The decline in business aviation flight activity in Europe accelerated in November as departures dipped 3.2 percent year-over-year, according to WingX`s latest monthly Business Aviation Monitor. Year-to-date, Wing X reported flight activity has been down overall 1.8 percent in Europe, representing 15,000 fewer flights.

Total flights in November lagged the same month in 2008 by 12 percent, added Richard Koe, managing director of WingX. “Long-term trends in all business jet segments are heading south following the relatively brief rally in 2017 to 2018." Koe pointed to owner flights as leading the downward trend in November, with 8 percent fewer year-over-year. “Particularly on the older platform aircraft, in the lighter and entry-level category, owners are flying much less. The sensitivity of business jets to the climate agenda may well exaggerate this trend next year.”

The UK and Germany, in particular, saw a drop in overall business aircraft activity, with departures down 6 percent year-over-year and 5 percent year-to-date. The small and midsize segments were most affected in those countries, as well as in France, WingX stated. Meanwhile, owner flights plummeted by more than 20 percent in Switzerland.

WingX, however, did see some increase in November in Russia, Italy, Turkey, and Spain. Large-cabin jet activity was up 6 percent in Spain and by 3 percent in Switzerland.