The European business aviation sector notched up 78,785 departures in August 2017 making it “the busiest ever August for flight activity, exceeding August 2008 by 1.3%,” according to specialist analyst WINGX Advance. The monthly total was up 5.5% year-on-year and takes the year-to-date trend to 3.3% – an extra 18,047 flights compared to 2016. WINGX Advance identified charter demand as the main catalyst for growth, with jet charters up more than 10% year-on-year. This it attributed to cheaper charter rates available on older aircraft and the price-transparency and speed offered by innovative new booking platforms. The UK, Spain, France, Switzerland and Italy recorded substantial growth, particularly with regard to charter (AOC) flights. Southeast Europe also saw “significant” growth during August, with double digit hikes in both Greece and Turkey.