Newly formatted data from online charter portal Avinode gives a clearer impression of the fluctuations in charter aircraft demand and pricing. The latest forward-looking demand indices show a substantial dip in anticipated bookings for the next 30 days on both sides of the Atlantic and across all three categories of aircraft evaluated: light, midsize and large-cabin business jets.

The drop in projected demand was greater in the European market, likely reflecting the fact that in early January operators were still seeing strong bookings associated with factors such as the Russian Christmas and New Year holidays and the start of the skiing season. For example, the European demand index for large-cabin jets in Europe stood at 357 on January 6, but had dipped to just 61 on February 6.

At the same time, the demand indices for all aircraft types and in both European and North American markets were significantly up on February 6 versus a year ago. Meanwhile, Avinode’s pricing indices for the same aircraft, over the same period in the same markets, showed only marginal fluctuations.