US flight activity keeps on rising
The first half of 2017 has been “nothing but positive” for US flight activity, according to the latest data from Argus. Gulfstream-G650 Last year was a great year for the US business aviation, says the aviation service and technology firm, with total flights rising by 90,000+ across the country. And 2017 is shaping up to be even better. Flight activity is up 3.9% year-on-year (YoY) from 2016 and flight hours rose 6.0% from last year, according to Argus’ 2017 midyear business aviation report. Specifically, activity for part 135 (charter) operations has been very positive, rising an impressive 10.1% YoY for the first half of 2017. This is a substantial gain from the already positive 5.8% growth for the full year of 2016. Charter activity has risen every month so far this year compared to 2016. April saw the biggest YoY increase, rising 14.9%. Three of the first six months saw double-digit increases in activity. Part 91 (private) operations saw a slight drop in activity, declining 0.5% YoY. This slight decline is the result of three months of increased activity and three months of less. May was the month with the biggest increase in activity, seeing a 2.1% rise in private flights. Argus expects the second half of the year to be more positive for Part 91 activity. The rise in overall flight activity for the whole of 2016 looks to be replicated in the second half, it says in its report. Fractional flight activity (where multiple owners share the costs of purchase, leasing and operating) increased every month YoY as with part 135. April had the biggest rise, with an 8.5% increase. More hours Large-cabin jets saw the biggest increase in flight hours from