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From Santa Clara to Milan to Munich: VIP events buoying global bizjet growth in Week 07

In Week 07 2026 (9-15 Feb), global business jet activity increased 6.1% compared to Week 07 2025, for a total of 77,000 flights, which represents an additional 660 flights per day.

On a year-to-date basis (1 Jan-15 Feb), global bizjet traffic is 3.2% ahead of the comparable period last year, still slightly behind the 3.9% growth rate achieved during the same period in 2025 vs 2024.

Global bizjet departures trends YTD (1 Jan-15 Feb).

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Highlight of the Week: World leaders meet in Munich

Munich's airports have shown a marked increase in arrivals prior to the annual Security Conference this year. In the three days leading up to the 62nd Munich Security Conference (10-12 Feb), bizjet arrivals at Munich area airports surged to 165, with 110 landings recorded on 12 February alone. That represents a 2.4x spike above average February traffic, as Heads of State and senior policymakers converged on the Bavarian capital for three days of high-level security dialogue.

Munich Security Conference Surge Ratio*

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*Surge Ratio is event traffic divided by average traffic

Regional performance analysis

Super Bowl in California, Rodeo in Texas
Business jet activity in North America expanded 6% in Week 07 2026 vs 2025, bouncing back after a few consecutive weeks of YOY declines caused by the winter storm at the end of January. The key US market, which accounted for 70% of total global bizjet flights last week, saw 6% increase in flights. On a key US State level, California led growth in Week 07, seeing 20% more bizjet flights than in Week 07 2025.

This demand was clearly generated by the surge of day-after Super Bowl traffic which was held in Santa Clara. Texas also saw double-digit growth at 10%, primarily at San Antonio due to the 2026 Stock Show and Rodeo. On a rolling last four-week basis (W04-W07 2026), California leads growth up 15% vs the comparable four-week period last year, followed by Florida up 4%, and Texas up 2%.

Olympic drama in Italy, politicians in Munich
European business jet flights were up 4% in Week 07 and recorded nearly 9,600 flights. Amongst top European countries, Italy, was the star performer growing 40% compared to Week 07 last year, driven by Olympic traffic inbound to the sporting events in Cortina. WINGX will publish a comprehensive Milan Olympics business jet analysis following the closing ceremony.

Following Italy in terms of Week 07 YOY growth was Germany, which grew at a rate of 8%, driven by delegates attending the 62nd Munich Security Conference, then Switzerland expanding 6%. France and the UK were the region’s notable declines last week, down 5% and 4%, respectively.

Beyond the West: South America and Asia fuel emerging regions
On a combined basis, regions outside North America and Europe saw 15% YOY growth in Week 07. On a regional level, South America led the growth at an impressive 33% more flights than in Week 07 last year, followed by Asia and Africa both expanding 7%, then the Middle East’s 3% growth.

On a rolling four-week basis, South America is farthest ahead of last year’s volume, flights up 26%, flights out of Africa are up 8%, traffic out of Asia up 5%, while activity from the Middle East is up 2%.

Nick Koscinski, WINGX analyst comments, “Week 07 was a reminder of just how powerfully marquee events can drive business aviation demand. From the Super Bowl in California, to the Winter Olympics in Milan, and then the Munich Security Conference, each left a clear footprint of bizjet traffic.

"Overall, 2026 is off to a solid start, with VIP events clearly offsetting the storm-affected last weeks of January.”

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BlueSky Business Aviation News | 19th February 2026 | Issue #831