Business aviation flight activity last month in North America soared 3.4 percent year-over-year, according to data released today by aviation services group Argus International. This handily beat the company’s forecast for 1.9-percent growth in June; for this month, it is projecting a 2.7-percent climb.
The Part 135 charter segment was once again out in front, with flying up 6.2 percent from a year ago. Part 91 activity logged a gain of 2.5 percent, while fractional activity fell by 0.5 percent. All aircraft categories saw increases last month, led by large-cabin-jet and turboprop flying, which were up 6.2 percent and 5.3 percent, respectively. Light jet flying jumped by 2.5 percent while midsize jet activity finally turned the corner, rising 0.8 percent.
Looking at individual results, Part 135 turboprop flying logged the largest, and only double-digit, gain at 12.2 percent. Part 135 large-cabin jets and fractional light jets also had strong showings, climbing 9 percent and 8.5 percent, respectively. Fractional midsize jet activity saw the largest loss, dropping 5.5 percent. Argus’s TraqPak data logs serial-number-specific aircraft arrival and departure information on all IFR flights in the U.S. and Canada.
