Safety
Prices and usage are down as charter market feels the pinch
Like the rest of the aviation industry, the charter segment has suffered serious setbacks during the past year and is hunkering down and adapting to a new

Like the rest of the aviation industry, the charter segment has suffered serious setbacks during the past year and is hunkering down and adapting to a new marketplace characterized by smaller companies, lower prices and less flying.

Surprisingly, the number of U.S. charter operators holding Part 135 certificates has barely dropped, and the fleet size remains steady, too. As of this September, 2,233 active Part 135 certificates were on file with the FAA (17 were dual Part 121/135 certificates) versus 2,240 certificates a year ago. (Operators aren’t required to surrender certificates immediately if they cease operations, but there is no indication these totals include large numbers of defunct businesses.) The registered fleet size has also changed little over the past year, comprising 8,224 aircraft at the beginning of this September compared with 8,202 at that time last year.