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Slackening bizjet demand in California slows global activity trends in W49

In Week 49 (1-7 Dec) 2025, global bizjet activity amounted to 76,800 departures, 3% busier than Week 49 2024.

On a rolling last four-week basis (W46 – W49), global business jets have notched more than 307,000 departures, a 5% increase compared to the same period last year. This four-week trend of 5% is in line with the global year-todate (1 Jan-7 Dec) trend of 5% compared to 2024.

Highlight of the Week: Netflix corporate aircraft activity in run up to Warner Bros. acquisition

On 5 December, Netflix made a definitive offer to acquire Warner Bros. The days running up to the offer showed significant flight activity from the Netflix corporate flight department. From 1 January through 30 November, Netflix averaged 4 flights per day across its wholly owned business jets and turboprop aircraft, distributed between a Gulfstream G550 (44% of flights), King Air 350 (29%), Embraer Praetor 600 (14%), and Dassault Falcon 2000 (13%).

Whereas, in the four days preceding the acquisition offer (1-4 Dec), Netflix daily flight activity went up to 6, then 8 flights on 2 December. The primary route during this period was between Burbank (home to Warner Bros.) and San Jose (home to Netflix).

Map of Netflix corporate aircraft activity YTD (1 Jan-7 Dec).

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Regional Performance Analysis

North America: Texas leads key states with 6% expansion
The North American market slightly underperformed the global trend at 2% more activity in W49 2025 compared to W49 2024. The United States, North America’s growth engine, matched this trend with 2% more flights year-over-year. On a key state level, Texas led growth in W49 at 6% year-over-year, followed by Florida with 3% expansion, while California realized a 2% contraction. Notably, San Jose International, which primarily serves Silicon Valley, was down about 7%, potentially mirroring a slowdown in Mag-7 corporate aircraft activity.

North America’s rolling four-week trend now sits at 5% ahead of the comparable period in 2024. Among the key states, Florida and Texas are 7% ahead of the comparable four-week period, while California is 4% ahead.

Europe: Flat performance as France and Germany decline
European business jet flight was flat YOY in W49, with regional differences: Bizjet departures from Switzerland and the UK were up, at 7% and 2% respectively vs W49 last year; demand for bizjets in Italy was flat, although still elevated 6% compared to YTD 2024; bizjet flights in Germany declined 5%; demand for bizjets in France slumped 6%.

Whilst Europe’s four-week trend (W46 – W49) is flat compared to last year, the deadweights are France and Germany, with declining activity, offset by Switzerland, with a 4-week trend of 5% growth in bizjet departures.

Rest of the World: Africa and South America both exceed 20% growth
In other regions, bizjet activity was up by 17% in Week 49 YOY, with ROW traffic accounting for 11% of global bizjet departures in W49. Airports in Africa saw bizjet flight activity up by 23%, followed by South America, departures up 21%, then Asia at 15%, and finally the Middle East with 9%. In South America, the corridor between São Paulo and Rio De Janeiro stands out. There were 125 flights between the two cities, representing a 39% increase compared to the same period last year.

On an aircraft basis in the ROW region, the older Hawker midsize jet platform was the busiest aircraft type, notching up more than 700 total flights, while also up 2% year-over-year. The ROW region is also seeing strong trends on a rolling four-week basis (W46-W49).

Africa leads this four-week trend at 24% ahead of the comparable period last year, followed by South America at 20% ahead, with both Asia and the Middle East 9% ahead.

Current Events Analysis

Baker Aviation acquires 20 Challenger 300s from Flexjet
Wholesale charter provider Baker Aviation has bought 20 Bombardier Challenger 300s from Flexjet, in order to build out its super midsize jet offering. The move also coincides with Flexjet’s ongoing fleet modernization efforts, moving away from the older Challenger 300s while receiving new Embraer Prater 600s and Bombardier Challenger 3500s. Baker Aviation currently operates a fleet primarily composed of Citation Xs, which have notched more than 10,500 flights so far this year (1 Jan-7 Dec).

Baker Aviation peer group analysis, on flight hours basis (1 Jan-7 Dec).

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The company has experienced standout growth this year, more than doubling its flights compared to 2024, and now ranking 17th amongst all active global operators. Baker Aviation expects to have five total Challenger 300s on their certificate by 15 December to support additional travel during the holiday season.

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BlueSky Business Aviation News | 11th December 2025 | Issue #823