Bizav Flying in Europe Falls Slightly in June

While business aviation departures in Europe declined 1 percent year-over-year last month, to 81,436, business jet activity in the region was up by 1 percent, according to data released today by WingX Advance. Fewer piston and turboprop flights led to the overall decline.

Activity in France was up 4 percent from a year ago, and year-to-date business aviation activity in Europe’s busiest market grew by 1.3 percent, equivalent to 173 more flights per month versus last year. The UK and Spain also saw growth last month, WingX said, while business aviation activity declined 2 percent in Germany year-to-date.

Flight activity continued to weaken in southern and eastern Europe last month, the firm noted, while business aircraft traffic to Europe from North America, North Africa and Middle East waned. In fact, arrivals in Europe from Russia fell 14 percent year-over-year last month.

Activity trends at Europe’s busiest airports were mixed, with a slight gain at Paris Le Bourget, further erosion at Geneva, a “big drop” at Luton and a 15-percent gain in Nice, which is trending up 10 percent this year.

“At the halfway point this year, business aviation activity is slightly trailing last year’s trend, which is disappointing. However, this belies some solid recovery in business jet activity, particularly in air operator certificate flights,” said WingX managing director Richard Koe. “Also, the light jet segments are finding more demand. Mainly these growth pockets are coming from Western Europe, with south and east still weak. We will have to see over the next few months whether the Brexit vote at the end of June sets back the UK’s contribution to the Eurozone’s recovery.”