Argus: Bizav Flight Activity Marks Another Best in November

Global business aircraft flight activity took an 8.2% leap year over year (YOY) in November as the North American region logged its largest single-month increase in more than a decade (outside of Covid) at 8%, Argus International reported on Thursday. Citing its latest TraqPak report, the aviation data and safety specialist also noted that Europe has now remained in the positive territory in flight activity growth for the seventh month in a row, with a 0.3% gain YOY in November.

This momentum is expected to continue into this month, Argus projected, believing flight activity will be up by 2.5% in North American YOY and by 0.2% in Europe. The 8% increase in North America bested the previous single-month jump in September when operations were up by 7.2%. These were the strongest months, not including Covid peaks, at least since January 2015.

All operational categories in the region were stronger, with fractional activity roaring ahead at a 12.8% gain in November. Part 135 activity was up by 9.9%, and Part 91 activity posted a 4.4% increase. Similarly, all aircraft categories were more active, with midsize and small-cabin jets up by 10.4% each and large-cabin jets increasing by 6.3%. Turboprop activity also experienced a 3.8% YOY bump in November.

In fact, crossing all aircraft against operational categories yielded only increases in results, the largest of which was a 16% jump involving midsize aircraft flown in charter operations. This was closely followed by small-cabin fractional operations, up 15.9%.

“Two months after setting a record for the largest, non-Covid, monthly gain, we went out and set a new record in November,” said Travis Kuhn, senior v-p of software for Argus International. “If there is a bigger story, it is the continued improvement in the Part 91 market and the positive numbers in the large-cabin Part 135 market. Those have been shaky over the last two years, so it’s good to finally see the numbers in positive territory.”

While up 0.3% overall in November YOY in North America, European business aircraft flights posted more uneven results with turboprop activity down by 4.8% and small-cabin jets by 1.9%. On the positive side, however, were midsize aircraft (3.8%) and large-cabins (4%).

In other regions of the world, demand continues to increase markedly with a 13.9% YOY gain in November and small-cabin jet activity leading the way at 21.9%, followed by midsize at 14.9%, turboprops at 13.6%, and large cabins at 9%.