To provide insight without distortion, the current Report compares March-April 2013 to March-April 2012.

YOY business aviation activity in Europe during this two-month period decreased 3.4%. This contraction was slightly less than that experienced in both January and February 2013. Reflecting the continuing Eurozone recession, flight activity fell most in Western Europe, with declines in Germany and the UK particularly influential. There was a small increase YOY in France.

Unsurprisingly, the period saw heavy falls in business aviation flight activity in Italy and Spain. Established growth markets in Scandinavia, Turkey and CIS countries maintained their expansion path. There was strong growth in flight flows between some countries, such as Russia-Turkey.

Over the March-April period, flight activity in Eastern Europe fell, but incoming flights from the Middle East, the US, China and West Africa notably increased.

Across aircraft size segments, bizliner, ultra long range and super midsize jet activity increased, and all light jet activity subsided. Pilatus aircraft bucked the light aircraft trend, with activity growth. Bombardier fleet activity continued to grow impressively, generated by charter demand. At the heaviest and lightest end of the market, ACJ and Eclipse aircraft posted big activity increases.

Cessna´s XLS fleet is an industry bellwether, with its continuing decline in activity. The Mustang, leading the VLJ segment, is holding its own with strong private flight demand. The most significant activity growth across the fleet was generated by Global Express aircraft.

Richard Koe, Managing Director of WINGX Advance, comments, “The year on year increase in April was flattered by Easter falling earlier this year. Discounting this effect by looking at the March-April period, we are losing activity. There are bright spots, such as jet activity out of Russia, charter traffic in Ukraine, private flying on VLJs, and stand-out demand for Bombardier aircraft. But business aviation in Europe won´t see light at the end of the tunnel until we´re into an economic recovery.”

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WINGX Advance is a data research and consulting company based in Hamburg, Germany. WINGX analysis provides actionable market intelligence for the business aviation industry. WINGX services include: Market Intelligence Briefings, Customised Research, Strategic Consulting, Market Surveys. WINGX customers range from aircraft operators, OEMs, airlines, maintenance providers, airports, fixed base operators, fuel providers, regulators, legal advisors, leasing companies, banks, investors and private jet users.