As business aircraft activity fell last month in North America, such flying in Europe climbed 1.9 percent from July 2015, to 85,685 business aviation departures, according to data released today by WingX Advance. This marks the largest monthly gain so far this year in Europe, taking the year-to-date trend to -0.2 percent versus a year ago. However, last month was still 4 percent below the pre-crisis activity peak in July 2008.

Europe’s busiest market, France, did not disappoint, as business aircraft departures there rose 11 percent year-over-year last month and year-to-date activity is up 4 percent, averaging 389 new flights per month. Flight activity also increased in Italy, Spain and Switzerland, while there was “no obvious Brexit impact on the UK,” where overall activity was flat last month.

Business aircraft flying in Germany, however, slumped 7 percent last month and is down 3 percent year-to-date. The failed coup attempt in Turkey resulted in flight activity falling 17 percent last month and 12 percent year-to-date. There also was no sign of recovery in the Russian market, and Middle East arrivals to Europe slowed, though North America-inbound traffic from Europe increased.

“This was the most encouraging month of 2016, with 2-percent year-over-year growth in peak season activity bringing the activity level close to where it was pre-2009,” said WingX managing director Richard Koe. “Obviously the Euro Championships gave the market a boost, especially in France, but activity trends in Western Europe have also apparently ridden the impact of Brexit and recent terrorist attacks. The recent comeback in activity is clear in most business jet segments, particularly in very light jets.”