North American Bizav Flying Bounces Back in May
Flying last month surged 2.2 percent from a year ago—a full percentage point above the firm’s forecast.
While overall business aviation flying climbed 2.2 percent last month, turboprop activity quite literally took off, rising 4 percent from a year-ago. This gain in turboprop flying was largely due to increased activity in this segment by Part 135 and fractional operators, which logged individual segment gains of 9.5 percent and 8.9 percent, respectively. (Photo: Textron Aviation)

Business aviation activity in North America rebounded last month after an unexpected 0.6-percent drop in April, according to TraqPak data released yesterday by business aviation services group Argus International. Flying last month surged 2.2 percent from a year ago—a full percentage point above the firm’s forecast. This month, Argus is calling for a 1.9-percent year-over-year increase.


All operational categories saw gains last month, with the Part 135 segment activity leading the pack, climbing 2.6 percent over last May. Part 91 flying jumped by 2.1 percent, while fractional activity rose by 0.9 percent from a year ago.


Flight activity by aircraft categories was largely positive last month, with only midsize jets recording a decrease, falling 0.8 percent year-over-year. Turboprop flying climbed 4 percent from a year ago, followed by large-cabin jets with a 3.6-percent gain. Light jets logged a 2.3-percent increase.


The largest year-over-year gain, and the only double-digit one, for an individual segment was in fractional large-cabin jets, which skyrocketed 15.9 percent last month, compared with last May. Part 135 midsize jets posted the largest decline, lagging 4.2 percent from a year ago.