📈 Flexjet U.S. Q1 Departures Up 5.3%, but April Stall Warrants Attention
Flexjet posted solid U.S. performance through Q1 2026, though momentum has visibly faded entering April. Avi-Go data shows 35,159 U.S. departures from January 1 through April 14, 2026, up 5.3% from 33,404 in the same period of 2025. Monthly trends diverged sharply: January rose 7.9% (+729 ops) and March 7.0% (+717 ops), forming a double peak, while February slowed to 3.7% and the first 14 days of April slipped 0.6% (-30 ops) — effectively flat. Both years show the same seasonal pattern of a strong January, February dip, and March recovery, making April's abrupt reversal more notable.
Implications: Compared to NetJets' roughly 1.2% growth over the same period, Flexjet's 5.3% expansion suggests continued fractional market share gains. However, Jet-A prices are up approximately 19.2% year-to-date in 2026, and cost pressure may be starting to weigh on demand. If April's decline is confirmed at month-end, FBOs reliant on Flexjet card revenue may need to revise Q2 traffic expectations downward.
Recommendations: FBO operators should compare Flexjet and competitor monthly traffic by end of April 2026 to determine whether any slowdown is industry-wide. If a sustained decline is confirmed, consider locking in fuel hedging contracts early in Q2 to control per-turn costs.