New data released by business aviation services company Argus has revealed a 16 per cent year-over-year decline in business aviation traffic in Europe.
The data for the Eurocontrol coverage area showed declines across almost all types of aircraft, with turboprops leading the way at 28.6 per cent down – thanks largely to a drop-off in multi-engine activity.
Large aircraft activity also fell by 14.4 per cent in total, the decline in shorter-range aircraft of this type offsetting gains in ultra-long-range aircraft flights.
Light and midsize jets declined at the relatively gentler rates of 5.3 per cent and 4 per cent, respectively, with super-midsize jets actually experiencing a 4.8 per cent increase in year-over-year activity.
Business aviation in Europe did, despite this negative trend, experience brief seasonal respite in May when compared to April, with overall flight activity up 3.6 per cent and light-jet flights up 22.2 per cent on the month before.
Very light jets experienced the biggest increase of 30 per cent, with large jet and midsize jet activity improving month-over-month by 15.9 per cent and 10.3 per cent, respectively.
However, super-midsize jets experienced a downturn over the course of the month, declining 14 per cent, despite their positive trend year-over-year.
Turboprop activity decreased by 16.7 per cent over this time period as multi-engine activity dropped by 22.5 per cent, although single-engine turboprop flights experienced modest gains.