As global demand for business aviation continues to surge, Florida stands out for its exceptional growth in flight activity, while Europe experiences a significant spike in leisure travel demand.
According to the latest WINGX Business Aviation Bulletin, the period between February 10-16 saw a global total of 72,025 business jet flights, marking a 2% increase compared to the same week in 2024. Notably, Part 135 and 91K operations saw a 4% rise compared to last year, with a 7% increase over the past four weeks, equivalent to 2,342 additional flights. Overall, business jet traffic has grown by 4% year-to-date, with an active global fleet expanding by 1% since the beginning of 2024.
Global Business Jet Traffic by Week Year-over-Year
U.S. Business Aviation Traffic: Florida Leads the Way
In the United States, business aviation activity in Week 7 of 2025 increased by 1%, with Part 135 and 91K operations up by 6%. Florida, in particular, saw remarkable growth, with an 11% rise compared to last year and a 10% increase compared to the previous week. Meanwhile, Texas experienced a more modest increase of 4%, while California saw a slight decline of 6% year-over-year and a 1% drop for the year to date.
By mid-February, the U.S. charter industry surpassed 51,000 flights, a 10% increase compared to the previous year. FlyExclusive, a key player in the U.S. charter market, announced its intent to acquire Jet.AI, with flyExclusive’s activity up by 24% in 2025 after a 19% growth in 2024. Other major providers, such as Wheels Up and Vista, reported a decrease in flight hours last year.
Business Jet Traffic of Leading Operators in the U.S., January 1 - February 16, 2025
U.S. Business Aviation Traffic During President's Day Weekend
During the President's Day weekend (February 14-17), a total of 27,321 business aviation flights were recorded. Although this figure was 204 flights lower than the same period in 2024, there was notable activity across the Caribbean, particularly on super-midsize jets.
Busiest U.S. Routes During the President's Day Holiday Weekend (Friday - Monday), 2025
European Business Aviation: Growth in the UK and Major Events
In Europe, the business jet activity during Week 7 of 2025 grew by 2% year-on-year, reflecting a consistent trend over the last four weeks. The UK saw a significant 17% increase in traffic, particularly ahead of the school holidays in England from February 17-21. Popular destinations included airports serving renowned ski resorts, such as Sion, Geneva, Lyon, Chambéry, and Samaden.
During the Munich Security Conference (February 14-16), 253 business jets arrived at Munich airports, marking an 83% increase from the previous week. London emerged as the leading departure city for international flights, with notable spikes in arrivals from Brussels.
Business Jet Traffic and Number of Active Shared Ownership Jets in Europe, January 1 - February 16, 2025
Growth in Business Jet Activity Across Europe
Between January 1 and February 16, European business aviation saw a 2% increase in activity and a 3% rise in flight hours. Super-midsize and ultra-long-range jets have experienced a significant uptick, with flights on these aircraft rising 8% and 9%, respectively. Shared ownership ultra-long-range jets are operating 50% more flights year-over-year, with London to New York being the busiest route, followed by London to Paris.
Global Business Aviation: Trends Outside the U.S. and Europe
In regions outside of the U.S. and Europe, Week 7 of 2025 saw a 10% increase in year-over-year activity. While the Middle East and Asia reported slight declines (-2% and -3%, respectively), both Africa (+29%) and South America (+31%) saw strong growth. This was driven by increased business jet traffic between São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro in South America, and between Durban and Cape Town in Africa.
Global Outlook for 2025
According to Richard Koe, Managing Director of WINGX, 2025 is set to break records for global business jet traffic, surpassing the peak levels seen in 2022. The resurgence of demand in the U.S., particularly following the election of Donald Trump, and the steady recovery in Europe, despite significant economic challenges, are key factors contributing to this growth.
As business aviation continues to grow worldwide, both the U.S. and Europe remain central hubs, with Florida and the UK leading the charge. Meanwhile, emerging markets in Africa and South America are becoming increasingly important players in the global aviation landscape.
