Written by August private aviation activity in second-home and resort markets was more than 75% above 2019 levels with large increases across the board
In August, Bandon Dunes in Oregon saw an average of 42 private jet flights a day. That’s a 75% increase compared to 2019. To the south, Napa private flights spiked 77%. Neither were close to Aspen, where private flights were up 111% last month over pre-pandemic totals. On the East Coast, Westhampton Francis S. Gabreski Airport saw a whopping 125% more flights last month than two years ago.
The latest data from the charter payment provider Tuvoli shows a continued surge in private jet usage to second-home and resort markets.
Private Jet Flight Activity For Resort and Second-Home Airports
| Airport (Code) | August vs. 2019 (Flights) | YTD vs. 2019 (Flights) |
| Aspen (KASE) | + 111% | + 33% |
| Bandon Dunes (KOTH) | + 75% | + 22% |
| Ft. Lauderdale Exec. (KFXE) | 0% | + 20% |
| Jackson Hole (KJAC) | +61% | + 47% |
| Martha’s Vineyard (KMVY) | – 8% | + 16% |
| Miami – Opa Locka (KOPF) | + 26% | + 52% |
| Nantucket (KACK) | + 5% | + 8% |
| Napa (KAPC) | + 77% | + 16% |
| Naples (KAPF) | + 33% | + 39% |
| Scottsdale (KSDL) | + 28% | + 22% |
| Vail – Eagle (KEGE) | + 45% | + 33% |
| Westhampton (KFOK) | + 125% | + 74% |
| West Palm Beach (KPBI) | + 7% | + 41% |
Vail Eagle, where private jet flights are up 33% year-to-date compared to 2019, saw a 45% August jump.
While Scottsdale, one of the nation’s busiest private jet airports, is not considered a summer destination, August flights were up 28%, ahead of its full-year increase compared to 2019 of 22%.
Jackson Hole saw a 61% increase in private flights in August, Naples, Florida was up 33%, and Miami Opa-Locka Airport saw a 26% gain, although that was below its 52% surge year-to-day.
Several airports saw private flights cool off a bit. Palm Beach flights were up 7% compared to a 41% year-to-date trend. Nantucket saw a 5% increase, while Martha’s Vineyard saw an 8.2% decline.
The surge has also meant hiccups for private jet flyers.