Argus TRAQPak: June ‘busiest month on record for European bizav’

European business aviation had its busiest month on record in June, according to Argus International’s global TRAQPak report.

While global flight activity remained strong compared with 2021 (up 8.3%), there was a dip of 0.3% in monthly global flights between May and June this year. Despite this, Europe’s market increased by almost a third (31.6%) compared with June 2021 and is estimated to increase a further 18.1% by next year. More than 96,000 business flights were recorded across the continent during the month. Large cabin jets were most in demand, with a 56% uplift in use compared with June 2021.

In North America, there was a slight year-on-year increase (1.9%) in the frequency of business jet flights. By operational category, Part 91 activity remained strongest, having increased by 6.1% from the year before. Fractional flights followed with a 3.5% increase, despite a 13.7% decrease in large cabin fractional flights. Part 135 flights dropped year-on-year for the first time since December 2020, falling by 3.4%. The largest individual gain in the region occurred in the Part 91 large cabin sector, which increased by 10.2% over the year (see tables below).

Between May and June this year across North America, the number of flights per day remained flat at around 10,100. Results by operational category for the month were all down on May, with Part 135 activity experiencing the largest monthly decrease (5%). There was a drop in fractional activity of 4.8%, while Part 91 flights decreased by 1.2% compared to the previous month. The report suggested summer weather patterns were affecting activity, as the northern regions of the country all recorded gains, while the southern regions experienced declines.

Joe Moeggenberg, CEO and president, Argus International said there are a few reasons that part 135 flights decreased in North America, while rising in Europe. Speaking at Corporate Jet Investor’s online Town Hall, ‘Who is on the frontline of market change?’ Moeggenberg said: “Firstly, the cost of fuel [has increased in North America] and the price of charters has gone up substantially because of the fuel surcharges.” He added: “Just recently at Teterboro, the retail rate for Jet A was $12 per gallon, so obviously the fuel surcharges that the Part 135 operators need to include in their fees.”

The increase in business jet use in Europe is “driven by how awful the airline service is right now in Europe”, he said: “There are a lot of people chartering aircraft because of the situation of trying to get through Heathrow, for example. That is becoming a real nightmare.” So, there is “absolutely no indication” of flight activity slowing down in Europe.

Across Africa, Asia, Australia and South America there was a 10.7% drop in business jet flights between May and June this year, marking the third consecutive month were flights waned.

On a yearly basis, Argus said overall activity in these regions was still up 6.6% compared with June 2021. Unlike North America and Europe, where large cabin jets saw the biggest rise in use, turboprops excelled year-on-year, with an increase of 23.8%.

BizAv flights across Europe

BizAv flights across North America, June 2022 vs June 2021

BizAv flights across Africa, Asia, Australia and South America