According to the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA), the business aviation industry in Europe represented 99.9 billion euros in production in 2021, 449,000 jobs and 1,407,503 flights. The EBAA has also published its 2022 Yearbook detailing the growth of business aviation in recent years, and the 10 European countries using private aviation. In this article, Inflight Chef Delight presents the top 5 countries in Europe that use private aviation the most.
N° 1 : France 🇫🇷
As Europe's leading private aviation nation for many years, France stands out not only for its impressive volume of aircraft movements, but also for its high-quality infrastructure and services.With 258,222 aircraft movements recorded in 2022, the country boasts a remarkable 36% increase on 2019, underlining the growing appeal of private jet use, particularly in the context of the post-pandemic recovery where flexibility and safety were more than ever paramount.
The Paris-Le Bourget and Nice Côte d'Azur airports stand out not only for their volume of traffic, but also for their ability to offer passengers high-end experiences. Le Bourget, dedicated exclusively to business aviation, is renowned for its tailor-made services, VIP lounges and easy access to the French capital. Nice Côte d'Azur, on the other hand, attracts an international clientele in search of the French Riviera, offering exceptional services and fast connections to the region's most popular destinations: Monaco to name but one.
N° 2 : United Kingdom 🇬🇧
Second on the podium: the United Kingdom. With 206,151 aircraft movements in 2022, the UK is showing great resilience, growing by 9% compared to 2019, despite the many health restrictions linked to the pandemic and the repercussions of Brexit. This performance positions it firmly in second place in Europe's private aviation sector, with London, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Manchester as the epicenters of this activity.
London, in particular, stands out as a major hub for private aviation, thanks to airports such as London City, Luton, and Farnborough, which offer privileged access to the British capital and its business districts. These airports are renowned for their state-of-the-art facilities and exclusive services, meeting the expectations of a demanding clientele in terms of comfort, discretion and efficiency.
Glasgow, Edinburgh and Manchester, meanwhile, attract a diverse clientele, from businessmen to celebrities, looking for direct links to the UK's most remote regions and access to major international events.
Their success is based on a combination of excellent infrastructure and high-quality customer service, making the UK a key player in European private aviation.
Despite recent obstacles, the country continues to strengthen its offering, investing in the modernization of its infrastructure and adopting innovative technologies to enhance the passenger experience. This dynamism, coupled with its strategic geographical position, ensures that the UK plays a leading role on the European private aviation scene.
N° 3 : Germany 🇩🇪
Germany, occupying third place on the podium with 187,496 aircraft movements in 2022, demonstrates impressive growth of 17% on 2019, underlining its key role in European private aviation.
Germany's large fleet of private jets is supported by a first-class airport infrastructure, with modern, efficient facilities specially designed to meet the needs of business aviation. The airports of Munich, Berlin, Stuttgart, Frankfurt and Cologne stand out in particular for their ability to offer fast, secure and top-of-the-range services, facilitating business and private travel across Europe and beyond.
Munich, for example, is renowned for its dedicated business aviation terminal, offering a seamless and exclusive travel experience. Berlin, with its new airport, has rapidly established itself as a strategic hub, while Stuttgart, Frankfurt and Cologne benefit from their central location in Europe, providing easy access to major business and tourist destinations.
N° 4 : Italy 🇮🇹
Italy, with 150,789 aircraft movements in 2022, is up 8% on 2019. This growth, though modest in comparison with some of its neighbors, testifies to Italy's enduring appeal in the private business and leisure aviation sector.
Italy's airport infrastructure, strategically distributed across the country, plays a key role in this success. Airports such as Rome Ciampino, Milan Linate and Venice Marco Polo, renowned for their dedicated private aviation terminals, offer top-of-the-range services that meet the requirements of the most sophisticated travellers. These facilities emphasize speed, confidentiality and comfort, guaranteeing a smooth and exclusive travel experience.
Rome Ciampino stands out for its privileged location close to the Italian capital, facilitating access to business centers and tourist sites. Milan Linate, meanwhile, is the preferred choice for fashion and business professionals, offering a gateway to one of Europe's most dynamic economic capitals. Venice Marco Polo offers direct access to the splendor and romance of Venice, attracting visitors in search of unique experiences.
Travelers choose Italy not only for its exceptional air services, but also for the overall experience the country offers, combining art, history, gastronomy and breathtaking scenery.
Italy continues to strengthen its position in the private aviation sector, thanks to its commitment to excellence in service, an adapted infrastructure and an incomparable cultural and tourist offering.
N° 5 : spain 🇪🇸
Spain is the final player in the "big five", with 107,765 aircraft movements in 2022. The country boasts an impressive 16% increase on 2019, placing it fifth in Europe's private aviation sector. This growth testifies to Spain's growing popularity as a key destination for business and leisure travel by private jet, underlining the country's appeal to travelers seeking a combination of sun, culture and first-rate hospitality infrastructure.
Spanish airports such as Madrid-Barajas, Barcelona-El Prat, Palma de Mallorca, Ibiza and Malaga are at the heart of this dynamic. Each of these airports offers terminals and services specifically adapted to the needs of private aviation, guaranteeing rapid arrival and departure procedures, exceptional privacy and comfort. Madrid and Barcelona, as economic and cultural centers, attract an international business clientele, while Palma de Mallorca, Ibiza and Malaga are prized for their upmarket vacation destinations.
Spain stands out not only for its high-quality aviation services, but also for its varied tourism offering. From the pristine beaches of the Balearic Islands to the artistic and historical treasures of Madrid and Barcelona, not to mention the Andalusian landscape and renowned gastronomy, Spain offers a complete experience that will appeal to the most discerning traveler.
Thanks to its investments, Spain has consolidated its position in the world of private aviation, taking Switzerland's place in the ranking.
For the curious, here are the next 5 countries behind the "big five":
Switzerland - 100,058 (+12%)
Austria - 43,927 (+10%)
Norway - 42,487 (+13%)
Turkey - 42,010 (+10%)
Sweden - 41,392 (+17%)
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