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It only took two months into 2024 for business aviation to post a year-to-year increase in flight activity, but the final numbers for February still get an asterisk - as the increase was due to the extra day added to the month for leap year.Compared to 2023, global flight activity for business aircraft last month grew by 2%, according to the latest TRAQPak report from ARGUS Analytics. Moderately better weather in some places, along with events such as the Super Bowl, helped the month finish 3.3% ahead of January, despite having two fewer days.North American traffic helped drive the gain, finishing up 2.5% year to year, while European business aircraft flights dipped 5.7% from February 2023.
Travis Kuhn, senior vice president of software for ARGUS, said that when adjusted for leap day, North American flight activity last month was down 1.7%.
"Overall activity in February was mostly status quo across North America," he said. "Looking into March, it is usually one of the strongest months on the calendar with improving weather and spring break travel. For the month we'll be expecting a slight yearly decline but still estimate to record around 290,000 flights during the month."PREVIOUS STORY: Business aircraft flights deflate as 2024 kicks off, can the Super Bowl help them rally?
Year to year in North America fractional activity was up 19.1% over February 2023; Part 91 flights were up 2.2%; and Part 135 flights dipped by 4% year to year. Gainers included mid-size aircraft flights jumping by 4.9%, while small-cabin jets increased by 2.4%, large-cabin by 1%, and turboprops by 0.7%.
On the fractional side, large-cabin flights jumped by 28% year to year in February.
The average number of daily business aircraft flights in North America rose by a remarkable 11% in February when compared to January, 9,344 compared to 8,417. However, the average was off by 99 flights a day compared to last February.
All eight FAA regions saw an increase in flight activity. The Central US region jumped by 11.7%.
For March, TRAQPak analysts estimate there will be a 2.7% decrease in overall North American flights year over year, with European flights sliding 6.9%.