May 2026 Performance Overview

Total Flights (May 2026) 374,254 +26.68% YoY Full Year 2025 Volume 3,462,830 Annual Benchmark Average Daily Operations 12,073 +2,543 flights/day YoY YTD 2026 Cumulative (Jan-May) 1,506,152 +9.48% vs Jan-May 2025 May 2026 Performance Overview

May 2026 recorded 374,254 business aviation flights, a +26.68% year-over-year increase against May 2025's 295,444 flights. This marks a new annual high, with activity accelerating sharply as summer demand builds and the strong spring momentum carries forward.

The month's daily average of 12,073 flights across 31 operational days exceeded May 2025's 9,530 daily average by 2,543 flights/day. On a sequential basis, May rose +30.39% from April 2026's 287,021 flights, reflecting a powerful, broad-based expansion across all three regions rather than a one-off calendar effect.

The cumulative Jan-May 2026 tally of 1,506,152 flights is tracking +9.48% above the equivalent Jan-May 2025 period (1,375,688 flights). Q1 2026's +6.19% YoY gain has been reinforced by the April-May rebound, widening the YTD lead and lifting the five-month trajectory firmly positive.

Full Year 2025 Review The twelve-month cumulative performance of 3,462,830 flights for full year 2025 establishes the annual benchmark for year-over-year comparisons. Monthly averages of 288,569 flights throughout 2025 set the operational baseline, with Oct 2025's 311,816 departures marking the single-month peak. May 2026's 374,254 flights came in well above the 2025 monthly average, signaling robust momentum.

The 2025 annual trajectory showed steady volumes from June through November (293K-312K range), with all twelve months exceeding 250,000 departures. This consistent baseline frames May 2026's strength against an already-elevated comparison.

Market Dynamics and Trends May 2025's comparison base of 295,444 flights establishes a relatively elevated benchmark, yet May 2026 still cleared it by +26.68%. This is the fourth positive monthly print of 2026 (after January, March and April), confirming the recovery's breadth with only February negative year-to-date.

Regional market share composition in May 2026 shows North America accounting for 74.99% of global departures (280,655 flights), Europe contributing 16.37% (61,276 flights), and all other regions comprising 8.64% (32,323 flights). Compared to April 2026, all regions expanded in absolute terms, with Europe posting the sharpest gain as the summer season opened.

Fleet utilization patterns reflect the heightened activity environment: the daily average of 12,073 operations sits well above the 2025 baseline of approximately 9,490 daily flights, indicating broad-based strength rather than concentrated gains in any single region.

Q2 2026 Outlook With Jan-May 2026 actuals now complete, the five-month cumulative volume of 1,506,152 flights tracks +9.48% above the equivalent 2025 period. The widening YTD lead reflects durable demand, with June activity poised to extend the positive trajectory into mid-year.

Looking ahead, June 2025's 296,041 baseline establishes the next YoY benchmark. Historical seasonal patterns show sustained summer volumes, and May's exceptional print sets a strong platform. The Q2 trajectory now points to 2026 extending — rather than merely defending — its YTD lead over 2025.