Three-month growth streak for European business aviation comes to an end

The King Air picked up 14% growth in charters in April 2014

Sustained recovery for European business aviation looks doubtful according to the latest WINGX Advance data.

The King Air picked up 14% growth in charters in April 2014

Business aircraft recorded 52,794 flights in Europe in April 2014 to end a three-month streak of activity gains, representing a 2.3 per cent year-on-year decline.

Activity in Ukraine and Russia was hit the hardest, falling 30 per cent and 13 per cent respectively.

“The Ukraine crisis appears to have undermined an already uncertain climate and as the economic recovery in Europe falters we’re also seeing business aviation activity slow sharply,” said Richard Koe, managing director of WINGX Advance.

“Unsurprisingly, the Ukraine, Russia and Eastern European markets are taking the brunt, with this region’s preference for heavy jets reflected in a major slump in this segment’s utilisation. The scale of declining activity in Germany was also a surprise this month.”

Business jet activity in Germany declined 15 per cent, with 310 fewer flights than last year.

There was, however, a significant 7 per cent gain in the UK.

Cessna’s Excel, CJ1, CJ2 and Mustang models are saw pick-ups in activity, as did Beechcraft’s King Air.

There airports with the biggest gains were  Le Bourget (France), Luton, (UK), Mandelieu (France) and  Farnborough (UK).