North American Bizav Flying Logs Modest Gains in May

Business aviation flight activity in North America eked out another gain last month, rising 1.1 percent year-over-year, according to data released yesterday by aviation services group Argus International. The company had estimated 0.8-percent growth; for this month, it is projecting a 1.9-percent climb.

The Part 135 charter segment once again led the pack, with flying in May up 3.2 percent from a year ago. Part 91 activity edged up slightly at 1 percent, while fractional activity again fell into the red, declining by 3.5 percent. By aircraft category, large-cabin jet flying surged by 4.7 percent year-over-year, while light jets saw an anemic 1-percent uptick and midsize jet activity experienced a 1.1-percent drop. Turboprop flying rose by 1.7 percent last month.

The fractional segment saw both the largest gain and loss in individual results, with light jet activity climbing 9.4 percent and fractional midsize and large-cabin jet flying descending by 7.8 percent and 7.5 percent, respectively. Argus's TraqPak data logs serial-number-specific aircraft arrival and departure information on all IFR flights in the U.S. and Canada.