Business aviation flying dips 1.2% in November despite 3.5% surge by fractionals

While new jet sales have remained tepid for years, flying activity had been on the rise until recently with its second year-over-year decline in three months

While fans of Ohio State may have been dismayed their beloved Buckeyes were not selected for the NCAA Football Championship Playoffs, the state’s two native son fractional ownership programs (Columbus-based NetJets and Cleveland-based Flexjet) provided November’s bright spot for private jet flying. 

TRAQPak’s review of the year over year flight activity (November 2018 versus November 2017) indicates that November 2018 recorded a forecasted decrease of 1.2%. It comes after a 0.9% gain in October and a 5.2% decline in September. The results by operational category were mixed with Fractional activity posting the only yearly increase, up 3.5% year over year. Part 91 activity posted a slight decrease of 0.4%, while Part 135 activity declined for the 6th straight month, down 3.7%. The aircraft categories were mostly negative with mid-size jets posting the only increase from 2017, up 2.3%. Light jets posted a decrease of 2.3%, while large jets posted a 1.0% year over year decrease. Turboprops decreased 3.4%. Within the Fractional category, the good numbers were powered by a 10.6% gain in Midsize jet which offset an 18.0% decline in Large-cabin jet flying.

November business aviation flight activity posted an anticipated month over month decrease to finish down 6.6% from October 2018. Results by operational category were all down for the month, with the Part 91 segment posting the largest monthly decrease, down 8.5%. Part 135 flight activity posted a decrease of 4.6% and Fractional flight activity declined 4.2% for the month. Aircraft categories were all positive as well, with turboprops posting the largest decrease, down 9.6%. Light jets followed with a decrease of 7.2% while mid-size and large jets decreased 5.2% & 1.3% respectively.

Looking ahead, TRAQPak analysts estimate there will be a 0.8% increase in overall flight activity year over year in December 2018.