✈️ Global Business Aviation Growth Nearly Stalls in May, North America Carries the Weight Alone
Avi-Go data shows that global business jet departures reached 528,142 in May 2026, up just 0.77% from 524,108 in the same period of 2025, with growth nearly at a standstill. This marginal increase was almost entirely driven by the North American market: the United States contributed +10,827 departures (year-over-year +3.03%) and Canada contributed +2,045 departures (year-over-year +14.08%), with the two countries adding a combined 12,872 departures, while the remaining Top 10 countries posted a net decline of approximately 6,200 departures in aggregate. The steepest drops were recorded in Australia (-22.12%), followed by Brazil (-8.49%), Germany (-7.78%), and the United Kingdom (-7.36%), with European and Southern Hemisphere markets showing a synchronized weakening trend.
Impact: For operators and brokers reliant on cross-regional repositioning, the high geographic concentration of demand signals rising empty-leg costs — declining aircraft utilization in markets outside North America will directly compress pricing margins and scheduling flexibility on transatlantic and transpacific routes. The simultaneous contraction across multiple European countries (France -5.07%, United Kingdom -7.36%, Germany -7.78%) also means that intra-regional complementary repositioning becomes more difficult, reducing the ability to buffer against single-market volatility.
Recommendation: Operators and brokers should complete a demand forecast review for markets outside North America by the end of June 2026, identifying the structural versus seasonal drivers behind the steeper declines in markets such as Australia and Brazil, and adjusting fleet deployment priorities for Q3 2026 accordingly. At the same time, the robust demand in North America can be leveraged proactively to promote cross-regional charter solutions to clients, helping to offset the revenue gap created by contraction in more distant markets.