Global Business Aviation Activity Slows Down in July 2023

The global business aviation sector experienced a slowdown in July, as flight activity declined by 3.1 percent compared to the same month in 2022, according to the latest report from Argus International, a data analyst and safety specialist. The report, based on the Argus TraqPak service, which tracks all IFR flights in the US, Canada, and the Caribbean, as well as some European countries, showed that both Europe and North America contributed to the decrease in activity.

In Europe, business aviation operations dropped by 8.1 percent year-over-year in July, following a record-breaking month in June. The decline affected all aircraft types, with small-cabin jets suffering the most with a 12.3 percent decrease. The European market remains below its pre-pandemic levels and faces uncertainty due to the resurgence of Covid-19 cases and travel restrictions in some countries.

In North America, business aviation activity fell by 3.6 percent year-over-year in July, exceeding Argus’ original forecast of a 2.7 percent decline. The only segment that saw an increase was fractional operations, which grew by 4.9 percent, driven by a 20.1 percent surge in large-cabin aircraft activity. Part 135 and Part 91 operations, on the other hand, decreased by 8.5 percent and 2.3 percent respectively, with turboprop and small-cabin jet activity showing double-digit drops. Large-cabin aircraft were the only type to see an increase in activity across all categories of operations, up by 2 percent.

Argus expects the downward trend to ease somewhat in August, with activity in North America forecast to be down by only 0.1 percent and activity in Europe projected to decrease by 5.3 percent year-over-year. However, the report cautions that the recovery of the global business aviation sector remains fragile and dependent on the evolution of the pandemic and the travel restrictions imposed by governments.

Report link: https://www.argus.aero/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023-Mid-Year-Report.pdf

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, msn.com, argus.aero