Magnus Aviation sees 32% increase in private jet empty legs for business aviation clients

Magnus Aviation, a UK-based private jet charter business, has reported a 32% increase in the availability of empty legs on private jets in the first three months of this year compared to the same period in 2015. It has also secured 17% more empty leg placements for clients.

Magnus Aviation estimates that there were around 40,900 private jet empty legs in Europe during the first quarter of this year (some 5,600 were UK based), which was around 25% of all private aviation flights.

However, despite the number of private jet empty legs increasing, the price of these has stayed the same or increased slightly because the number of people chasing these has increased dramatically.

Empty legs are a cost effective way to arrange a private jet charter. They take place when an aircraft is positioning for a departure point without passengers, and those booking a flight on one of these can save up to 75% on the typical price.

James Armstrong, head of commercial development at Magnus Aviation said: “Part of the increase in the availability of empty legs on private jets is down to the fact that there have been more business aircraft flying from the UK to some of the most popular destinations. For example, in March, the number of private jets flying from the UK to France was up nearly 7% on the same month last year, and in February it was up over 10%.”

In the first three months of this year, the UK has had five of the 20 busiest business aviation airports in Europe: Luton (3rd); Farnborough (5th); Biggin Hill (13th); Oxford (16th) and Northholt (18th).

In terms of the top overseas destinations for private jet empty legs for UK customers, Geneva, Paris and Chambery are the top three, and the top two UK based airports are Luton and Farnborough.