Analysis of industry data by Airbus Corporate Jets (ACJ) has revealed that there were 4.06 million business aircraft departures in the U.S. in 2022, an increase of around 367,400—or almost 10 percent—when compared with 2019. In fact, each month in 2022 saw a rise in the number of business aircraft departures in the U.S. over the corresponding month in 2019. In terms of utilization of business aircraft in the U.S., the average number of hours flown increased by 3.5 percent when compared with 2019.
Focusing only on heavy jets, ultra-long-range (ULR) and "bizliner" aircraft, the number of departures in 2022 was more than 562,000, an increase of 19.4 percent versus 2019. In addition, 99.9 percent of these flights are operated on routes of less than 5,500 nautical miles. Looking at some of the busiest airports for large and long-range (LR) business aircraft departures in the U.S., Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach saw an increase of 69.5 percent in 2022 when compared with 2019. At the same time, Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport in Miami saw an increase of 64.2 percent, while Scottsdale in Phoenix saw an increase of 55.6 percent.
Research with senior business leaders in the U.S. commissioned in 2022 by ACJ suggests the majority plan to increase their use of business aircraft in 2023. Nine out of 10 (89 percent) said they expect the organizations they work for to increase their use of business aviation this year, with one in four predicting it will rise by over 50 percent.
“The U.S. business aviation market enjoyed strong growth last year, and a key factor behind this was more people using private jets during COVID-19 and a reluctance among many to give up the considerable benefits they offer,” said Sean McGeough, VP commercial ACJ for North America. “The pandemic resulted in a significant increase in people using business aviation for the first time. This will have a long-term positive impact on the growth of the market.”
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