International Sporting Events Provide FBO Traffic Boost

ExecuJet, the FBO division of Luxaviation Group, reports that major athletic competitions this summer proved a boon to its European facilities. During the Paris Summer Olympics and Paralympics, which took place in and around the French capital between July and September, its Le Bourget facility welcomed 1,257 passengers and handled 493 aircraft movements.

With Germany serving as the host for this year’s UEFA European Championship (Euro 24) that ran from June into July, the service provider noted that its Munich FBO handled 80 aircraft movements over a three-day span during the semi-finals, accommodating 125 passengers and 2.5 tons of luggage. Not to be outdone, for the final championship match in Berlin, the ExecuJet FBO at Brandenburg International Airport managed 158 flights, 586 passengers, and 13.5 tons of luggage in a 72-hour period.

According to Luxaviation, those instances demonstrate the growing trend of private aircraft use for travel to international sports competitions. It witnessed an influx of long-haul travelers, including many from Asia; 40% of the Euro 24 sponsors were based in China.

“The substantial increase in activity at our FBOs is a clear reflection of the growing demand for private aviation,” said Luxaviation CEO Patrick Hansen. “Our dedicated teams worked tirelessly to ensure that each passenger’s journey was smooth and enjoyable, even amid the complexities of high-profile sporting events.”

Coming up next month, the company expects to see a surge in traffic at its Australian locations, with the Rugby League Grand Final in Sydney, and thoroughbred racing’s prestigious Melbourne Cup Carnival week.

“Our FBOs are uniquely suited to handle the challenges of high-demand periods, demonstrating our expertise in managing a significant volume of aircraft movements without compromising service quality,” added Michel Tohane, Luxaviation’s president of group FBO Services.