Business aviation departures in Europe increased 2.3 percent in February, a gain that WingX said was helped by the Leap Year. Total flight hours were up as well during the month, by 4 percent, according to the latest WingX Business Aviation Monitor, released today.

“The welcome news of 2 percent growth in flight activity this month belies the underlying stagnation, apparent if the year-over-year record takes account of the Leap Year effect,” said WingX managing director Richard Koe. The company also noted on a daily activity basis, flights in February actually dipped 1 percent. And, year-to-date, business jet activity is down 1 percent.

Regionally, France, the UK and Switzerland each experienced an increase of at least 200 flights in February. But year-to-date, activity is down by 2 percent in France, and Switzerland is flat. Departures in the UK, however, are up 1.6 percent this year.

Activity dipped 3 percent in Germany in February, and for the year, Russia and Turkey each have experienced almost 200 fewer flights.

Flights flown under an air operator’s certificate (AOC) increased in Europe by 1.4 percent, driven by a 36 percent jump in super-midsize AOC activities. The busiest AOC route in February was Geneva-to-Paris Le Bourget.