TRAQPak’s review of year over year flight activity (December 2019 vs. December 2018) indicates that December 2019 recorded an increase of 6.9%. It reverses 2018’s negative trend.
The results by operational category were all positive for the period, with Fractional activity posting the largest increase, up 11.5% from 2018.
Part 135 flight activity (which includes Jet Card flights) saw a 7.1% increase from December 2018, and Part 91 activity reported a rise of 5.5%.
Aircraft categories were also positive for the month. Midsize cabin private jets posted the largest yearly increase, up 8.9%.
Light jets recorded a rise of 7.6%, and large jets gained 7.2% for the year. Turboprop activity recorded a 4.3% yearly increase.
Key to the gains was a 22.9% jump in weekend flights, compared to just 4.6% during the week.
Part 91 | Part 135 | Fractional | ALL | |
Turbo Prop | 4.7% | 4.5% | -5.6% | 4.3% |
Light Jet | 9.2% | 3.5% | 12.0% | 7.6% |
Mid–Size Jet | 2.7% | 10.3% | 16.8% | 8.9% |
Large Jet | 5.6% | 12.5% | -5.3% | 7.2% |
All Aircraft | 5.5% | 7.1% | 11.5% | 6.9% |
December business aviation flight activity posted an unexpected month over month increase to finish up 1.3% from November 2019.
Activity has historically declined by 7%, on average from November to December, the researcher said.
Results by operational category were mostly positive, for the month, with Part 135 flight activity posting the largest monthly increase, up 4.8%.
Fractional activity followed with an increase of 4.3%, while Part 91 activity slid 2.0%.
The aircraft categories were mostly positive for the month, with Large Jets posting the largest increase, up 5.4% from November. Midsize Jets followed with an increase of 3.6%, and Light Jets gained 1.2%. Turboprops recorded a monthly decline of 2.6%.
Part 91 | Part 135 | Fractional | ALL | |
Turbo Prop | -4.3% | 0.2% | -10.9% | -2.6% |
Light Jet | -0.7% | 1.6% | 8.1% | 1.2% |
Mid–Size Jet | -1.9% | 10.1% | 3.5% | 3.6% |
Large Jet | 0.6% | 10.5% | 13.1% | 5.4% |
All Aircraft | -2.0% | 4.8% | 4.3% | 1.3% |
Looking ahead TRAQPak analysts estimate there will be a 5.8% increase in overall flight activity year over year in January 2020.