Global business aviation flight activity in December surged 43.7 percent from the same month a year ago, with the North American market posting the strongest December on record and European activity up 63.7 percent year-over-year (YOY), according to just-released TraqPak data from Argus International. “December flight activity was pretty much right on forecast, as the Omicron Covid-19 variant did not cause any noticeable disruptions to business aircraft operations,” noted Argus v-p of market intelligence Travis Kuhn.

Business aircraft flying in North America climbed 36.7 percent YOY and 16.5 percent above 2019 levels. By operational category, Part 91 activity jumped 40 percent from a year ago, followed by fractional with a 38.6 percent increase and Part 135 with a 32.9 percent gain. Large-cabin activity was up 60.7 percent, while flights increased for midsize jets by 43.7 percent, for light jets by 34.5 percent, and for turboprops by 21.8 percent.

In Europe, large-cabin activity recorded another triple-digit gain, ascending 142.6 percent YOY. There were more than 66,000 business aviation flights recorded there last month. Asia-Pacific also posted solid gains last month, with more than 54,000 business aviation flights—up 70.3 percent YOY.

“We continue to see the results of strong demand and expect that to continue well into 2022,” said Kuhn, who predicts that flying this month will rise 36.6 percent YOY in North America and 90.8 percent in Europe.