According to the latest numbers, the U.S. business aviation sector is riding a bit of a comeback wave of sorts with some estimates predicting 100% gains for June and July month over month. While we’re still a long way off from the kinds of stats we saw during pre-pandemic times, there is room for hope.
Forecasters are predicting business aircraft activity should recover in six to 12 months, with commercial airlines taking just a little bit longer at about a year to 18 months. Not surprisingly, with COVID-19 challenging the entire travel industry, recovery for international flying is expected to be slower for all segments.
What’s interesting to see is how COVID-19 is impacting the way people fly. While commercial airlines are being hit hard globally, it’s estimated that 30% of all business aviation activity is being delivered through turboprops such as the Pilatus PC-12, Cessna 208 Caravan, and the Beechcraft King Air 200.
As for a firm prediction on where things are going from here, it might be too early to tell. The top forecasters are looking to the fall. More specifically: October and November. October is widely regarded as a bell weather month and, as we all know, there’s a big election going down in November. Both of these things are poised to have a big impact on how the industry moves forward and of course, how the economy recovers.
In the meantime, we’ll take good news where we can get it.
