Activity data across operator types and cabin classes shows genuine momentum. Fractional Ownership is one of the standout performers, expanding 10.0% on a TTM basis, 11.6% YTD, and 13.0% in April alone — one of the most consistent outperformers across all three timeframes. Medium Jets have been the standout cabin class so far in 2026, up 7.0% vs YTD 2025, driven by transcontinental capability and strong fractional fleet deployment.

• Africa and Latin America led regional TTM growth at +13.0% and +9.8% respectively
• Corporate Flight Departments remain under pressure, contracting 5.9% on a TTM basis, 7.7% YTD, and 9.5% in April
• March 2026 recorded the largest single month of fuel uplift in the WINGX dataset, driven by Spring Break leisure travel and TSA displacement demand
• The Middle East contracted 17.1% YTD and 32.6% in April alone following the February conflict outbreak
• Business aviation serves 20x more unique city pairs than the top four global airlines combined — over 374,000 unique city pairs on a TTM basis

Key stat: UHNWI population reached a record 684,300+ globally in 2025, up from 658,000 in 2024. Both UHNWI growth and US corporate profits show a 0.84 correlation with global and US bizjet departures respectively.

The macro foundation underneath business aviation demand has rarely looked stronger on paper. US corporate profits hit their highest level on record in Q1 2026 at $3.9 trillion, with quarterly year-over-year growth exceeding 15%. The UHNWI population is projected to grow at a 5.5% CAGR through 2028. M&A activity rebounded sharply in 2025 with deal value reaching $4 trillion, and the full-year 2026 estimate of $4.7 trillion would represent the strongest M&A year since the 2021 peak.

• Global equity markets have delivered exceptional returns since 2016, with the S&P 500 recovering tentatively after early-year volatility
• Consumer sentiment reached a record low in May 2026 — the third consecutive monthly decline — driven by Strait of Hormuz supply disruptions
• US inflation has plateaued since mid-2024, remaining stubbornly above the Fed's 2% target and limiting room for rate cuts
• The US Federal Funds Rate fell to an average of 3.64% in early 2026; the ECB cut more aggressively, with its rate at 2.15% by Q1 2026
• An estimated $84 to $124 trillion in assets is expected to pass from Baby Boomers to younger generations over the next two decades, peaking between 2030 and 2045

Key stat: Commercial aviation disruption from TSA staffing shortfalls sent business aviation demand higher in Washington DC, New York, Houston, Atlanta, and New Orleans — all five metro areas posted positive bizjet growth in March while scheduled airline departures declined across each city.

794 bizjets were delivered globally in 2025. OEM backlogs across the top four manufacturers hit a combined record of $54.6 billion, up 10.8% YOY. Book-to-bill ratios above 1.0x at Bombardier, Gulfstream, and Embraer mean orders are outpacing deliveries. Pre-owned transactions rebounded 11.7% to 2,813 deals — approaching the pre-pandemic norm of ~2,700–2,800 annually.  

The pre-owned transaction trend rose above 15% year over year in December 2025, before compressing to just +2% in April 2026. The Apr-26 TTM total of 2,771 pre-owned transactions represents 2.2% growth — a sharp deceleration from the +16.8% full-year 2025 growth rate. Average days on market reached 98 days, up 11.3% versus the prior TTM period. Pre-owned asking prices have continued their gradual correction into 2026, with Large Jets now just 11% above 2019 levels.

• NetJets maintained its dominant position with 516k TTM departures at 13% of global activity, now approximately 65% above pre-COVID levels
• Flexjet posted 15.1% TTM growth and is nearly tripling its 2019 activity levels
• Wheels Up continues its prolonged contraction, declining 22% on an April 2026 TTM basis, now below 2019 levels
• Total pre-owned transaction value on an April 2026 TTM basis reached $19.25bn, down from $20.80bn in full-year 2025
• Newest aircraft (0-5 years old) remain exceptionally scarce at just 5% of for-sale inventory, down from 6% in 2025 and 9% in 2015
   

Key stat: Industry OEM backlog reached $58.2bn in Q1 2026. Bombardier's backlog surged 43.0% year over year, driven by demand for the Global 8000. Gulfstream maintains the largest backlog at $22.3bn, up 17.4%.

Regions outside North America and Europe accounted for almost 15% of global departures on a TTM basis, with Latin America and Africa outpacing mature markets by a wide margin. The Middle East saw fuel uplift running more than 40% below pre-conflict norms through Week 15 2026, though Week 20 briefly exceeded the pre-conflict baseline before Week 21 pulled back again. The global installed business jet fleet has grown from 11,000 aircraft in 2001 to roughly 25,500 as of April 2026 — a 3.4% compound annual growth rate sustained across 25 years of economic cycles.

• For-sale inventory as a percentage of the fleet was 6.7% in 2026 YTD, well below the 9-12% levels observed during 2014-2020
• 75% of for-sale inventory is now 16+ years old through April 2026, up from 70% last year and 57% in 2015
• Aircraft retirements totalled 229 units in 2025, or 0.9% of the installed base — well below the 2015-2022 average of approximately 275 units annually
• Super Midsize Jets lead all segments at 32.6 average hours per tail YTD, 19.9% above 2019 levels and 3.0% ahead of 2025 YTD
• The Embraer Phenom 300 is the most active bizjet type globally with 316,000 departures in the April 2026 TTM, growing 15% year over year