Western Europe pulling ahead
Exceptionally strong UK growth

WINGX`s latest monthly Business Aviation Monitor reports a total of 63,068 business aviation flight departures in September - 1,237 more than in August -  equal to a YOY increase of 35 flights (+0.1%.). The European market remains about 1% off 2013 YTD.

The month's good news is that Europe's top 6 country markets all expanded YOY with the UK showing exceptionally strong growth at +10%. France, Europe's No.1 market, increased activity by 6%.

The overall picture has a negative distortion however due to the collapse in demand for business aviation in Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and, to a certain extent, the whole CEE region. Clearly this relates to geopolitical crises in 2014. Flights between the CIS region and Europe fell 34%, as flights from and to Russia continued to decelerate, -19% YOY, mostly in heavy jet activity. YOY flights from Russia to France fell 15%, to Italy, down 26% and to Turkey, down 70%.

Turboprops and VLJs performing well

Business jets continued to lose activity overall, with owners´ jet activity down 4% YOY. The market was bolstered by strong turboprop activity, up 3% in total, and +5% just in charter activity. Turboprop activity was strongest in the UK, up 17% YOY. Jet flights increased 10% in Spain. Piston departures grew 16% in Germany. Declines were notable for jets in Ukraine, -55%, turboprops in Austria, -7%, pistons in Belgium, -6%.

As well as turboprops, small-cabin aircraft flew more this month, with the light jet segment up for the first month this year, and VLJs taking the limelight, with 14% YOY increase in operations. VLJ flights are now 8.4% up YTD.

Embraer fleet sees 24% increase in charter activity

Bombardier aircraft flew less in all segments except ULR. The Cessna fleet was in demand, especially for owner flights. Embraer aircraft gained flights in all segments, reflected in a 24% increase in the fleet's charter activity. The Mustang was among the most popular aircraft, gaining 313 flights, 70% of which were charter. The Challenger 300 and Global Express made double digit YOY gains. The King Air 200 maintained strong demand, with 8% more flights YOY.

Richard Koe, Managing Director of WINGX Advance, comments: “The repercussions from the Ukraine crisis are derailing business aviation activity in Russia and Central and Eastern Europe, which has taken a large chunk out of the charter market, especially heavy jets. But the good news is that Western Europe bounced back in September, most notably in France, Europe's largest market. Whilst it is difficult to see an economic correlation there, it is clear that the sustained growth of business aviation in the UK this year is linked to that country´s solid economic recovery.”

click on the icon to access the current WINGX Business Aviation Monitor

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.

WINGX Advance GmbH 
Conventstr. 8 - 10
Building A
D - 22089 Hamburg
Germany.
+49 40 32 84 69 78 phone | +49 40 32 84 69 79 fax
BlueSky Business Aviation News | 9th October 2014 | Issue #291
.
BlueSky - your weekly business and executive aviation news - every Thursday
.