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WEF weekend arrivals up 4% as global activity holds steady

In Week 3 2026 (12-18 Jan), global business jet flights notched up 66,445 flights, 2% increase on same week last year, an additional ~1,100 flights.

On a rolling last four-week basis (W52 ‘25-W03 ‘26), worldwide sectors are up 4% YOY, maintaining the robust trends in 2025 vs 2024. Through 18 January, business jet activity is up 3% compared to the first 18 days of 2025.

Highlight of the Week: Davos arrivals peak at 110 aircraft ahead of forum opening

The World Economic Forum in Davos has always drawn significant business jet traffic and the 2026 event looks no different, with 191 business jet arrivals to WEF’s closest airports during the weekend prior to the Forum, up 4% on last year.

The 110 aircraft arrivals on 18th January compared to typical daily levels of 40 flights throughout the rest of January so far this year.

Business jet arrivals during weekend prior to World Economic Forum.

click image to enlarge

Regional Performance Analysis

North America: All key states post mid-single-digit gains
Business jet activity in the North American market expanded at a rate of 2% in W03 yearover-year. On a US State level, Florida was as usual the busiest State, flights up by 7%; next busiest Texas, bizjet flights up by 5%; then California with a 6% increase in bizjet activity compared to W03 2025.

Other US states with notable month-to-date (1-18 Jan) growth in departures include New Jersey (+8%), Illinois (+10%), and Indiana (+16%).

Europe: France surges 10% as Germany contracts 7%
European business jet flights tracked the global trend of 2% year-over-year growth in Week 03. Lots of variance: Bizjet flights from France were up 10%, with UK and Italy showing strong growth as well. Switzerland saw a 1% decline in outbound departures despite elevated inbound arrivals ahead of the World Economic Forum in Davos, whereas Germany slumped even further at -7%.

Europe’s four-week trend (W52 ‘25-W3 ‘26) is up 3% compared to last year, with Italy leading the four-week trend, up 6%, whereas Germany is down 6% versus the comparable four-week period last year.

Rest of World: Africa and Asia post double-digit 11% growth
Regions outside North America and Europe saw high single-digit YOY growth in Week 03, up 7% overall. Africa and Asia both led with growth at the double-digit rate of 11%, followed by South America with 8% growth, while the Middle East was the lone region to see declines at -2%.

On a rolling four-week basis, South America is farthest ahead of last year’s volume, flights +12%. Bizjet flights out of Africa are up 9% this year, from Asia a modest 3%, and from the Middle East we’re seeing a slight decline, activity dropping 3% YOY.

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BlueSky Business Aviation News | 22nd January 2026 | Issue #827