In Week 30 (22-28 July) of this year, there were 74,198 business jet sectors flown, on par with W30 of 2023, according to WingX's weekly Global Market Tracker. Part 135 and 91K business jet activity grew two per cent compared to W30 in 2023, reaching 39,722 sectors flown. Globally the last four-week trend for business jet departures is also on par with last year; over the last four weeks Part 135 and 91K departures are two per cent ahead of last year. Nearly a quarter of business jet flights in Week 30 were operated by aircraft management programmes.

In Week 30, there were 50,871 business jet sectors recorded departing North American airports, on par with Week 30 last year. In the US, the world's busiest business jet market, Week 30 activity rose one per cent compared to last year, with just under 49,000 departures were recorded.

94 per cent of business jet activity in North America originated in the US, with 48,998 departures in Week 30, which is one per cent ahead of last year. The month to date trend in the US is two per cent ahead of last year, in contrast to Canada, which is down seven per cent, both well ahead of a comparable 2019. Month to date, flight hours in the US are three per cent ahead of last year, with 14,458 active business jet tails this month.

In the last week, Week 30, trans-Atlantic business jet activity saw an Olympic related boost. Business jets from New York airports into Paris airports were well ahead of comparable last year, with 20 flights in Week 30 this year and just three in Week 30 last year. Unsurprisingly Paris, where most of the Olympic events are being held, was the top destination city across all US to France connections. Vista Jet and NetJets led US to France flights last week.

As July draws to a close, Florida, California and Texas are the strongest US states in terms of business jet departures. Florida and California are up two per cent, while Texas is up one per cent compared to last year. New York state continues to see strong YoY growth, with Colorado dipping two per cent behind last year. NetJets, Flexjet and Vista Global are the top three operators month to date, with all three enjoying strong growth compared to the last five years. In terms of flights hours, NetJets fleet is enjoying 54 per cent growth compared to five years ago, while the Flexjet fleet is recording more than 100 per cent growth in flight hours versus five years ago.

Following the conclusion of the UEFA Euros tournament, European business jet activity is seeing its second sport related uplift owing to the hosting of the Olympic Games. As the world's top athletes arrived in France for the start of the Games last week, so did the business jets; in Week 30 business jet activity in France rose 17 per cent compared to Week 30 last year. The Europe wide trend was up by four per cent compared to W30 last year, with the UK recording a 10 per cent jump compared to last year. Month to date business jet arrivals into France are on par with last year, the Olympics related traffic lifting arrivals towards the end of the month. On the day of the opening ceremony (26 July), 382 business jet arrivals were recorded into French airports.

The Olympic surfing events are being held in Tahiti in French Polynesia. Its Faa'a International airport recorded 13 business jet arrivals during last week (22-28 July), up from 10 during the previous week. Most of the Olympic events are being held in Paris, with Parisian airports seeing a 58 per cent uplift in business jet arrivals compared to same time last year. Paris Le Bourget recorded 713 business jet arrivals last week, up 53 per cent YoY. New York saw a large YoY bump in business jet flights to Paris airports last week, up 200 per cent YoY.

Meanwhile, at Europe's hottest summer vacation spots, business jet arrivals are mainly behind last year. For example, business jet arrivals into Mykonos have fallen behind a comparable five years ago, ahead of only July 2020. Olbia stands out; it is busier than any July in the last five years, but Ibiza and Mallorca arrivals falling behind the last three years.

Outside of North America and Europe, business jet activity in Week 30 declined. In the Middle East region activity fell 16 per cent compared to W30 in 2023, with notable declines in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Riyadh. Across the region the latest four-week trend is now nine per cent below a comparable last year. In Africa the W30 trends are 23 per cent down year on year, notably with declines in Johannesburg, Lagos and Cape Town. In contrast, South America saw a one per cent uplift compared to last year.

Richard Koe, WingX managing director, comments: “As predicted, the Olympics venues have attracted business jet arrivals from all over the world as dignitaries, heads of corporations and celebrities flocked to the opening ceremony and sporting events. The Olympics appears to be very popular with US visitors, many coming via the UK. The Olympics bounce is helping the market recover from a relatively weak H124, with year-to-date trends now flat compared to last year.”