Monday, August 12, 2024 The 2024 Paris Olympics has sparked a remarkable surge in business jet arrivals, significantly aiding the recovery of the private travel market following a relatively sluggish first half of the year. The influx of elite athletes, government officials, and corporate executives to France for the global sporting event has been a key driver of this rebound. This summer, Europe has emerged as the bright spot for the business jet market, with the Olympics drawing record numbers of private jet flights to France.
The United Kingdom has also seen an influx of sports fans arriving by private jets, creating what aviation consultancy WingX described as “bumper demand” for private jet travel, according to their report released on August 7. During the week of July 22 to July 28, business jet activity in France surged by 17% compared to the same period last year. Europe as a whole recorded a 4% increase in business jet activity, while the UK posted a 10% jump, according to WingX data.
Paris, in particular, saw a staggering 58% year-on-year increase in business jet arrivals during this week, with Paris Le Bourget airport recording an impressive 713 business jet arrivals over the seven days. The boost in trans-Atlantic business jet activity was also notable, with flights from New York airports to Paris airports jumping 400% year-on-year in the week ending July 28, primarily driven by the Olympics. The global rise in sports tourism is presenting new growth opportuni.