Bizav Flight Activity Strengthening, Data Shows

Business aircraft activity in the U.S. in November was up 22 percent year-over-year and 3 percent from October, according to serial-number-specific arrival-and-departure data gathered by Aviation Research Group/U.S. Compared with a year ago, activity increased 28 percent for large-cabin jets, 26 percent for midsize jets, 24 percent for turboprops and 14 percent for light jets. Also year-over-year, activity rose 34 percent for charter flights, 21 percent for fractional flights and 18 percent for Part 91 flights. Teal Group aerospace analyst Richard Aboulafia told BJT sister publication Aviation International News that these numbers represent "more evidence of market stabilization," though he cautioned that "stabilization is a long way from recovery, let alone a return to growth." Business aviation analyst Brian Foley, meanwhile, called the data "good news and indicative of an improving market."