Jet Segment Boosts European Bizav Flying in September

Thanks to 4-percent growth in the business jet segment, business aviation departures in Europe last month climbed 1.4 percent from a year ago, according to data released today by WingX Advance. Business turboprops and pistons both logged declines last month, however. “Last month completed a positive third quarter, adding to the growth in the second quarter and offsetting the bad start to the year,” said WingX managing director Richard Koe. Year-to-date activity is now off by just 0.1 percent from a year ago.

The UK saw the most growth in activity last month, with flights up 5 percent overall and light and large business jet departures in London soaring 12 percent and 7 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, WingX said France was the busiest country last month, generating 19 percent of all European business aviation departures.

Overall, flight activity within Western Europe was flat last month, with growth coming from Southern and Eastern Europe, although both the Turkey and Russia markets continued to erode. The major markets that suffered decline last month were Germany and Switzerland, WingX said.

Transatlantic flights rose 8 percent from a year ago, the company noted, while London Biggin Hill, Farnborough and Ibiza Airports each reported activity growth in the low double digits.