Private jet statistics.
Global business aviation activity rose 5.6% year on year in July 2026 according to ARGUS TRAQPak, and WINGX puts 2026 year-to-date business jet activity 3.4% ahead of 2025 through 13 September, with North America accounting for 70.1% of global traffic. The United States recorded over 1.5 million private jet departures in the first half of 2024, more than fourteen times Canada in second place.
| Global business aviation activity, July 2026 | +5.6% year on year (ARGUS TRAQPak); North America +4.3%, Europe −1.2%, rest of world +18.5% (Aviation News, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Global business jet activity, 2026 year to date | +3.4% through 13 September 2026 (WINGX); North America 70.1% of global traffic; Europe +1.3% (WINGX, 2026) |
| Global departures, 2026 year to date (week 32) | About 3.8% ahead of 2025; nearly 320,000 flights worldwide in the four weeks to mid-August (Private Jet Card Comparisons, 2026) |
| Private jet departures by country, first half 2024 | United States over 1.5 million; Canada just under 102,000; France 56,294; United Kingdom 48,965; Australia 44,448; Germany 43,471; Mexico 41,694 (Blacklane, 2026) |
| Business aircraft based in Europe | 3,982 at the end of February 2026 (JetNet data via EBAA) (EBAA industry data (JetNet fleet data), 2026) |
| Category activity, July 2026 | Turboprops +4.7%, light jets +4.2%, midsize jets +4.1% year on year (Aviation News, 2026) |
What do the numbers say about private aviation in 2026?
Activity is growing modestly, led by North America, with Europe flat and the rest of the world growing fastest.
| Statistic | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Global business aviation activity, July 2026 | +5.6% year on year (ARGUS TRAQPak); North America +4.3%, Europe −1.2%, rest of world +18.5% | Aviation News (2026-08-11) |
| Global business jet activity, 2026 year to date | +3.4% through 13 September 2026 (WINGX); North America 70.1% of global traffic; Europe +1.3% | WINGX (2026-09-14) |
| Global departures, 2026 year to date (week 32) | About 3.8% ahead of 2025; nearly 320,000 flights worldwide in the four weeks to mid-August | Private Jet Card Comparisons (2026-08-14) |
| Private jet departures by country, first half 2024 | United States over 1.5 million; Canada just under 102,000; France 56,294; United Kingdom 48,965; Australia 44,448; Germany 43,471; Mexico 41,694 | Blacklane (2026-08-27) |
| Business aircraft based in Europe | 3,982 at the end of February 2026 (JetNet data via EBAA) | EBAA industry data (JetNet fleet data) (2026-02) |
| Category activity, July 2026 | Turboprops +4.7%, light jets +4.2%, midsize jets +4.1% year on year | Aviation News (2026-08-11) |
| Light jet hourly rate, 2026 | $3,500–$5,500 per block hour (median of three published guides) | Paramount Business Jets (2026-08); Amalfi Jets (2026-06-15); Jetvice (2026-09-01) |
| Heavy jet hourly rate, 2026 | $9,000–$15,000 per block hour | Paramount Business Jets (2026-08); Amalfi Jets (2026-06-15); Jetvice (2026-09-01) |
How do I cite this page?
Quote the figure with its original source and link to this page for the compilation.
Empty Leg Exclusive (2026). Private jet statistics. https://emptylegexclusive.com/private-jet-statistics/. Accessed [date].
Each statistic is from a named third-party source; please credit that source for the figure and this page for the compilation.
Frequently asked questions
How many private jets are there?
This page does not carry a global fleet total because no figure with a primary source and a 2026 date was verified at the last review. EBAA reports 3,982 business aircraft based in Europe at the end of February 2026.
Which country has the most private jet flights?
The United States, with over 1.5 million departures in the first half of 2024 according to figures reported by Blacklane; Canada was second with just under 102,000.
Is business aviation growing in 2026?
Yes, modestly. ARGUS TRAQPak reported global activity up 5.6% year on year in July 2026 and WINGX put the year to date at +3.4% through mid-September, with North America growing and Europe roughly flat.
How are these statistics kept current?
They are reviewed quarterly against the sources listed, and the last-reviewed date changes only when a figure changes.
Sources
- Aviation News, "Global Business Aviation Flight Activity Surges 5.6 Percent in July 2026" (reporting ARGUS Analytics TRAQPak), 2026-08-11 (accessed 2026-09-20). July 2026 vs July 2025: global +5.6%, North America +4.3%, Europe −1.2%, rest of world +18.5%; turboprops +4.7%, light jets +4.2%, midsize +4.1%.
- WINGX, weekly bulletin, week 37 2026, 2026-09-14 (accessed 2026-09-20). Published 16 September 2026. Global business jet activity flat in week 37 (7–13 September); year to date +3.4%; North America 70.1% of global traffic; Europe year to date +1.3%, week 37 +5.1%; Middle East week 37 −3.9%.
- Private Jet Card Comparisons, "Private Jet Flight Activity Analysis – 2026 – Week 32" (WINGX data), 2026-08-14 (accessed 2026-09-20). Global departures about 3.8% ahead of 2025 year to date through week 32; nearly 320,000 flights worldwide in the previous four weeks.
- Blacklane, "The World’s Busiest Private Jet Airports – 2026 Guide" (citing Private Jet Card Comparisons), 2026-08-27 (accessed 2026-09-20). Private jet departures in the first half of 2024: United States over 1.5 million, Canada just under 102,000, France 56,294, United Kingdom 48,965, Australia 44,448, Germany 43,471, Mexico 41,694. The article is a 2026 update but the country figures it quotes are for H1 2024.
- EBAA industry data (JetNet fleet data), 2026-02 (accessed 2026-09-20). 3,982 business aircraft based in Europe at the end of February 2026.
- Paramount Business Jets, "Private Jet Rental | Jet Cost & Hourly Rates (2026)", 2026-08 (accessed 2026-09-20)
- Amalfi Jets, "Private Jet Cost Per Hour 2026: Rates by Jet Type", 2026-06-15 (accessed 2026-09-20)
- Jetvice, "Private Jet Charter Hourly Rates 2026", 2026-09-01 (accessed 2026-09-20)
Last reviewed 20 September 2026 by Empty Leg Exclusive Editorial Team.
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