Business aircraft activity in North America last month reached the highest level since February 2012, according to the latest report by market analyst Argus. The Argus July TraqPak Business Aircraft Activity report, which tracks IFR activity in the U.S. and Canada, shows flight activity in the sector in July up 3.7 percent over June and 5.6 percent over July 2014.

Fractional operations led the month-over-month increase, with a 7.1-percent gain overall. Fractional turboprop activity alone was up 25.8 percent over June. Part 135 operations followed closely behind with a 6.1-percent improvement. Part 91 operations posted a 1.5-percent increase. In general, turboprop activity increased 5.2 percent, marking the fifth consecutive monthly improvement in that aircraft segment. Likewise small and midsize business jet activity improved 4.4 percent and 3.4 percent, respectively. Large business jets, however, marked the only decline month-over-month, down 0.4 percent.

When compared with July 2014, fractional, Part 135 and Part 91 operations were all improved. The fractional market showed its first year-over-year increase (2.8 percent) since November 2014. Part 135 activity showed the greatest increase over last year at 9.6 percent. As in the monthly comparison, turboprops marked the greatest improvement, up 7.6 percent. Large-cabin aircraft, which declined in the month-over-month comparison, were up year-over-year by 7 percent. Argus expects the improvements to spill into this month, estimating a 4-percent increase in year-over-year flight activity overall.

Argus assembles its data by logging serial-number-specific aircraft arrival and departure information on all IFR flights in the U.S. and Canada.