Stats from above #14

As the month wraps up, we’re slowly but surely approaching the end of summer. And what better way to close out the season than with the newest edition of our monthly blog, Stats from Above? In this series, we delve into the fascinating statistics from the world of business aviation, covering popular destinations, busiest routes, top airports, and the most commonly used jet types. In this month's edition, we’re looking at the intriguing data from June. If you’d like to catch up on the previous statistics, we suggest you look at the Stats from Above from May.

Stats from Above

Let’s take a closer look at the statistics provided by our partners at the EBAA for June. As summer continued to heat up, so did the skies, with a notable increase in activity. A total of 1,562 airports were bustling with 79,528 arriving flights, reflecting the beginning of the summer travel season. As temperatures rose, the number of flights followed suit, continuing a steady upward trend.

This surge in air travel was also seen in the number of active airplanes, which reached 5,362. Turboprops remained at the forefront with 16,687 departing flights, closely followed by Light Jets with 14,406 departures, and Super Light Jets in third place with 9,929 departures. The warm weather clearly played a significant role in boosting these numbers.

Busiest airports and routes

Looking at June’s busiest airports, compared to the previous month the only thing that has changed is the numbers. The top 3 busiest airports by the number of arriving remain the same – Paris Le Bourget has maintained its lead with 2,999 flights, Nice-Côte d'Azur airport has come in a strong second place with 2,319 flights and bringing up the rear of the top three is  Geneva Cointrin Airport with 1,673 arriving flights.

As the temperatures continue to rise in June, we’re once again revisiting the French Riviera, which is seeing a surge in visitors. It’s, therefore, no surprise that Nice-Côte d'Azur Airport was the second most frequented airport by number of arrivals this month. Let’s explore the events that have drawn jet setters to the beautiful French coastline.

The French Riviera saw a bevy of events taking place in June in its various cities and towns. Monaco hosted the 63rd Monte-Carlo Television Festival with famous actors and producers in attendance. Among the attendees was Morgan Freeman, who was honoured with a Crystal Nymph award for his work. The other major event that took place in June was the Ironman France Nice triathlon, which saw athletes from around the world flock to the city to test their strengths.

Jet of the Month – Bombardier Challenger 604

June’s Jet of the Month is the Bombardier Challenger 604. We’ve already covered its successor the 605 in a previous edition of the blog. Manufactured by Canadian jet producer Bombardier, the Challenger 605 was created as a successor to the popular Challenger 601. The 604 sported many upgrades and improvements, including newer engines, added saddle tanks to carry more fuel, and structural wing and tail improvements. Manufactured between 1995 and 2006 there were 365 jets produced before the introduction of the newer 605 model.

Similar to its successor, the Challenger 604 is considered a long-range private jet, seating up to twelve passengers and providing ample comfort during their trips. Of course, the number of passengers a jet can carry is not set in stone and the interior can be configured to suit the needs of the owner. The 604 is equipped with a pair of General Electric CF34-3B engines, which allow it to reach a long-range cruise speed of 424 knots and a maximum range of 3,995 nautical miles or almost 7,400 kilometers.

When it comes to the interior, like most long-range private jets, the 604 is designed so it can fulfill the needs passengers may have on their long-haul journeys. Common configurations include comfortable executive seats with foldout tables and a comfortable divan that can seat up to four passengers. You can also expect a fully equipped galley for your beverages and food preparation.

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So how much will a Bombardier Challenger 604 cost you? Well as is always the case, there are several factors you need to consider that will have an impact on the private jet’s final price. The age of the jet, its configuration, its maintenance record, and how many flight hours can all influence the price tag of the jet you’re interested in. Where the Challenger 604 is concerned you can be looking at prices ranging from around US$6 million and going up to almost US$8 million.There are more than 300 challenger 604 active jets in service today. On average these jets tend to be on the market for around 6 months before they’re sold, so if you’re in the market for one you can consider your options and make an educated decision.  

If you’d like to purchase a Bombardier Challenger 604 and would like advice on the purchasing process, we’d be happy to assist you on your jet-buying journey, so, don’t hesitate to contact us.

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