New research reveals average age of European fleet
New analysis from Hawker Beechcraft reveals that the average age of the European business aircraft fleet is 13 years old
New analysis from Hawker Beechcraft Corporation has revealed that the average age of the European business aircraft fleet is 13-years-old and that more than one in six (17% or 788) of all business aircraft in Europe are at least 30 years old.
Hawker Beechcraft estimates that some 296 aircraft in the European business aviation segment could be retired over the next five years. This equates to around 7% of the total European fleet and could lead to a significant increase in demand for new business aircraft as companies and individuals look to replace their ageing aircraft.
Sweden has the oldest business aircraft of any fleet in Europe with an average age of 20 years and nearly one-third (32%) which are over 30-years-old. The youngest fleet by comparison is the Isle of Man with an average age of just six years and 7% over 30 years old. Portugal is the next youngest with an average age of just eight years and just 5% which are over 30 years old.
The largest fleet is in Germany which is the base for 753 aircraft – 17% of the European total – with an average age of 14. Around 15% (114) of these are at least 30 years old.
Sean McGeough, HBC president, Europe, Middle East and Africa, said: “This analysis highlights just how old many business aircraft in Europe are, with one in six at least 30 years old. Many of these aircraft will be less economically and environmentally viable than new aircraft so we anticipate seeing a significant number of aircraft retirements over the next few years.”
He continued “The industry has made a huge investment into delivering greater fuel efficiency for business aircraft. Newer aircraft not only have more efficient engines but are more aerodynamic and lighter. We are at the forefront of developments – our KingAir 350i is the greenest aircraft in its segment while our Hawker 4000 boasts high-efficiency engines and the first composite fuselage in the industry to make it the most advanced super-midsize jet in the world. We expect that the combination of an ageing fleet and increased taxes on emissions will lead to increased demand for new business aircraft.”
| Country | Number of business aircraft | Average age of fleet | % less than 10 years old | % over 30 years old | No. of aircraft which could be withdrawn next 5 years | % of fleet which could be withdrawn next 5 years |
| Sweden | 90 | 20.3 | 18% | 32% | 11 | 12% |
| Spain | 202 | 19.2 | 33% | 36% | 27 | 14% |
| France | 522 | 17.4 | 36% | 28% | 55 | 11% |
| Ireland | 30 | 17.0 | 37% | 33% | 4 | 13% |
| Norway | 51 | 14.0 | 49% | 16% | 3 | 6% |
| Germany | 753 | 13.9 | 41% | 15% | 43 | 6% |
| Greece | 60 | 13.7 | 48% | 22% | 5 | 8% |
| United Kingdom | 676 | 13.7 | 48% | 20% | 50 | 7% |
| Italy | 264 | 13.2 | 43% | 16% | 16 | 6% |
| Netherlands | 95 | 13.1 | 40% | 13% | 5 | 5% |
| Denmark | 102 | 12.9 | 47% | 19% | 7 | 7% |
| Ukraine | 46 | 12.9 | 57% | 17% | 3 | 7% |
| Belgium | 113 | 12.3 | 48% | 14% | 6 | 5% |
| Finland | 49 | 11.6 | 57% | 20% | 4 | 8% |
| Switzerland | 366 | 11.5 | 48% | 11% | 15 | 4% |
| Luxembourg | 83 | 10.7 | 63% | 13% | 4 | 5% |
| Austria | 249 | 9.3 | 60% | 9% | 9 | 3% |
| Russian Federation | 158 | 9.3 | 69% | 11% | 6 | 4% |
| Czech Republic | 66 | 9.0 | 64% | 9% | 2 | 3% |
| Poland | 58 | 8.1 | 78% | 12% | 3 | 5% |
| Portugal | 189 | 7.9 | 77% | 5% | 4 | 2% |
| Isle of Man | 75 | 6.2 | 83% | 7% | 2 | 3% |
| Rest of Europe | 229 | 12.2 | 51% | 15% | 13 | 6% |
| Grand Total | 4526 | 13.2 | 48% | 17% | 296 | 7% |
Source: Hawker Beechcraft analysis of JetNet data
