Global business aircraft activity jumped 47.1 percent in July, propelled by a 44.7 percent and 44.3 percent year-over-year improvement in North America and Europe, respectively, according to the latest TraqPak report from industry data and safety specialist Argus International.

Now combining its monthly reviews into a single monthly Global Aircraft Activity Report, Argus said the returns for July were “en route to breaking another record,” while August activity was poised for more growth.

North American business aircraft operations set a record in the TraqPak database at 305,136. This was 43,100 more than in July 2019 and 94,329 more than in July 2020. Fractional activity showed the greatest year-over-year jump, up 50.2 percent, with large jets in 91K operations surging 79.4 percent. Large-jet operations increased across the board by 66.3 percent, also including a 79.7 percent jump in Part 135 flights and 54.1 percent in Part 91.

Overall, charter flights climbed 47.5 percent, including all aircraft types, and Part 91 by 40.8 percent. Following the surge in large-jet operations in July were midsize jets, up 55.7 percent, light jets at 41.7 percent, and turboprops at 30.3 percent. Argus forecasts a 45.3 percent gain in North American flight activity in August.

In Europe, large jets also drove the increases with operations up 87.7 percent year-over-year in July. Turboprop activity improved by 33.2 percent, followed by midsize jets at 32.1 percent and light jets at 32 percent. In addition, flight activity was up by 12.7 percent in Europe from July 2019.

In other global regions (combining Africa, Asia, Australia, South America), turboprop activity surged by 102.8 percent, followed by light jets at 92.2 percent, midsize jets at 70.6 percent, and large jets at 56.6 percent.

Argus noted these regions accounted for 9 percent of global movements, while North America represented 70 percent of the activity and Europe 21 percent.