Global Business Jet Activity Declines in March

According to Germany-based business aviation consultancy WingX, Global business jet activity declined by 9% over the month to date and 7% over the past four weeks, when compared to the same time periods in 2022. The North American market saw the largest decline, whilst activity in Asia-Pacific and South America increased by over 15%.

Business jet activity year to date is down 3% compared to 2022, but 16% ahead of 2019.

Activity has increased in Asia, the Middle East and South America, with a 17% uptick in demand so far in March when compared to 2022, and up 78% compared to 2019. Brazil, Australia and India have been the key markets driving increased activity. China has seen signs of a bounceback with its business jet activity increasing by 36% ahead of this year, although it’s still 2% below comparable 2019.

In North America, business jet departures are down 10% thus far in March compared to the same period in 2022. Branded charter flight activity has declined 28% and corporate flight department activity has fallen 15% compared to March last year. Private flight departments and fractional operator activity has increased by 2% and 3% respectively over the same period last year.

Europe has also experienced a drop in activity, with a 9% decline (8% when excluding Russia) in the number of sectors flown since the beginning of this year, compared with the same period in 2022. 71% of business jet activity in Europe so far this month has been international flights, with France, the United Kingdom and Germany being the three busiest markets respectively.

“March 2022 was the record peak in business aviation activity, reflecting the pent-up demand as the pandemic faded and lockdowns were released, so it’s not a great surprise to see lower YOY activity”, said Richard Koe, Managing Director, WingX. “However, with emerging concerns of another global financial crisis, we may well see further softening in business jet usage in the next few months.”

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