 50% more sectors on ultra long range jets compared to last year, London – New York the busiest fractional ULR route, followed by London – Paris.
Chart 4: Fractional business jet departures and active aircraft, departures from Europe 1st January – 16th February 2025 vs previous years.
Rest of World
Outside of the US and Europe, other regions of the world saw a 10% year on year increase in week 7 activity. Activity in the Middle East and Asia saw small declines, -2% and -3% respectively. In contrast, Africa and South America recording strong growth (+29% & 31%). In South America, strong increases in bizjet flights between Sao Paulo – Rio De Janeiro, in Africa increases in flights between Durban and Cape Town contributing to strong year on year growth.