Story ID: 432
European Bizav Activity Slips in April
By: Jerry Siebenmark
Caption: Most of the declines in biz traffic were noted for flights originating and terminating within Europe, WingX said.
Word Count: 219
April business aviation departures in Europe were similar to those in March but down 3.1 percent from April 2018 to 66,165, according to data and consulting firm WingX’s monthly Business Aviation Monitor. Over the past 12 months, activity is down 1 percent compared with the same period a year ago. “Business aviation activity slowed further this month, reinforcing the impression that European demand has stalled since Q4 2018,” WingX managing director Richard Koe said.

There were 5 percent fewer business jet flights in April, with an 8 percent decline in privately filed flights. Among size categories, small and midsize jets had the greatest decline, particularly in France, the UK, and Switzerland. Large-jet activity in the region was down 3 percent from April 2018, with the steepest drops occurring in Turkey (21 percent), Spain (13 percent), and Germany and France (nearly 10 percent). It was flat in the UK and up 5 percent in Italy. 

The declines in April business aviation activity were noted among a couple of Europe’s largest cities as well, with London seeing a 5 percent decrease and Paris a 16 percent decrease—20 percent in small jets alone.

WingX noted that the declines were mostly reserved for flights within Europe, while those to North America and Africa “were well up this month.” Flights to the Middle East and Asia-Pacific, however, continued to fall.