UBS: Bizjet Market Remaining at Low Levels
The UBS Business Jet Market Index was unchanged from April, when it had reached the lowest level since early 2009.

The business jet market remains at its lowest level since 2009 as customer interest in North America declines further, according to the latest UBS Business Jet Market Index. The UBS index tracks changes in market conditions using surveys measuring customer interest, pricing, 12-month outlook, inventory and willingness to increase inventory.


The most recent index is unchanged from the April index, which had dipped to the lowest level since early 2009. The overall index rates the market at 29 (out of 100), with the large-cabin market dropping a percentage point to 27. The midsize market is down 7 percent to 29, while the small-cabin index improved 7 percent to 32. An index above 50 denotes growth.


Customer interest in North America has weakened further, dropping from 48 last month to 46 this month, again the lowest level since UBS began tracking regional data in 2011. Customer interest in North America, however, remained above that in other regions of the world, even with improving scores in Europe, Latin America and the Middle East.


The index further measured a 16-percent improvement in pricing and a 15-percent improvement in the 12-month outlook. But pre-owned inventory levels worsened slightly and customer interest overall was down 10 percent.


A majority of survey respondents pointed to weakness in emerging markets and currency devaluation as the cause of dampened business jet market results. Three-quarters of respondents see this weakness as affecting large-cabin business jets more than other categories.


But UBS market analysts believe this down cycle might be temporary. “We ultimately see the market improving on pent-up corporate replacement demand in North America,” they said.