Business jet activity qtr 1 2023 Flight operations declined in Q1 2023. Departures were down 4.7 percent year-over-year and 6.2 percent compared to Q4 2022. Declines were led by the US and Europe, both of which experienced strong growth in the immediate post-COVID recovery. Charter operations also experienced a decline from post-COVID highs.
Demand remains well above pre-COVID levels, with Q1 2023 departures 14.1 percent higher than Q1 2019. A certain level of decline from post-COVID highs was expected as some users returned to commercial airlines (or reduced frequency of use of business aviation) as health and safety concerns diminished.vii Still, business aviation remains a “sticky” service with a strong value proposition (including flexibility, productivity, and comfort). Flight operations will likely find a new normal level that is lower than highs in 2022, but higher than pre-COVID levels.