U.S. Bizjet Ops Mark 12 Consecutive Months of Gains

Business jet operations are continuing to gain steam in both the U.S., where cycles have now increased on a year-over-year basis for 12 consecutive months, and Europe, where cycles are up for eight consecutive months, according to UBS Global Research. The market analyst estimated that business jet cycles, including takeoffs and landings, were up 2 percent in July. This gain was driven by charter activity, with cycles coming in 8 percent higher year-over-year in July. Non-charter cycles were relatively flat.

Seasonally adjusted, UBS said, cycles are 42 percent above the low point in 2009. But, the analyst noted, when taking into account the fleet growth since 2009, per-aircraft utilization rates “are still at trough levels.”

Long-range aircraft led the improvements in year-over-year cycles, up 6 percent, with mid-range aircraft up 5 percent. Short-range aircraft cycles were up as well, by 1 percent, but still at slower rates than the longer-range aircraft.

In Europe, activity in July was up 2 percent from a year earlier. The eight months of consecutive increases mark the longest streak since the economic downturn.