UBS Still Predicts Increased Bizjet Flight Activity

Flight activity in November was roughly unchanged from the same time in 2008, stemming the year-over-year declines recorded in each of the previous 24 months, according to UBS Investment Research's latest business jet update. On a seasonally adjusted basis, activity in November was about 1 percent greater than in October and was 18 percent above the March low, though still 23 percent below the 2007 peak. Light jet flight activity-which had declined the most--has improved the most so far, up 21 percent from the March bottom, and activity is up about 15 percent for both midsize and large-cabin jets, UBS said. The firm continues to forecast double-digit year-over-year growth in the first half of 2010, moderating in the second half to yield 8- to 10-percent growth for the full year.