In this report, you will find detailed information on European Business aviation traffic, in a geographic and weekly breakdown.

The year 2020 was the worst year in the civil aviation history. Analysis shows it is even worse than the 9/11 crisis in 2001 and the global economic crisis of 2008-2009. Compared to 2019, 2020 represents a loss of 160,000 flights (-25%) for European Business aviation, which is about an average of 450 less daily flights .

Operating at -71% compared to “normal”, April 2020 marked a first wave of the pandemic-effect on Business aviation activity. After a return to normal levels around the summer Business aviation experienced a relapse in the autumn (around -20%). As a usual quieter period, a second “back to normal” period occurred around Christmas for the industry. January 2021 represents a third wave of the pandemic-effect, with traffic figures falling to–27%.

Key learnings

• January marks a clear trend, although too soon (in 2021) to be interpreted. Europe is divided into 3 zones. In Eastern Europe, Business aviation has “globally” experienced a positive January (compared to January 2020). Western Europe is the part most impacted by the third wave (all markets are in the red). Northern Europe is slightly negative but globally stable.
• 2020 borders closures had a direct impact on flight origins and destinations. As a direct consequence, domestic Business Aviation connections were less impacted (for the markets where it is possible). On the other hand, all the cross-border connections (extra-Europe but more importantly intra-Europe activity) were deeply impacted and slowed down on Covid-19 times.
• Almost one year of Covid-19 brought some new trends on the industry, compared with the industry in its “usual” configuration. In the current state of the market, Business aviation is clearly driven by short distance, light airplanes, commercial Business aviation.

​This traffic report is made possible thanks to EUROCONTROL data and the support of WingX.