Where are people flying to this summer?

By Kerstin Mumenthaler, accountable manager at AXIS Aviation

Holidaymakers around the world have switched on their ‘out of office’ and are getting ready to unwind this summer. At AXIS Aviation, we know that the journey is just as important as the destination. Our seasoned team is committed to creating unforgettable travel experiences.

We’re already seeing an increase in charter inquiries, with people looking to visit popular holiday destinations. Whether it’s a romantic getaway to the French Riveria, a family trip to the Greek islands, or a solo break to the Amalfi Coast; there are a number of travel trends influencing the sector in 2024.

A summer of sport

Europe has already attracted thousands of international tourists this summer, thanks to the abundance of sporting events. We’ve helped fly passengers in and around Germany during the recent European championships in football. To ensure our customers could enjoy the games without having to worry about the crowds, we flew to smaller, nearby airports with better slot availability and flexibility.

While London attracts visitors all year round, there’s no doubting the appeal of the historic Wimbledon tournament and its impact on charter travel. Throughout the Grand Slam event, we experienced a high volume of charter requests from customers looking to take small to medium sized jets into the city for a day spent with family, friends and colleagues. The same can be said for events such as the Monaco Grand Prix, that generally appeal to a high calibre of cliental including jet owners.

We expect this trend to continue throughout the coming months, particularly with the Paris Olympics underway. Though we always advise travellers to book their flights as early as possible, our team is well equipped to deal with last-minute requests and will always deliver an unmatched flight experience.

Popular summer destinations

As the events calendar continues to fill through the remaining summer months, we anticipate a busy time for European jet operators.

But for those looking to escape the crowds, unwind and relax, Croatia has come top of people’s travel wish list this year. A growing number of clients are choosing to fly into places like Dubrovnik, as well as smaller towns along the coastline, to enjoy the crystal blue water and Mediterranean seafood. Similarly, Montenegro has been favoured by those looking to avoid over-populated destinations and is known for its medieval towns and natural beauty.

While flight requests to hotspots like Ibiza, Italy, the Greek Islands and the French Riveria will always increase during summer, it seems like a growing number of travellers are opting for seclusion and exclusivity when it comes to their summer escape.

Preparing for summer

Summer can often be a challenging time for operators. Airspace and airport congestion can be tricky to navigate, particularly as parking availability becomes strained at popular destinations. That said, our priority is to maintain quality service during this period and help our customers get to their destination smoothly.

We currently have a range of jets available for charter and can offer customers the right aircraft for their trip. For those travelling long-haul or from overseas, we have long-range jets available like the Gulfstream G550 and G650. For those coming from nearby cities or travelling around Europe, we can offer small to medium-sized aircraft.

Our team of experts have already handled an influx of requests this summer and are well prepared for the months ahead. We believe communication is the key to enabling us to collaborate efficiently. Our statistical data, procured through our end-to-end proprietary data platform, helps us to identify potential challenges early on. Coupled with deep sector knowledge of international trends, we can effectively plan ahead, while considering potential roadblocks or special requirements.

Employee wellbeing is crucial to making any operation a success. We prioritise the rest and welfare of our employees and understand that while our customers need a break, the same applies to our team. Where possible, we offer flexibility during the summer period, accommodating to team holiday requests and remote working. We believe that a healthy, happy team allows us to deliver the best service possible to our clients.

Making summer unforgettable

AXIS Aviation is a fast-growing charter and fleet management company, with a diverse fleet, experienced team and offices across Europe and South Africa. Paired with innovative thinking and the latest technology, we can work as efficiently as possible to serve new passenger demand. But what truly sets us apart from our competitors, is an unmatched degree of flexibility and personalisation, which makes for a truly unforgettable flight experience.