A Global Business Indicator: Business Aviation Picks Up In 2014

CHICAGO, February 2015 – Jet Support Services, Inc. (JSSI), the world’s leading provider of maintenance support and financial services to the business aviation industry, has released its 2014 Business Aviation Index, which tracks flight hours for business aircraft by region, industry and cabin type. According to JSSI’s 2014 Business Aviation Index, flight hours increased by 1.2% globally.  With declining fuel prices taking hold, flight hours increased by 2.5% in Q4, compared with flight hours for Q4 2013. 

“While the pace of the US economic recovery gained steam, an economic slowdown throughout the world certainly had an impact on flight hours,” said Neil W. Book, President and Chief Executive Officer of JSSI. “There were still some bright spots worth noting, where we saw solid growth in the real estate industry and business jet charter.    Solid charter numbers are promising, because they represent business jet usage across a wide range of industries.  Regionally, the North American market remained consistent with the prior year, but Europe and the Middle East saw nearly 10% growth between 2013 and 2014.”

JSSI Index: By Industry

While overall flight hours grew at a slower pace than the last few years, by industry, Real Estate led the way with double digit growth in the last quarter (10.8%) while the Aviation Industry had the strongest gains for the year (4.4%.) Conversely, Manufacturing (-13.7%) and Construction (-6.9%) contracted significantly in 2014.

 JSSI Index: By Region

When looking at the data by region, Business Aviation experienced growth from Q3 to Q4 in only two markets – Central America and South America.

Book continued, “Due to the cyclical nature of business travel, the fourth quarter is often less active than the third quarter.  Therefore, it is very encouraging to see quarter over quarter growth in Central and South America.” 

JSSI Index: By Aircraft Type

Observing Business Aviation activity by aircraft type provides insight as to exactly how the business community is flying. For the first time, the JSSI Business Aviation Index is releasing annual data on helicopter usage:

“It is a good sign to see the strong growth in the large cabin sector.  This is an excellent indicator that the large corporate flight departments are using their aircraft for business all over the world.  With the decline in the cost of fuel, coupled with less negative rhetoric toward the business aviation community coming out of Washington, we are very optimistic for a strong 2015,” continued Mr. Book.

About Jet Support Services, Inc. 

For more than 25 years, JSSI has been the only hourly cost maintenance provider covering virtually all makes and models of business aircraft, engines and APUs. JSSI provides its customers with comprehensive, flexible and affordable financial tools for managing the often unpredictable costs of operating and maintaining nearly all types of turbine-powered aircraft, including jets, turbo-props and turbine-powered helicopters. As the creator of the revolutionary Tip-to-Tail^® Program, JSSI is the only single source provider of this trademarked service. JSSI serves customers globally and manages maintenance services through its worldwide infrastructure of certified technical advisors. For more information, go to www.jetsupport.com.