Bizav Flight Activity Increased in December

Business aircraft flight activity climbed 4.4 percent last month year-over-year, bolstered by a resurgence in corporate operations. That's according to aviation services company Argus, which tracks arrival and departure information on all IFR flights in the U.S. Flights conducted under FAR Part 91-the FAA category that covers non-commercial flights-increased 10 percent in December compared with the same month in 2009, which followed a year-over-year 12.2-percent increase in November. Fractional flying in December rose a more modest 2.6 percent, while Part 135 charter activity slipped 2.4 percent from the year-ago period. By aircraft category, midsize jet activity again led the pack with a 6.5-percent year-over-year increase, followed by large-cabin jets, up 4.4 percent; turboprops, up 3.8 percent; and light jets, up 3.5 percent. Among individual market segments, fractional turboprop flying soared 15.1 percent, thanks in large part to Piaggio Avanti fractional provider Avantair. Turboprop and light jet activity at Part 91 operators also climbed by double-digits-11.1 and 11 percent, respectively.