Private Jet Flying Climbs To Highest Level Since 2008

Business aircraft activity last month climbed to its highest level since 2008, rising 1.8 percent from a year ago, according to TraqPak data released yesterday by aviation services company ARGUS. Argus TraqPak data provides “serial-number-specific aircraft arrival and departure information on all IFR flights in the U.S. and Canada.”

This marks the fourth year-over-year increase this year. As has been the trend in 2013, the Part 135 category again was the only operating segment to experience a gain in flying activity, climbing 9.9 percent last month year-over-year.

By aircraft category, private jet flying was up across the board last month, while turboprop activity eroded by 5.1 percent from a year ago. Large-cabin jet activity was up 8.6-percent year-over-year, while light and midsize jet flying increased 3.7 percent and 6 percent, respectively. Broken down by individual markets, there were several double-digit gains: Part 135 light and midsize jets, 15.2 and 15.6 percent, respectively; fractional large-cabin, 12.7 percent; and Part 91 large-cabin, 10.1 percent.