Business aviation flight activity last month in North America climbed by 3 percent versus a year ago, according to data released today by aviation services group Argus International. This more than quadrupled the company’s forecast for 0.7-percent growth, prompting its data researchers to dub it the "September surge." Argus is predicting a 2.7-percent increase in flying this month and a 3.5-percent year-over-year increase for the fourth quarter.

The Part 135 charter segment once again led this charge, climbing 7 percent from a year ago; Part 91 activity also helped to bolster the numbers, with a 1.4-percent rise in flights. Fractional activity logged its second consecutive month in the red, falling 0.4 percent.

All aircraft categories saw increases last month, with turboprops, which were up 5.6 percent from a year ago, taking the lead. Large-cabin and light jets saw advances of 3.4 percent and 2.8 percent, respectively, while midsize jet activity eked out a 0.1-percent increase.

There were once again double-digit improvements in the individual results, with charter and fractional turboprop flying up 11.9 percent and 12.9 percent year-over-year, respectively. Fractional midsize jets experienced the largest loss, dropping by 6.6 percent.

Argus’s TraqPak data logs serial-number-specific aircraft arrival and departure information on all IFR flights in the U.S. and Canada.