Wheels Up remained the dominant U.S. Part 135 operator in the first half, according to Argus International’s 2023 Mid-Year Business Aviation report, but it joined the majority of the top operators in seeing its activity slide from the previous year. Overall Part 135 flight activity in the U.S. dropped 10 percent year-over-year during the first six months—the largest decline of any business aviation operating sector. In all, 18 of the top 25 carriers saw declines in flight hours.
Wheels Up remained atop of the pack with 70,258 hours logged through the end of June, besting the next closest operator, Executive Jet Management (EJM), by more than 30,000 hours. (EJM posted 39,117 hours in the period). But along with having the most hours, Wheels Up also experienced among the largest declines in the first half, falling 12,225 hours from a year ago.
The largest slide actually came from XOJet, which fell to the ninth spot after its hours plummeted from 23,625 in the first half of 2022 to 9,103 this year. However, at the same time, affiliate operator Jet Edge—which was acquired by XOJet parent VistaJet in June of 2022—saw a leap in hours from 14,069 in the first half of 2022 to 29,011 this year, reflecting a shift between the siblings. Jet Edge ended up in the number three spot of most active carriers.
Following Jet Edge as a top gainer was Exclusive Jets, which moved into the number-four spot with 27,740 hours—up from 23,375 in first-half 2022. Rounding out the top five was Solairus Aviation with 26,265 hours.
Others following in the top 10, in order, were Jet Linx Corporate Flight Management, Jet Aviation, XOJet, and Clay Lacy Aviation.