PC-24: Europe's #4 model and a growth story
The Pilatus PC-24 was Europe's #4 most active aircraft model in 2025 with 29,585 flights — up 13.64% year-over-year according to Avi-Go RD200 data. Europe recorded 519,819 total departures (+1.77% YoY), meaning the PC-24 grew nearly eight times faster than the continental average.
That growth trajectory contrasts with the broader light jet category, which flew 51.19% of European departures (266,088 flights) but declined 1.47% year-over-year. The PC-24 is gaining share within a category that is otherwise contracting — a signal that operators and charter buyers are selecting it for specific mission advantages.
Switzerland's Pilatus designed the PC-24 for operators who need jet performance without paved-runway constraints. European geography — alpine resorts, Mediterranean islands, corporate sites with grass strips — creates natural demand for exactly that capability. The +13.64% growth rate suggests fleet additions are accelerating as early adopters demonstrate the aircraft's operational value.
29,585 departures. +13.64% YoY. #4 model in Europe. — Avi-Go RD200, 2025
What drives PC-24 adoption in Europe
The PC-24 combines jet speed with unpaved runway capability — a rare pairing that opens alpine airports, island strips and secondary fields that conventional light jets cannot serve. For European itineraries touching Switzerland, the Mediterranean islands or remote corporate sites, that flexibility eliminates ground transfers that can exceed flight time.
Europe's #1 model remains the Citation XLS family at 47,945 departures (9.2% of European flights). The PC-24 does not yet challenge that volume leadership, but its +13.64% growth rate suggests fleet additions are accelerating — particularly among operators who value runway versatility over maximum cabin volume.
PC-24 vs established European light jets
The Phenom 300 leads light jets globally (262,365 departures) but the PC-24's European growth reflects regional mission fit rather than global scale. The Citation CJ3 (77,188 global departures) and Praetor 600 (+42.99% YoY in Europe) compete in overlapping segments, but only the PC-24 offers unpaved runway certification in a jet airframe.
Buyers choosing between these platforms should weigh runway requirements first. Our aircraft selection guide covers the light-jet class boundaries; the PC-24's differentiator is field performance, not cabin size.
PC-24 on European corridors
London appeared in five of Europe's top ten city pairs in 2025, with London–Paris ranking #1 at 4,384 flights. London charter demand draws primarily conventional light jets on paved runways, but PC-24 growth concentrates on routes where airport access — not city-pair frequency — is the binding constraint.
Q3 2025 was Europe's peak quarter with 165,552 flights. Mediterranean leisure routes to Nice, Ibiza and Mykonos — where secondary airports and shorter runways are common — are natural PC-24 territory during the summer surge.
Nice (NCE), Ibiza (IBZ) and Mykonos (JMK) reported record business jet movements during July–August 2025, driven by Mediterranean leisure and events including Monaco GP and Wimbledon. The PC-24's ability to access airports with limited infrastructure makes it the preferred choice for summer charter drops to these destinations.
Growth context: PC-24 and Praetor 600
The Embraer Praetor 600 was Europe's second-fastest-growing model by absolute flights in 2025 (+3,266 flights, +42.99% YoY). Both the PC-24 and Praetor 600 represent new-generation light jets gaining share against established types like the XLS family — though from different starting bases and with different mission profiles.
Empty-leg supply for newer types builds as fleet numbers grow. Our empty-leg aircraft mix report tracks how aircraft category distribution shifts over time; PC-24 empty legs will increase as the installed base expands.
Booking a Pilatus PC-24 charter
The PC-24's 2025 European performance — 29,585 departures, +13.64% growth, #4 model ranking — confirms its emergence as a serious charter option on the continent. For trips requiring jet speed with unpaved or short-runway access, it has no direct competitor.
Review specifications on our Pilatus PC-24 charter page. All figures are from the Avi-Go Global Business Aviation Annual Report 2025 (RD200).
Verified data & source
Figures in this briefing are drawn exclusively from the Avi-Go Global Business Aviation Annual Report 2025 (RD200). Key verified statements:
- The Pilatus PC-24 was Europe's #4 most active model in 2025 with 29,585 flights (+13.64% YoY).
- Europe recorded 519,819 business jet departures in 2025 (+1.77% YoY), representing 14.79% of global volume.
- Light jets flew 51.19% of Europe's business aviation departures in 2025 (266,088 flights), though the category declined 1.47% YoY.
- The Citation Excel/XLS/XLS+ was Europe's most active aircraft model in 2025 with 47,945 departures (9.2% of European flights).
- The Embraer Praetor 600 was Europe's second-fastest-growing model by absolute flights in 2025 (+3,266 flights, +42.99% YoY).
Frequently asked questions
How many PC-24 flights occurred in Europe in 2025?
29,585 departures, ranking #4 among aircraft models on the continent with +13.64% year-over-year growth.
How does PC-24 growth compare to the light jet category?
Light jets flew 51.19% of European departures but declined 1.47% YoY. The PC-24 grew +13.64% — gaining share within a contracting category.
What makes the PC-24 unique among light jets?
Unpaved runway capability combined with jet speed — opening alpine, island and secondary airports that conventional light jets cannot serve.
Is the PC-24 Europe's most-flown model?
No. The Citation XLS family leads with 47,945 departures (9.2% of European flights). The PC-24 ranks #4 but is growing faster.