Argus: Fractional Flying Bounces Back in April

MAY 13, 2014

$While business aircraft flying continued its upward trajectory in April, the big news was that year-over-year activity at the fractionals rose for the first time since September 2011. In fact, fractional light jet flying, which includes Learjet 45s at Flexjet, soared by 38.2 percent from April 2013. (Photo: Flexjet)$

While business aircraft flying continued its upward trajectory in April, the big news was that year-over-year activity at the fractionals rose for the first time since September 2011. In fact, fractional light jet flying, which includes Learjet 45s at Flexjet, soared by 38.2 percent from April 2013. (Photo: Flexjet)

May 13, 2014, 4:16 PM

Though TraqPak data released today by aviation services company Argus indicates that business aircraft flying continued its upward trend last month, climbing 1.4 percent year-over-year, this wasn’t the big news. “The bigger story was the turnaround in the fractional market, which posted the first year-over-year increase since September 2011,” Argus said.

In fact, the fractional segment posted a 1.5-percent gain from April last year, thanks to “significant increases” in light and large-cabin jets, which offset a 53.1-percent decline in fractional turboprop activity attributable to the Avantair shutdown. But again, the Part 135 segment shined brightest last month, logging a 3.7-percent rise in flying versus a year ago. Activity at Part 91 operators was unchanged, as increases in jet flying exactly counteracted a 3.4-percent decline by Part 91 turboprops.