Victor Market Insights: 2025 So Far
According to WingX data, the third quarter of 2025 is shaping up to be the strongest of the year for private aviation, with flight demand trending towards 4% growth globally. Crucially, that momentum comes despite lingering tariffs and macroeconomic headwinds that many analysts once feared would dent demand. Instead, the market is proving remarkably resilient.
Leisure traffic remains robust, particularly to high-end resorts in Italy as the summer season draws to a close. The private aviation sector has always served as a useful barometer of global mobility, and 2025’s data reflects a sector not just recovering, but expanding.
Victor’s performance so far is emblematic of these wider trends: in the first nine months of the year, our flights have touched down in 108 countries and 423 cities, spanning major capitals and far-flung escapes alike, from Singapore to Fiji and Zimbabwe.
The breadth of this network is telling. Today’s private jet customer is more global in outlook than ever before - just as comfortable arranging short-haul hops within Europe as orchestrating long-range itineraries to secondary destinations that sit far beyond the reach of commercial carriers. This shift reflects the dual nature of modern demand: convenience and connectivity on one hand, and an appetite for access to the rarest and most remote experiences on the other.
Demand on the Rise
Flight Volume is firmly on the rise. Victor flight activity has climbed 24% compared with the same period in 2024, underlining how on-demand private jet charter remains resilient despite economic uncertainty. The slow but steady decline of jet fuel prices over the last 12 months has also helped to keep prices more stable.
The demand for particular destinations has varied quite drastically. Routes to Southern European hubs such as Milan (+23%), Barcelona (+23%) and Athens (+14%) have surged, reflecting both the return of cultural tourism and a renewed appetite for Mediterranean business centres. Florence, (+18%), and Venice (+11%) illustrates the gravitational pull of Italian cities as luxury and cultural hotspots.
By contrast, more traditional summer playgrounds show signs of plateauing: Ibiza is down 8%, Bodrum 10%, and Zurich a marginal 2%, suggesting some rotation in affluent traveller preferences.
US East Coast Traffic on the Rise
Across the Atlantic, the American market is even more dynamic. Miami has seen a remarkable 32% spike in flights. The influx of wealth has led to record-breaking real estate transactions across South Florida. According to Knight Frank’s Wealth Report, Miami ranks among the top five global cities for UHNW individuals, with a projected growth rate of 12 per cent in UHNWIs over the next five years.
New York has risen 13% and Los Angeles 9%, both solid gains that reinforce the strength of transatlantic and cross-continental demand. The data collectively point to a subtle recalibration: rather than chasing the most obvious hotspots, clients appear to be seeking out the usual hotspots, with a notable increase in traffic to the major cities.
Upgrading to Larger Aircraft
Since opening our Abu Dhabi headquarters in April 2024, we’ve seen a clear shift in demand towards midsize and ultra-long-range jets, particularly across the Middle East. The region is home to one of the highest concentrations of ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) globally, it is estimated the UAE alone hosts over 130,000 millionaires and private aviation is a natural extension of their lifestyle, whether for business, family, or leisure.
Our close relationship with leading operators such as Royal Jet, whose fleet includes some of the world’s most capable large-cabin aircraft, has only accelerated this trend. Clients who once opted for super-midsize jets are increasingly booking wide-cabin, intercontinental aircraft, reflecting both the global mobility of this community and their expectations of comfort, privacy, and connectivity.
Victor has already chartered 170 different aircraft types this year, ranging from nimble turboprops like the Pilatus PC-12 to wide-body stalwarts such as the Boeing 777 and Airbus A321 VIP. Yet the sharpest trendline is in the growth of specific models: bookings on the Embraer Lineage 1000 are up 117%, the Challenger 850 has risen 71%, the Global Express is up 69%, and the Citation XLS has gained 82%. Even the Phenom 300, smaller but highly efficient, has grown 47%. The picture is twofold. On the one hand, clients are upgrading to larger cabins with extended range to support their increasingly global travel patterns. On the other, they also appear to be prioritising newer, more fuel-efficient models.
Speed and Flexibility
Operational agility continues to be a defining Victor hallmark. Victor achieved a fastest-ever turnaround of just 59 minutes from enquiry to booking this year for a ‘go-now’ charter - an illustration of how time-critical missions can still be met with precision.
More broadly, booking behaviour is evolving. The average lead time has stretched to 40 days, reflecting both a stabilisation in travel planning and clients seeking better value by locking in earlier. Average flight times have edged up slightly, from 2 hours and 9 minutes to 2 hours and 15 minutes, hinting at a gentle drift toward longer regional routes.
Unlike most brokers who require 100% upfront, Victor can usually secure a private jet with a 30% deposit for flights booked more than 30 days in advance – ideal for those planning ahead for long-haul trips in particular.
In practical terms, this flexibility allows high-net-worth clients to retain liquidity for longer — an increasingly valued benefit in a world of rising interest rates and complex financial portfolios.
Group Charter’s Remarkable Year
Meanwhile, the Group Charter department, covering flights with 18+ passengers, has seen its best ever year to date. Activity is up 23% year-on-year, with operations spanning five continents and serving everything from global sports franchises to world-famous music artists and corporate delegations.
The split of demand - 32% corporate, 24% music, and 44% sports - underscores how our group charter department remains deeply embedded in the infrastructure of global business and entertainment.
As we aim to provide our clients and members with fully transparent and honest updates on the charter market, we’d be delighted to hear your perspective on the private aviation sector in 2025 so far. Our office is open 24/7 and we remain available for further insight or in case you wish to explore the charter market for an upcoming trip.
For more information contact: info@flyvictor.com