European business aviation experiences worst month in six years

Data provided by WINGX Advance

WINGX Advance note “nervous” charter customers in monthly European business aviation report for October 2013.

Data provided by WINGX Advance showing business aviation activity in Europe from 2008-2013.

Business aircraft in Europe posted the lowest number of flight hours in October 2013 since October 2006, with activity decreasing 2.1 per cent year-on-year, according to the latest monthly report from WINGX Advance.

“The generally improving economic context in Europe is not yet feeding through to demand for business aviation,” said Richard Koe, managing director of WINGX Advance.

“There continue to be impressive growth trends in ULR [ultra-long-range], SMJ [super midsize] and VLJ [very light jet] segments. This appears to reflect various customer needs for intercontinental range, operating cost efficiency, and low-prices for short trips. Overall the continued recession in activity shows the charter customer is still nervous.”

Charter flights fell 3.5 per cent year-on-year, with business jets embarking on 800 fewer flights than in October 2012.

Portugal was one of the few growth spots, with activity increasing 16 per cent, while Greece and Turkey grew by 14 per cent and 3 per cent respectively and Italy also posted a small increase.

In terms of aircraft, the midsize, superlight and turboprop segments fell between 4 per cent and 8 per cent, while ultra-long-range aircraft, super midsize and very light jets all grew.

Bombardier’s Global Express was again the most utilised business aircraft and there were significant gains for the Citation CJ4, the Phenom 300 and the King Air 350 aircraft.