North America Monthly Flight Activity

03. North America Monthly Flight Activity Regional Flight Activity Analysis | Departure-Based Statistics Note: Flight counts based on departure location. North America includes United States, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, and Central America.

May 2026 Departures 280,655 +27.32% MoM YTD Volume (Jan-May) 1,146,996 74.99% of Global YoY Change +28.53% vs May 2025 Peak Month 2025 Oct: 235,531 2025 High North America Monthly Business Jet Departures Trend (May 2025 – May 2026)

150K 185K 220K 255K 290K MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN'26 FEB'26 MAR'26 APR'26 MAY'26 218.4K 209.5K 208.9K 212.8K 217.9K 235.5K 226.2K 221.9K 202.7K 164.9K 278.2K 220.4K 280.7K May Performance Analysis North America recorded 280,655 business jet departures in May 2026, a +27.32% sequential increase from April 2026's 220,442 flights. Year-over-year, the region expanded +28.53% against May 2025's 218,362 departures. This surge reflects strong early-summer demand, lifting activity to a new high well above the 2025 monthly baseline.

The region held a 74.99% share of global departures, its lowest in recent months as Europe's outsized rebound captured share — yet North America's absolute volume still set a record. Its leadership reflects mature FBO infrastructure and a deeply embedded corporate aviation culture, with May's strength broad-based across all major sub-regions.

Seasonal Pattern Recognition The 13-month trend illustrates that May 2026's 280,655 flights came in well above May 2025's 218,362, the fourth positive YoY print of 2026. The APR-to-MAY rise of roughly 60,000 flights extends March's rebound, and the absolute level is the highest reading in the tracking window.

Market Dynamics U.S. domestic operations led the expansion, with the U.S. daily average climbing to approximately 8,277 flights across 31 days (256,575 / 31). Southeast and Texas corridors saw heightened activity as summer travel demand accelerated. Canadian (+61.75% MoM) and Mexican operations also advanced, reinforcing the broad-based regional strength.

Charter and fractional operators reported stronger May booking volumes consistent with the post-spring acceleration. The breadth of the upturn across operator segments and aircraft types indicates genuine demand growth rather than a one-off calendar effect in any single category.

June Outlook June 2025's 209,456 baseline establishes the next YoY benchmark. Historical seasonal patterns show NA volumes typically holding firm from June through September. YTD Jan-May 2026 stands at 1,146,996 flights, +8.90% above Jan-May 2025's 1,053,217, providing a solid cushion for sustained YoY gains in upcoming months.