New research(1) from Global Jet Capital, a provider of financing solutions for corporate aircraft, reveals there are around 1,742 midsize, large and jet airliner private aircraft in Europe, and 464 of these (27% of the European total) are in the UK and Germany. They have the largest mid to large fleets of private jets in Europe - 255 and 209
aircraft respectively.
Around 41% of Europe’s fleet of business aircraft is mid to large cabin, a significantly higher proportion than in the global fleet, where the corresponding figure is 32%.
Some 79% of Portugal’s 126 business aircraft are mid to heavy in size. This is followed by Russia, where 74% of its fleet of business aircraft are in this category, and Austria where the corresponding figure is 59%.
| Country | Midsize, heavy and jet airliner fleet size | Share of country’s fleet of business aircraft |
| United Kingdom | 255 | 46% |
| Germany | 209 | 27% |
| Russia | 144 | 74% |
| Switzerland | 128 | 45% |
| Austria | 121 | 59% |
| Portugal | 99 | 79% |
| Italy | 65 | 36% |
| Spain | 59 | 35% |
| Belgium | 39 | 37% |
| Rest of Europe | 485 | 43% |
| All Europe | 1,742 | 41% |
Global Jet Capital believes that the European business aviation sector is looking more attractive as the region shows clearer signs of economic growth. The latest forecast from the European Commission shows that for the first time in nearly a decade, the economies of all EU Member States are expected to show growth throughout 2016, 2017 and 2018. Real GDP in the Euro area has also grown for 15 consecutive quarters and employment is growing.2
Matthias Müller, European Sales Director, Global Jet Capital, said:
“The European private jet market has been subdued for a number of years now, but the economic outlook is improving in the region and if this can be sustained over the long-term it should have a positive impact on the corporate aviation sector.”
Graeme Shanks, Northern Europe Sales Director, Global Jet Capital added: “The improving economic environment in Europe coupled with the fact that there are over 1,000 mid to heavy jets in the Continent means we have an increasingly positive outlook on this market.”
Global Jet Capital launched in 2014 and it is capitalized by three global investment firms – GSO Capital Partners, a Blackstone company in partnership with Franklin Square Capital Partners*; The Carlyle Group; and AE Industrial Partners. In January 2016 Global Jet Capital completed the purchase of GE’s corporate aircraft lease and loan book in the Americas.
The company’s current management team and executive committee is composed of leaders from business jet manufacturers, maintenance and service providers and leading financial institutions who have served the private aircraft industry for a combined 200-plus years and have completed over 3,500 aircraft transactions.
Notes to editors
1Global Jet Capital analysis of JetNet data, April 2017
2European Commission Winter 2017 Economic Forecast