This story is part of AIN's continuing coverage of the impact of the coronavirus on aviation.
Business aviation flight hours increased 87.5 percent between the second and third quarters, according to Jet Support Services’ (JSSI) quarterly Business Aviation Index. Further, business aviation activity has recovered to 78.4 percent of 2019 levels after average flight hours reached all-time lows in April due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The index is based on global utilization for more than 2,000 jets, turboprops, and helicopters enrolled in JSSI hourly cost maintenance programs. Month-over-month flight activity climbed 7.1 percent between August and September, the first monthly increase in flying hours since the third quarter of last year.
“While this quarter reflects a welcome sign for business aviation, utilization is still down 21.6 percent year-over-year,” said JSSI president and CEO Neil Book. “I think we will see elevated leisure travel during the winter months, as tighter travel restrictions coupled with the virus resurgence will continue to inhibit business-related flight hours.”
Among industries using business aviation, business services and financial services recovered the most flying hours in the third quarter with gains of 84.3 and 111.4 percent, respectively. Large aircraft had the largest year-over-year flight hour decrease during the period—30.7 percent—while small-cabin aircraft had the least, at 2.1 percent.
All regions saw flight-hour increases but the most acute were found in Central and South America, according to the index.
