As per the most recent report from WINGX Business Aviation, Week 10 of 2025 was the first circumstance this year where the total business jet flights around the world came back lower than last year. During the week, a total of 70,810 business jet flights were indicated which is 2% smaller compared to the previous year's period. This figure is quite significant because it is the first time when the constant rise has been interrupted since the beginning of the year. Commercial operations (Part 135 and 91K) were down by 1% in terms of flight activity compared to the previous year.
March 1 to March 9 total business jet traffic saw a 1% drop in comparison to the same time in 2024, while total flight hours decreased by 2%. Nevertheless, in the previous four weeks, the total activity was still 2% above the levels of last year, with Part 135 and 91K departures being 4% higher than the same period in 2024.
Global Business Jet Traffic in 2025 Compared to Previous Years
North America
In Week 10, the business jet activity in North America, compared to the same week last year, saw a decrease of 1%, which was Part 135 and 91K flights that increased by 2%, with a year-on-year rise. In terms of ZIP codes, California's business jet takeoffs were stable, but Texas recorded a 5% drop. Florida, which saw 8,378 flights this month, has achieved an annual growth rate of 1%, thus confirming its title as the top state in the US for business jet activities, accounting for 17% of the country's flights this week. So far this year, there has been a 5% overall increase in Florida traffic. A special case was Palm Beach (KPBI), where a 31% drop occurred in Week 10, because of the temporary flight bans when former President Trump is present at Mar-a-Lago.
The overall trend for the business aviation sector in the U.S. is no longer as robust as before, with the year-to-date growth resting at only 1%, unlike the 4% recovery it had after the elections. Also, the cross-border flights have been more of a detractor, given that the flights to and from Mexico and Canada were 6% and 4% lower than before. The decreases reported could relate to the recent tariff changes that have affected the regional aviation sector.
Business jet flights and flight hours in North America by country, March 2025 vs. last year.
Leading U.S. Business Aviation Operators
NetJets, Flexjet, and other main U.S. operators have kept high usage stats, with each logging around 200 flight hours per airplane since the start of the year. FlyExclusive has also grown its business whereas Wheels Up has shown an increase in flight hours owing to its incorporation of Grand View which occurred at the end of last year. Even as the world grapples with uncertainties, Canadian fractional operator AirSprint carries on the positive trend of increased utilization.
Flight Hours Per Aircraft by Operator in North America (Jan 1 – Mar 9, 2025)
Europe
In Week 10, European business jet activity plunged significantly with a 7% decrease compared to the previous year. The most remarkable declines were found in the UK (-5%), France (-6%), and Germany, which lost 19% of departures from the same week in 2024. The four-week trend is now 10% behind the MARK 2024 levels.
Still, despite the overall decline in business aviation, four European markets have shown improvement this year: France, the UK, Spain, and Belgium, where business jet departures have marked a rise of 11% from the previous year's figures.
Surprisingly, although the total business jet traffic in Europe fell by 1% as of March 2025, some types of aircraft are actually more wanted. Super-midsize and ultra-long-range jets are up-flight level counting more flights than last year, as well as total flight hours increased by 3% and 5%, respectively.
Business Jet Departures by Country, Europe (Jan 1 – Mar 9, 2025)
Rest of the World
Aside from North America and Europe, the business jet activity was also unsuccessful in Week 10, with a 7% decline against last year's figures. The Middle East bore the brunt of the recession, as the area recorded 24% fewer flights than the previous year. On the contrary, Africa managed to experience a 9% increase in activity, thus counterbalancing the decreases in Asia (-3%) and South America (-4%).
Mexico, Brazil, and India were the top three countries that managed to register high numbers of business jets outside the North American and European groups. Meanwhile, there have been minor setbacks in respect of business jet activity in the UAE and Saudi Arabia compared to last year.
Business Jet Activity by Country (Jan 1 – Mar 9, 2025)
Industry Outlook
Richard Koe, Managing Director at WINGX, stated: "The last time we saw an increase in business jet activity was inNovember 2024 and this growth was persistent which was rebuilt the lost ground from 2023 and 2024. The recent switching of trade tariffs and economic policies has, without a doubt, directly affected our sales figures. Countries in Europe and the Middle East have observed a general drop in flight activities compared to the previous year."
Even though the overall business aviation activity is still strong, it is clear that the first marker of deceleration has been seen, which has led the industry players to keep an eye on the future of the market.
