✈️ Nantucket Summer Business Aviation Traffic Surges 56%, PC-12 Movements Double to Lead the Market
Avi-Go data shows that from May 11 to June 10, 2026, business aviation movements at Nantucket's KACK airport reached 2,554 operations. Among the top 4 aircraft types, combined movements jumped from 727 in the same period of 2025 to 1,138, representing an overall increase of approximately 56.5%. The Pilatus PC-12 led all types with 665 movements, surging 108.5% year-over-year, followed by the Phenom 300 with 228 movements (up 52.0% year-over-year). The PC-12's overwhelming dominance is no coincidence — KACK's runway length of only 6,303 feet presents a natural barrier for large long-range jets such as the Gulfstream and Global Express, giving turboprop types a structural advantage in this market through their short-field performance capabilities. Notably, the Cirrus SR22 declined 21.9% year-over-year, as piston general aviation traffic is gradually being displaced by turboprops and light jets, reflecting a continued upward shift in the spending profile of Nantucket's leisure traveler base.
Impact: FBO operators face dual pressure on ramp space and fuel supply. The concentrated influx of PC-12s and Phenom 300s will significantly compress ground handling windows during the July–August peak period. The growing share of turboprop types also means that jet-A demand patterns differ from those at large-jet-dominated airports, requiring advance adjustment of inventory allocation.
Recommendation: FBO operators should complete a pre-allocated ramp assignment plan for July–August before the end of June 2026, prioritizing dedicated areas for turboprop types such as the PC-12 to avoid scheduling bottlenecks caused by mixed parking with jets. Operators and brokers should proactively recommend the PC-12 or Phenom 300 to clients who regularly fly to Nantucket before early July 2026, in order to match runway constraints and improve trip completion rates.