The traffic data recorded worldwide in the commercial aviation sector throughout 2020 are very bleak and show widespread falls of over 70% in both departures and passenger numbers. These figures are even worse if we factor in the drop in revenues that airlines have recorded throughout the year. This disastrous situation of the industry is widespread, with certain markets falling even harder than these shocking figures. This is not the case, however, when we look at data for the private aviation sector, where we have observed a moderate fall of -24.4% globally, despite the numerous and intermittent closures of different airspaces throughout the world. 

Unlike the homogeneous decline in scheduled commercial air transport, the evolution of private aviation shows mixed results in different geographical areas, and even differences between markets belonging to the same area. There is a wide range of variations in the number of departures recorded in 2020 compared to the previous year. We can observe practically imperceptible drops in certain markets and more noticeable ones elsewhere, although they never reach the depth of the decline recorded by commercial aviation.  

There are even markets that recorded growth and, in some cases, even at very significant rates. Among the most noteworthy is the evolution registered in Iraq, which has grown by 96% although it only accounts for 0.03% of global yearly departures, and also Latvia, which shows a growth of 64.6% compared to 2019, but which again only accounts for 0.07% of the total number of flights operated in 2020.  

Among the main players, the USA and Canada decreased -23.6% and 23.2% respectively. It is worth noting that North America, as a geographical area, represents 75.8% of the sector worldwide, i.e. more than 5 times the volume of departures recorded in the second largest market, Europe. 

Only South America is showing growth, recording 15.2% more local departures, accompanied by Oceania, which also grew by 6%, despite Australia and New Zealand recording moderate falls. 

This infographic shows data covering approximately 90% of recorded departures worldwide and offers the possibility to draw multiple conclusions depending on the perspective used.

Articles in this series: 

Private Aviation in 2020. Introduction

Worldwide Private Aviation in 2020. Part 1

Worldwide Private Aviation in 2020. Part 2

Private Aviation in 2020 in Europe. Part 1

Private Aviation in 2020 in Europe. Part 2

Private Aviation in 2020 in Europe. Part 3

Private Aviation in 2020 in Spain. Part 1

Private Aviation in 2020 in Spain. Part 2

Coming soon:

Private Aviation in 2020 in Spain. Part 3

Private Aviation in 2020 in Spain. Part 4

Private Aviation in 2020 in Spain. Part 5

Private Aviation in 2020 in Spain. Part 6

Private Aviation in 2020 in Spain. Part 7