Amid fears of slipping to negative growth, business aviation activity saw a slight gain year-over-year in January.
ARGUS TRAQPak’s review of year-over-year flight activity indicates that January 2019 recorded an increase of 0.7%. The results by operational category were mixed with fractional operator activity, again, posting the largest yearly increase, up 4.9% year over year. NetJets and Flexjet make up about 80% of all fractional private jet flights. Part 91 activity posted an increase of 1.0%, while Part 135 activity declined for the eighth straight month, down 0.9%.
The aircraft categories were mixed with midsize jets posting the largest increase from 2018, up 5.0%. Large jets posted an increase of 0.6%, while light jets posted a 0.9% year over year decrease. Turboprop activity decreased by 1.8%.
January 2019 business aviation flight activity posted an anticipated month over month increase to finish up 1.4% from December 2018. Results by operational category were mostly up for the month, with the Part 91 segment posting the largest monthly increase, up 2.4%.
Part 135 flight activity posted an increase of 1.5% while Fractional flight activity declined 2.5% for the month. Aircraft categories were mostly positive as well, with large jets posting the largest increase, up 5.0%. Midsize jets followed with an increase of 1.3% while light jets decreased 0.8%. The turboprop segment posted a monthly increase of 1.4%.
Looking ahead TRAQPak analysts estimate there will be a 1.1% increase in overall flight activity year over year in February 2019.
