Europe Posts Modest Growth as Global Private Jet Activity Rises
Global business jet departures reached approximately 1.95 million in the first half of 2026, up 4.0% year on year. Europe recorded around 270,800 departures, representing 13.9% of global activity, and grew by approximately 2.0% compared with H1 2025. While European activity increased, growth remained below the global average and significantly behind North America, which rose 5.0% over the same period.
The headline numbers
| Region | H1 2026 departures | Share of global | Year-on-year |
|---|---|---|---|
| North America | 1,403,700 | 71.8% | +5.0% |
| Europe | 270,800 | 13.9% | +2.0% |
| Latin America | 155,000 | 7.9% | +4.6% |
| Australasia & APAC | 75,200 | 3.8% | +3.4% |
| Middle East | 28,600 | 1.5% | −17.8% |
| Africa | 20,900 | 1.1% | +1.9% |
| Global | 1,954,200 | 100.0% | +4.0% |
The Middle East contraction reflects the February conflict.
France: interpreting the figures
The DGAC’s November 2025 study recorded a 21.8% fall in commercial business aviation departures from metropolitan France by French operators in Q3 2025; foreign operators grew 4.0%, with the overall market up 0.9%. The study notes that factors beyond the tax change may also have contributed. For charter planning, request an itemised quote: aircraft positioning, fuel, airport charges and applicable taxes can affect the total.
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Fly With UsRegional differences and aircraft demand
European totals do not describe every route or travel period. WINGX’s March 2026 review identifies regional differences in European business jet activity. Its 2025 aircraft data shows that the Citation Excel/XLS and Phenom 300 together accounted for about 17% of European business jet departures, excluding turboprops. This is a historical activity measure, not a promise of charter availability. For current aircraft options, contact PVJets with your route and dates.
What this means for charter clients
When planning a charter, compare availability for your actual route and dates, the total trip price and the aircraft configuration. A regional activity total cannot confirm whether a particular aircraft will be available. Discuss nearby airports, luggage needs and schedule flexibility with your advisor before choosing an option.
The PVJets view
Market reports provide useful context, but every charter request needs an itinerary-specific comparison. PVJets can compare aircraft and routing options against your travel requirements. Speak with a PVJets Private Aviation Advisor for a tailored proposal.
Sources: WINGX data reported by JETNET, JIQ Market Barometer, July 2026 (Edition 5) (29 July 2026); French Ministry for Transport and DGAC, Premiers retours sur la hausse de TSBA de mars 2025 (November 2025); WINGX, Industry Data Review for BBGA (March 2026). Regional table: SherpaReport, 1 August 2026.
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