Olympics Provide European Business Aviation Boost

The opening of the Summer Olympic Games on Friday in Paris provided a boost to private aviation in the host city. According to industry data tracker Argus International, the overwhelming majority of this traffic went to Le Bourget Airport (LFPB), which saw a more than 34% increase in arrivals compared with the same July period a year ago. Of the 705 business aircraft arrivals, there were 189 ultra-long-range, 145 large, 83 super-midsize, 64 midsize, and 40 very light jets, as well as 14 twin-engine and 50 single-engine turboprops.

Despite that surge, Argus senior v-p for software Travis Kuhn told BJT that for July, this year’s arrivals at LFBP are down by nearly 10% versus 2023.

Space at LFPB is at a premium, with ExecuJet reporting that its hangar and ramp parking are fully booked. Signature said it received a steady flow of traffic at its facility but, due to high slots and parking restrictions at the airport, it was limited to quick turnarounds since its parking was full as well.

Universal Weather and Aviation noted that it is coordinating spillovers to regional airports where it has made arrangements, adding that due to the high-security measures in and around the French capital, all non-Olympic travel is simply avoiding the area. That, it said, has helped offset some of the congestion.

WingX noted that the Olympics—along with other major July sporting events such as the Euro soccer tournament, Wimbledon, and the British Open Golf Tournament—sparked a 4% increase in business jet activity in Europe compared to the previous month, down 10% compared with the peak in 2022, and a 15% increase from pre-COVID July 2019.