European Bizav Flying Logs First Gain in 2015

Business aviation flights in Europe eked out their first gain this year, rising 0.7 percent year-over-year last month, to 73,436 departures, according to data released yesterday by WingX Advance. Year-to-date flying is still down 1.9 percent in the region. “The year-on-year activity trend last month indicates an encouraging recovery in Western Europe,” with the top six Eurozone markets all logging more activity, “especially France and Germany,” noted WingX managing director Richard Koe. “Overall, this is the first positive May since 2011.”

These top markets comprise about 60 percent of total activity in the region. The “strong growth” in Germany, France and Italy was partly offset by declines in Switzerland, Austria, the Netherlands and Russia, WingX said. The aggregate result was boosted by growth in turboprop and particularly piston flights. Total business jet activity in Europe declined by 1.7 percent. Most of the retreat in jet activity came in charter flights, which fell 2 percent. This was apparent on many of the busiest charter city pairs, WingX said, noting 55 fewer charter flights between Le Bourget and Nice year-over-year.

Only two of the busiest 10 airports in Europe gained activity last month: Zurich and Linate. Activity at Paris Le Bourget dropped 6 percent, although charter flights were up by by 4 percent. Meanwhile, flights from Venice Airport doubled last month.