Business aviation activity in North America climbed 4.2 percent last month from a year ago, according to TraqPak data released today by business aviation services group Argus International. This handily beat the firm’s forecast for a 1.9-percent year-over-year increase. This month, Argus is projecting a more modest 0.6-percent rise in flight activity over last July, and its forecast data indicates that activity in the third quarter will be 3.9 percent higher year-over-year.
All operational categories saw gains last month, with the Part 135 charter segment once again leading in activity, gaining 2.7 percent from a year ago. Part 91 flying rose 1.5 percent last month, while fractional activity inched up 1.1 percent from last June.
Flight activity by aircraft categories was mostly positive last month, with only large-cabin jets posting a decrease, slumping 0.6 percent year-over-year. Turboprop flying once again recorded strong gains, surging 4.3 percent from a year ago. Light and midsize jets followed, with a 1.7-percent and 0.3 percent rise, respectively.
Looking at individual segments, Part 135 turboprop flying saw the largest gain, rising 5.8 percent, compared with last June. Conversely, Part 135 large-cabin jets posted the largest decline, lagging 1.6 percent from a year ago.
Argus TraqPak data provides “serial-number-specific aircraft arrival and departure information on all IFR flights in the U.S.”