In this report, you will find detailed information on European Business aviation traffic, in a geographic and weekly breakdown.

The year 2020 was the worst year in the civil aviation history. Analysis shows it is even worse than the 9/11 crisis in 2001 and the global economic crisis of 2008-2009. Compared to 2019, 2020 represents a loss of 160,000 flights (-25%) for European Business aviation, which is about an average of 450 less daily flights .

The month of April was marked by a loss of activity at -71% of its normal levels. Airlines have experienced an even more dramatic drop, with -90% of traffic during April and May 2020 (and remain at -55% in 2020). Business aviation returned to normal levels in the summer and then experienced a relapse in the autumn (around -20%).

Key learnings

• The most affected region is UK-Ireland (-37.5% over the year) and the least affected is Northern Europe (-20% over the year).
• The main airports have been unevenly affected by COVID19. Those depending on long haul – heavy jets and intercontinental connections were hit harder than others (Le Bourget – 38%, Farnborough – 36%, Roma Ciampino – 31%, Madrid Barajas – 40%, Barcelona – 40%, Amsterdam – 33%)
• 2020 borders closures led to a change in flight profile in favour of domestic connections, which accounted for a majority of Business aviation flights in 2020.
• Diplomatic Business aviation and medical Business aviation experienced much smaller declines in activity in 2020 (-10% and -2% respectively) than private and commercial Business aviation (-35% and -23% respectively).
• The heaviest aircraft were more heavily impacted by COVID19. On the other hand, small-sized aircraft have been heavily solicited, particularly during the summer, when they were mainly used for charter flights.

​This traffic report is made possible thanks to EUROCONTROL data and the support of WingX.