Happy Y2K12: Business Aviation Faces Dreary 2012

There hasn’t been a good year for business aviation since 2008, and despite hopes of an industry recovery, it appears 2012 won’t be the next one.

Not that there haven't been some bright spots since early 2011: slowly climbing charter and fractional flight hours, an increase in trade-show activity (notably at EBACE, LABACE and NBAA), the introduction of new aircraft by Cessna and Dassault. In the “Who knows?” category are the possible extension of the bonus depreciation (not yet enacted as we go to press), and the implementation of user fees, which remain in limbo as Congress grapples with a new budget and FAA reauthorization.