There were 47,628 business aviation departures in Europe in January 2016, according to WINGX`s latest monthly Business Aviation Monitor.

The figure represents 2,220 fewer than in January 2015, a 4.5% fall in YOY activity. Business jet flights were down 5%, as were Piston sectors. Turboprop flights declined 1.5% YOY. The decline this month mainly came in Western Europe, especially in France, where flights were down 8%, almost 700 fewer departures YOY. Activity in Italy and Spain was down 10%. The UK market was flat YOY.

Business aviation flights in Germany were down 3%, although Piston flights were up 9%. Business jet activity in Switzerland was down 8%, although Turboprop flights were up 7%. There was a 7% increase in overall flights in Austria.

Flights within Europe were down 4% this month but Western Europe still retains a 12 month growth trend. Activity in Southern Europe weakened 8% this month. Flights from Europe to the CIS region were down 14%. Business aviation flights into Europe from North America were up 8% this month. Flights from the Middle East were down 5% and flights to Africa slumped 27%. Europe´s busiest city pair, Le Bourget-Geneva, was up 8% for Private flights this month.

Aircraft

Bombardier and Gulfstream ultra-long range aircraft increased activity more than 5%, although heavy jet segments declined respectively 11% and 25%. Learjet flights declined 14%, but Embraer flights were up 19% YOY.

Overall, AOC flights in Europe were down 3%. But of 9 business jet segments, 4 showed growth in commercial/AOC flights, especially Super Midsize. Bizliner charters were also up. 50% of ULR flights were under 1.5h, this activity up by 5% YOY. Private flights decreased by 5% this month, -8% for business jets. Germany was the only top 10 market with growth in Private activity. Overall, the busiest aircraft for Private flights was the PC-12, this activity growing 10% YOY.

Airports

Activity at Europe´s busiest 20 business aviation airports fell this month, with largest decline at Le Bourget. Stand-out growth at Nice and Biggin Hill, 13% and 11% respectively. Despite overall activity decline, AOC flights were up at Luton and Schoenefeld.

Richard Koe, Managing Director of WINGX Advance, comments: “This disappointing start to 2016 breaks the recovering trend in Q4 2015. Undoubtedly the fall-off in demand is linked to the abrupt deterioration in the wider economy. There are some bright spots: Charter activity retains a solid trend in Very Light Jet and Super-Midsize segments; the UK still has some growth; transatlantic flights were well up; owner activity on Ultra-Long Range and PC-12 aircraft continues to grow. Overall we should hope that the bad start to the year is a blip, as were the first couple of months of 2015.”

Cities with most business aviation flights

Big declines in London, Paris & Geneva. Some scattered growth, especially in Nice

View the current 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.