Main news

Texas, California and Florida are seeing trends of close to 10% in terms of year-on-year growth in bizjet departures in the last 4 weeks, testament to solid improvements in consumer and business confidence in the wake of Trump´s win. More than usual numbers of US tourists have flown to Europe in the last week, notably more to the UK and Italy than to France and Germany. The Middle East saw a strong bump in YOY bizjet flights coinciding with the MEBAA show in Dubai.

The post-election bounce continues, with week 47 seeing the largest YOY increase in flight activity so far this year, closing almost all the deficit accumulated earlier this year. California has seen an especially strong recovery. In Europe, demand is sagging in leading markets, with Italy the year-long exception. Bizjet demand in South America continues to thrive.

The Thanksgiving holiday saw a record surge in bizjet traffic, notably in Florida. Activity in the US since the election is positive year on year, bucking the overall decline in bizjet demand in this year compared to last year. European bizjet demand is fragile, particularly in the German corporate market. In other regions, Brazil continues to see strong growth this year.

The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) published the Third Quarter 2024 General Aviation Aircraft Shipment and Billing Report. The general aviation aircraft manufacturing industry’s results through the third quarter of 2024 show an increase in the overall value of aircraft shipments and increased shipments of piston airplanes, business jets and turbine helicopters, with turboprops and piston helicopters shipments in line with the first nine months of 2023.

Business jet activity is trending up by 7% since the US election, and follows a strong October, compared to 2023. This may suggest a post-election bounce, especially as Trump is expected to lower taxes and may generally be favourable towards the sector.

The Vertical Aviation Safety Team (VAST) releases a white paper titled “Investigation of a Rotorcraft Safety Rating Concept,” introducing an innovative proof-of-concept system aimed at elevating safety standards for vertical aircraft worldwide. The initiative seeks to incentivize the adoption of advanced safety technologies across both new and existing fleets, inspired by successful frameworks in other industries, such as automotive safety ratings.

Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. announced the 300th customer delivery in the Gulfstream G500 and Gulfstream G600 fleet, a signal of continued worldwide demand.

In contrast to surveyed industry sentiment, which is apparently buoyant following Trump’s election triumph, bizjet flight activity in the US has actually slackened in the last two weeks. Elsewhere in the world, big political gatherings in Baku and Rio attracted a relative local spike in bizjet usage.

With just a few days passed since the US election result, the effect on business jet utilisation is not obvious. In fact activity has calmed, followed several weeks where there were more flights than last year. In Europe, the political and economic strife in Germany is reflected in substantial cutbacks in bizav demand. Destabilisation and conflict in the Middle East has equally seen a big step back in flight activity.

Week 44 capped a topsy turvy 4 weeks in the key US market, with much of October flat-to-negative, but strong gains this week, notably in Florida, also in the US election Swing States, suggesting that the elections may have directly boosted utilisation. The largest European markets are on a stagnant trajectory, with Italy the obvious exception. This week also saw a big increase in year-on-year bizjet traffic in Saudi Arabia.

Bombardier is proud to celebrate the delivery of the 100th Challenger 3500 aircraft, the latest addition to its industry-leading portfolio of aircraft. Since entering service in 2022, the Challenger 3500 aircraft has delivered unmatched versatility, the lowest direct operating costs in its class and rock-solid reliability, and quickly became a top choice for charter operators and corporations around the world. With this new milestone, the Challenger 3500 aircraft sets a new standard and becomes the fastest super-midsize business jet to reach 100 deliveries in history.

Business jet fleets have seen a boost in demand in the second half of the October, notably in the US and notably in California. NFL Games have been a draw, as have the GPs in Mexico and Texas. US presidential campaigning may also have spurred activity. The European market was also head-above-water, in contrast to a further slide in activity in the Middle East.

Leading global trade body, The Air Charter Association (The ACA), hosted its annual European Broker-Operator Forum on 16 October 2024 at The Grand Majestic Hotel in Prague. More than 50 senior air charter professionals from over 15 countries across Europe shared their expert insight into current industry challenges and best practices. The event also made for the perfect opportunity to network and engage with members, many of whom were attending an ACA event for the first time.

The Swiss-Made PC-12 was last year’s most frequently flown business aircraft in the USA. Specifically, 316,328 takeoffs by the “World’s Greatest Single” were recorded between August 2023 and July 2024, representing 8.8 percent of all departures. Once again, this single-engine turboprop impresses with its versatility, safety, reliability and efficiency.

Bombardier today announced that manufacturing of major structural components for the 1st production jet is underway across Bombardier facilities in Saint-Laurent (Québec), Red Oak (Texas) and Querétaro (Mexico). Set to enter into service in the second half of 2025, the Global 8000 private jet will stand alone as the world’s fastest and longest-range purpose-built business jet, innovatively crafted with the smoothest ride and the industry’s healthiest cabin. The aircraft also continues to impress in flight testing, achieving positive results throughout its campaign.

The International Aircraft Dealers Association (IADA) has issued its Third Quarter 2024 Preowned Aircraft Market Report, highlighting a rise in optimism among members as the quarter concluded. The report was released today here in Las Vegas at the National Business Aviation Association’s 2024 Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE).

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.

It’s 3am at the VIP airport terminal of Dubai’s Mohammed Bin Rashid Aerospace Hub and an ultra-long range aircraft is readying for take-off. The luxury, 14-seat private jet is headed for Europe, just as soon as its main passenger and his entourage arrive.

Business jet demand is navigating turbulent waters, with the approach of the US elections, outgoing and incoming hurricanes across the South-East of the country, economic stagnation in Europe and escalating conflicts in the Middle East. The combined headwinds are clearly widening the declines in comparison to 2023, which itself was a reset from the post-Covid high points in 2022.

Bizjet demand picked up in the last week, having been notably weaker in the first half of September. The trend in the key US market was still slightly negative, with the hurricane impact in Florida offsetting the growth in bizjet activity in Texas. In Europe, UK bizjet activity was up but demand has stagnated in Central and Southern Europe.