In the report released by WINGX, the business aviation industry around the globe, during the week 33 (August 11–17) was able to generate outstanding profits. A total of 74,318 flights were logged internationally, at the same level as the previous week while registering a 6% increase as compared to that same week in 2024.
For weeks on end, the most active week in terms of flights was week 26 of 2025, which had nearly 78,808 flights. Air operators conducted a total of 179,495 flights globally from the beginning of August to the 17th, marking a 5% increase year-on-year.
Operating Segment Breakdown
- Part 91 (Private Flights): Nearly half of the total number of flights was about 84,249 flights, which is a 5% up from the previous year.
- Part 135 (Charter Flights): 59,683 flights were recorded, which is a 1% increase from the previous year.
- Part 91K (Fractional Ownership): The number of flights turned up to 35,563, marking the Fractional Owning as the one with the highest rise of 11%-year-on-year.
Regional Performance
North America: A Tough Competition
Business aviation operations in North America climbed by 5% on a yearly basis during week 33, just slightly below the global average.
The performance in the United States was quite the same as the international wave, however, it did vary from state to state:
- Texas: +8% compared with the previous year
- Florida: -2% compared with the previous year
- California: +3% compared with the previous year
The four-week rolling trend is currently +5% showing the improvement of the previous +3% trend.
Europe: Mixed Signals, Italy Leading
Business jet operations in Europe registered a 3% increase during week 33 on a yearly basis.
Nonetheless, the maturity of the growth numbers varied dramatically from one country to another:
- Italy: +7%
- United Kingdom: +3%
- Germany: -1%
- France & Switzerland: Flat in relation to 2024
Rest Of the World: Expansion in Emerging Markets Drives Strong Growth
Markets outside Europe and North America reported the most robust growth with an 11% overall increase year-on-year.
- South America: +16%
- Middle East: +10%
- Africa: +11%
- Asia: +7%
Vital Innovations in the Sector
LABACE Stimulates Trade in São Paulo
The 20th Latin American Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (LABACE) hosted and held from August 5-7 in São Paulo stands as a prime example of activity being spurred regionally. The event attracted more than 14,000 visitors at Campo de Marte Airport, showcasing 54 aircraft representing more than 50 brands.
Between August 4–8, business jet movements at São Paulo airports totaled 339 flights, a 31% increase over the same period in 2024. As a whole, Brazil recorded 52,198 flights by the 17th of August reflecting a 13% increase as compared to the previous year by this point.
However, it was surprising to see the number of traffic movements in Congonhas (SBSP) to decline by 29% (4,374 flights), while São Paulo Catarina (SBJH) had their traffic movements increased by 54% with 3399 flights thus showing a change towards the dedicated business aviation service.
Gibraltar Starts New Aircraft Registry
The Government of Gibraltar has initiated a new registry for aircrafts that should be registered under the VP-G prefix, which comes under the oversight of the UK Civil Aviation Authority and collaborates with the Isle of Man and the Guernsey registries.
For instance:
- Isle of Man: H1 2025 had 187 business jets registered which is a 38% decline from 2019.
- Guernsey: H1 2025 featured 45 business jets which is a 36% rise compared to 2019.
WINGX will keep registering the effects of Gibraltar's entrance in the offshore registration market.
VistaJet Moves Forward In Saudi Arabia
VistaJet has created history by becoming the first foreign operator to be granted the greenlight to carry out domestic flights in Saudi Arabia after getting the approval of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA).
The operator is sailing in the same boat as the objectives set by Saudi Arabia in the Vision 2030 national growth plan and it will allow VistaJet to join their fleet with the Global 7500 and the forthcoming Global 8000. The establishment has illustrated its progress in the program membership department, disclosing a 32% increase for H1 2025 when juxtaposed to the equivalent timeframe in 2024. This is indicative of the region's potential for growth.
Outlook
Richard Koe, Managing Director at WINGX, highlighted:
“This week marked the seventh-strongest year-on-year growth in business jet activity. Fractional ownership saw even stronger momentum at +11%. LABACE underscored Latin America’s rise as a market comparable in scale to Europe. With global activity up nearly 4% in Q3 compared to last year, business aviation is on track for a strong second half of 2025.”
Key Takeaway: Global business aviation is experiencing steady and geographically diverse growth, with fractional ownership, emerging markets, and strategic regulatory moves—such as VistaJet’s Saudi entry and Gibraltar’s registry—playing central roles in shaping the industry’s next chapter.
