WingX: Olympics Lead to Record Bizjet Arrivals in Paris
Bizjet activity was up 17 percent in France for week 30, the data tracking company said.
The Summer Olympic Games have led to record business jet arrivals to Paris airports as the world’s best athletes compete in Paris, according to the latest data from WingX. [Credit: Shutterstock]
The Olympics have led to record business jet arrivals to Paris airports as the world’s best athletes compete, according to the latest data from WingX.
The aviation industry data intelligence company reported that in week 30—July 22-28—bizjet activity in France was up 17 percent compared to the same time last year. Europe has seen a 4 percent increase overall. Paris saw a 58 percent jump in bizjet arrivals compared to last year.
“As predicted, the Olympics venues have attracted business jet arrivals from all over the world as dignitaries, heads of corporations, and celebrities flocked to the opening ceremony and sporting events,” said WingX managing director Richard Koe in the announcement. “The Olympics appear to be very popular with U.S. visitors, many coming via the UK. The Olympics bounce is helping the market recover from a relatively weak H124, with year-to-date trends now flat compared to last year.”
Paris Le Bourget recorded 713 bizjet arrivals last week, up 53 percent over last year. New York saw a 200 percent increase in bizjet flights to Paris airports year over year. Vista Jet and NetJets lead flights from the United States to France, WingX found.
On July 26, the day of the Olympics opening ceremony, 382 bizjet arrivals were recorded into French airports.
North America
Florida, California, and Texas had the most bizjet departures in the U.S. Florida and California were each up 2 percent over last year, and Texas was up 1 percent.
Bizjet departures were on par in week 30 compared to the same period last year in North America, with most activity originating in the U.S.
Europe
The United Kingdom saw a 10 percent increase in bizjet flights.
Activity lags behind in popular European summer destinations. Bizjets to Mykonos, Greece, have fallen compared to five years ago, only ahead of 2020. Olbia, Italy, has been busier than any July in the last five years, while Ibiza and Mallorca, Spain, are behind the last three years.
Rest of World
Bizjet activity declined outside of North America and Europe. Activity fell 16 percent in the Middle East in week 30 compared to last year, with notable declines in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Africa saw a 23 percent drop in bizjet activity, with declines in South Africa cities Johannesburg and Cape Town, and Lagos, Nigeria.
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