Amy Wilder is a private pilot with more than two decades of experience as a writer and editor in a career spanning journalism, marketing, and communications. 
She has worked in aviation journalism since 2023, combining a lifelong passion for flight and a love of the aviation community with a penchant for storytelling. As a licensed pilot, she brings firsthand insight to the stories she covers, lending an authentic, on-the-ground perspective to industry coverage.
She holds a Master of Arts in Eastern Classics and a Master of Arts in Liberal Arts, both from St. John&#039;s College in Santa Fe, New Mexico, along with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Culture.

Writer

Amy Wilder

North American business aviation activity rose slightly in August amid signs of softening demand, according to the latest TraqPak report from Argus International. With a 7.9% gain, fractional operators drove the region’s 0.3% year-over-year (YOY) increase, while Part 135 flying was flat and Part 91 activity fell 2.9% on double-digit declines in midsize and large-cabin jets within this operational category. Globally, flight activity climbed 0.6% YOY, with Europe posting its second consecutive monthly decline, falling 1%.
“August is normally a transition month on the calendar where summer leisure flying cools with back-to-school, and we saw that again this year. Overall activity was positive, which is a good indicator that the market is still healthy,” said Travis Kuhn, senior v-p of software for Argus. “We do forecast a decline in September in North America, but we initially forecasted that during our annual report in January, which, more than anything, indicates that market has remained relatively stable throughout 2026.”
Among the four broad aircraft categories in North America, turboprops posted the largest yearly gain at 3.3%, followed by light jets at 2.9%. Midsize jets fell 1.9% YOY, and large-cabin jets declined 6.2%. Looking at the report’s 12 more granular segments, which break out each aircraft category by operational type, seven were positive for the month, with the largest individual gain coming from the large-cabin jet fractional segment, up 14.9% YOY.
In Europe, large-cabin jets drove most of the decline, falling 6.4%, while light jets slipped 5.1%. Turboprops and midsize jets posted yearly gains of 9.2% and 1.9%, respectively, in the region.
The remaining regions—Africa, Asia, Australia, and South America—recorded the strongest growth of any area tracked in the report, with combined activity up 17.4% year over year, bolstered by a 27.6% increase in turboprop flying. Light jets rose 13.9%, large-cabin jets rose 6.9%, and midsize jets rose 6.2%.
TraqPak analysts project North American activity will decline 0.1% YOY this month, with European activity expected to fall 0.4% over the same period.

Issues regarding financing of aircraft; aviation insurance; tax issues for aircraft operators; new companies and people in the aviation financing and insurance industries.

Fractional Growth Offsets Softening Demand in North America, Argus Says

Europe posts second consecutive year-over-year decline

North American business aviation activity stayed positive in August but softened, Argus reported, as fractional gains offset falling Part 91 demand.

Argus: North America Bizav Is Up YOY as Demand Softens

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Pre-tax earnings for service group climb 20.6%

NetJets, FlightSafety Revenue Rises in First-half 2026

Hanneke Weitering

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

Financing supports Eco Caravan certification and hybrid-electric APU development

Ampaire Raises $19 Million for Hybrid-electric Airplanes

Kerry Lynch

Moody's assigned a Ba2 credit rating, up from Ba3, while maintaining a positive outlook

Moody's Upgrades Bombardier as Balance Sheet Improves

Matt Thurber

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

Decision support system helps pilots assess risks up to 14 days ahead of planned flight

PlaneWX Pilots Save with 5X5 Insurance Safety Rewards

Component sales boosted Beta’s second-quarter revenue

Beta Is Turning Its eVTOL Competitors into Customers

Charles Alcock

UK group says it will complete Valo eVTOL’s critical design review this year 

Vertical Extends Cash Runway with Fresh eVTOL Funding 

Buyers urged to seek guidance, consider financing before finding an aircraft

IADA Panel: Financing Has Evolved Beyond a Buying Tool

Howard Hardee

News and issues relating to civil and military unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) of all kinds and sizes, including those used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), combat (unmanned combat air vehicles, or UCAVs), law enforcement, research and other applications. Of particular focus is the FAA's planned integration of UAS into the U.S. national airspace system.

In this article

Argus International

More In Finance, Taxes, Insurance