Flight activity continues to be “very strong” in the Part 135 segment, ascending 10.1 percent during the first six months compared with the same period a year ago. Argus also noted “solid gains” in the Part 91K/fractional segment, with flight activity up 5.7 percent as the industry “has finally managed to put the consolidation behind it.” Meanwhile, Part 91 has been flat this year, declining 0.5 percent year-over-year in the first six months, though it said the second half “looks more promising” for this segment.

 

All aircraft categories saw flight-hour gains during the first six months, increasing by an overall average of 6 percent from a year ago, according to Argus. Large-cabin jet flying climbed 10.5 percent, to 475,580 flight hours, followed by a 7.3 percent rise in midsize jets. On the lighter end of the spectrum, turboprop and light jet flying surged 3.2 percent (564,431 hours) and 3.5 percent, (478,433 hours), respectively.

 

Argus estimates that flight activity in August, September and October will rise 2.9 percent compared with a year ago.