WingX Advance: European Bizav Activity Down

Business aviation activity in Europe saw year-over-year decline in February, according to industry data provider WingX Advance. The Hamburg, Germany-based company noted the 51,075 business aircraft flights represented a 4.4-percent decrease from the same month in 2014, the lowest for the month since 2010 and a 20-percent decline from February 2008, beforethe start of the global economic crisis. “For business jets the European picture is pretty dismal,” said the company, noting a 7-percent decrease in jet activity for the month. It added that the market was partially buoyed by turboprop usage.

The continuing instability in Ukraine is a certain contributor to the decrease, with that country and Russia combining for a 1,400 fewer flights year-over-year. WingX Advance said Russia no longer ranks in the top 10 European markets for business-aircraft activity, with flights from that country to the rest of Europe down 34 percent compared with February 2014. Germany also saw decreases, with its monthly tally of business-aviation flights down 750 from the previous year. The decreases are widespread, according to the company, which cited 5 percent fewer flights into Europe from the U.S. and Middle East, while flights from China to the region were down 50 percent for the month.