The big dip in YOY traffic this week may appear to be the fallout from broader economic concerns but in fact we are only seeing the usual slowdown during Easter holidays, and indeed bizjet flights this Easter are comfortably ahead of Easter week last year. For the month of April, and for the year to date, bizjet demand is still trending ahead of last year.
Global
Two weeks post ‘Liberation Day’, Week 16 (14-20th April) global bizjet activity fell 4% compared to last year, although, the decline is likely due to Easter celebrations falling later this year compared to last year. The core US market recorded 3% declines in Week 16, meanwhile in Europe, activity fell 17% compared to Week 16 last year. Despite these declines, when comparing to Easter week last year, US activity was 4% ahead and overall activity in Europe during Easter week this year was 2% ahead of Easter week in 2024.
The global last four-week trend is 2% above last year, with charter and fractional markets on par with last year. Year to date (1stJanuary – 20th April), the global bizjet fleet has flown 1.1 million departures, 3% more than comparable last year.
Chart 1: Global business jet flights and rolling 12-month trends
International bizjet connections from the United States this month are up 2% compared to last April, in contrast domestic activity falling 1%. US to Canada connections have fallen 4% compared to last April, flights to Mexico 3% ahead of last April. Bizjet flights from the US to China have fallen 16% compared to last April. There are currently 188 active bizjets based in China that have flown this year, Gulfstream has the most exposure, with 86 active aircraft based in China. Almost half of bizjet flights departing China this year have been on Ultra-Long-range jets, Gulfstream having the most of that segment based in the country.
Chart 2: Active business jets based in China by OEM, 1st January – 20th April 2025.
North America
Overall, bizjet activity in Week 16 in the US was down 3%, equalling the largest weekly year-on-year drop this year, there were slightly stronger trends in Part 135 & 91K activity. Florida stood out against the decline, recording 5% growth compared to Week 16 last year. In Texas there was a 1% slowdown, even further in California with 6% declines compared to last year.
The downward trends last week are due to Easter holiday’s falling later this year. During Easter week of 2024 (25th – 31st March), there were 45,568 bizjet departures from US airports, 4% fewer Easter week this year. Activity in Florida and New York State was noticeably up during Easter week, likely leisure orientated with connections between Naples and New York and Fort Lauderdale and New York well ahead of last year. The Caribbean appeared to be a popular getaway spot for bizjets in Florida, notable rises in flights from the sunshine State to Bahamas, Dominican Republic and Sint Maarten. Most of the demand on these routes served by Fractional and Branded Charter fleets. The market outlook in the US remains buoyant, year to date (1st January – 20th April) departures are 3% ahead of last year.
Chart 3: Business Jet departures from Florida, Week 16, by country connection.
Europe
Week 16 (14th – 20th April) ended three consecutive weeks of year-on-year growth in Europe, the latest week falling 17% compared to 2024. Whilst such a drop would usually spark concern, the shock drop comes from Easter celebrations being held later this year. Germany and the United Kingdom, which have both seen growth in the last 3 weeks recorded a drop of 35% and 13% respectively. Several leisure markets saw increased travel from the UK last week, demand for bizjet flights to Spain and Portugal well ahead of comparable last year. Year to date European bizjet departures are 1% below last year, flight hours are on par with comparable last year.
Chart 4: Business jet departures by European country, Week 16 2025.
Rest of World
In Week 16, business jet activity outside of North America and Europe was up 7% compared to Week 16 last year. Most of the gains came from the Middle East, departures in Week 16 up 18%. The bizjets touched down in Saudi Arabia for the F1 Grand Prix last weekend, an additional 26 bizjet arrivals into Jeddah airports compared to the previous week, 67% more than the week of the 2024 edition of the race. Elsewhere in Asia departures in Week 16 were up 2% compared to last year. In South America the trends were less impressive, just 1% ahead of last year, contrast Africa, activity 14% ahead of last year.