The Middle East aviation sector, particularly its business jet market, continues to demonstrate resilience amidst geopolitical tensions. Recent data indicates that approximately 700 business jets are based in the region, with Turkey hosting the largest population. Despite a temporary decline in activity, some regions, notably Israel, have experienced slight increases in traffic, while overall activity has decreased by around 5% since the start of the year.
Richard Koe, Managing Director of WingX, highlighted that the initial impact of regional conflicts saw a 26% drop in business jet activity, similar to patterns observed during the COVID-19 pandemic. He noted that business jets tend to maintain operations during disruptions due to their flexibility, unlike commercial airlines which are grounded more frequently.
Further, Koe observed an uptick in charter flights from the Middle East to Europe, particularly to the UK and France, likely driven by repatriation efforts and aircraft repositioning related to security concerns. Data also shows that in early March, aircraft worth an estimated US$4.9 billion were parked in the region; this number has declined as aircraft have been repositioned.
The sector is also influenced by rising oil prices, which significantly impact operating costs, especially for business jets, where fuel constitutes roughly 34% of operating expenses. Koe emphasized that historically, high oil prices have coincided with declines in business jet activity, noting the 2008 recession as a notable example.
Looking ahead, the long-term outlook remains stable. Deliveries of new jets slowed after pandemic surges but are expected to grow annually by about 2–3%. The global fleet continues to be dominated by the United States, with Asia experiencing the most growth in recent years. Many jets delivered decades ago remain operational, illustrating the longevity of these aircraft. Koe concluded that, despite short-term volatility, the market remains favorable for sellers, with worldwide deliveries up 14% in 2025 and operational activity still growing at about 3% globally.
