A multi-engine, instrument rated pilot, James Wynbrandt has been an AIN and Business Jet Traveler contributor since 2003. His in-depth reporting and insightful features have won more than a dozen editorial honors, including two National Business Aviation Association Gold Wing Awards (2019; 2021), and his articles have also appeared in the New York Times, Barron’s, Fortune, Forbes, and Smithsonian Air &amp; Space. He has flown his Mooney M20K 252 on assignments throughout North and Central America and the Caribbean. Wynbrandt is also the author of Flying High (Wiley &amp; Sons), a biography of Jet Blue founder David Neeleman, as well as histories, references works, and books on a variety of other topics from major publishers. He lives in New York City.

Contributor - Business Aviation

James Wynbrandt

Strong growth in charter flight activity outpaced gains in Part 91 and nominally advancing fractional operations in the U.S. over the past year. Global charter ops also increased as a surge of consolidation among major providers redefined the marketspace. Technology was the driving and enabling force behind much of the industry news, and a primary focus among providers seeking to maximize efficiencies and opportunities—that is, virtually all of them.

 


Part 135 flight activity grew 4.5 percent during the first half of 2018 compared with 2017, to just over 550,000 flights, levels not seen for a decade, while Part 91 activity rose 1.3 percent and the fractional fleet gained 0.4 percent, according to Argus International.

 


“I think we are back where we were pre-recession,” said Joe Moeggenberg, Argus president and CEO. “The good news is business is very good. The bad news is the industry is experiencing some issues with lift and having a hard time finding newer aircraft with all the amenities to meet the demand. That’s exactly where we were in the 2008–09 time frame.”

 


Major operators far outpaced the industry’s 4.5 percent growth rate, with total hours for the top 25 rising from about 467,000 in 2017 to 535,000 in 2018, or 14.6 percent.

 


“The top operators aren’t adding a lot of new airplanes, but they’re running a lot more efficiently,” said Moeggenberg. “Everybody has figured out how to fill up a lot of these empty legs. Operators have done a really good job of optimizing their fleets.”

 


Indeed, the combined charter fleets of the top 25 operators grew only 2 percent— from 1,023 to 1,044 aircraft from mid 2017 to mid 2018.

 


Though Part 135 activity continues to see positive growth, the rate has slowed recently, posting in June the first year-over-year (YOY) decline in activity in 25 months.

 


Gama Aviation, which operates Wheels Up’s Citation Excel/XLS and King Air 350i aircraft, in addition to its managed fleet, retained the top spot in charter flight time with 72,885 flight hours. The 18 percent rise over the prior year was in line with the 18 percent growth in its charter fleet from 99 to 117 aircraft.&nbsp;

News and issues concerning the aviation charter and fractional-ownership industries and markets, including company announcements, regulations, new developments and labor issues.

Charter Market Report 2018

Consolidations cap a year of growth.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charles Alcock

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

The Hong Kong-based operator now has almost 50 business aircraft

China’s Sino Jet Expands Charter Fleet with Second G700

Jessica Reed

Program launches with HondaJet HA-420 and Bombardier Challenger 3500

Honda Aircraft Unit Backs Thrive Fractional Jet Program

Amy Wilder

Elite Jets, MaxAir keep names, add Priester co-brand

Priester Aviation Unifies Companies under One Brand

Program lets non-members compare pricing before booking

BlueSky Extends Pricing Access to Non-members

Hourly rates range from turboprops to VIP airliners

Paramount Business Jets Guide Details 2026 Charter Rates

Kerry Lynch

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

More In Charter & Fractional

China’s Sino Jet Expands Charter Fleet with Second G700

The Hong Kong-based operator now has almost 50 business aircraft

Honda Aircraft Unit Backs Thrive Fractional Jet Program

Program launches with HondaJet HA-420 and Bombardier Challenger 3500

Priester Aviation Unifies Companies under One Brand

Elite Jets, MaxAir keep names, add Priester co-brand

BlueSky Extends Pricing Access to Non-members

Program lets non-members compare pricing before booking

Paramount Business Jets Guide Details 2026 Charter Rates

Hourly rates range from turboprops to VIP airliners

ACA Forum Probes Broker Role in Fighting Illegal Charter

Brokers need to verify operations based on a standard

ACA Forum Explores Changing Role of Air Charter Brokers with AI

ACA is hosting its second U.S. forum as membership grows

FAI Grows Charter Fleet with Second Global 6000 Bizjet

Ultra-long-range jet is now available for worldwide charter

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN