WingX: Bizav Flying in Europe Continues 'Steady Erosion'

The “steady erosion” in business aviation flying in Europe continued last month, as departures fell 2 percent year-over-year, to 80,113, according to data released today by WingX Advance. For the first nine months, business aviation flying in the region is down 2 percent from a year ago, the company added.

“Across the fleet, the pattern is uneven, with small and midsize jet activity taking a battering, especially from the largest markets in Western and Central Europe,” said WingX managing director Richard Koe. “This drop-off appears to align with the manufacturing slump in the Eurozone. There are still some bright spots in the flight activity analysis, not least Farnborough’s continued stellar growth.”

While France and Greece logged growth in flight activity, there were also “big year-over-year drops” in departures from Germany and Spain. Year-to-date, the market is flat in “top market” France and declining the most in Germany.

Business jet activity in Europe dropped by 2.3 percent year-over-year last month. Light and midsize jet activity slipped by 3 percent, while large-cabin flying fell 1 percent.

Intra-European flights fell 2 percent last month, but those from Europe to North America surged 9 percent year-over-year. Departures from Europe to Asia-Pac have slumped by 11 percent year-to-date, according to WingX.