Fuel Sales Increased for More Than Half of U.S. FBOs in 2017, Survey Says

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For more than half of U.S. FBOs, fuel sales increased in 2017 compared to 2016, according to the annual FBO fuel sales survey conducted by Aviation Business Strategies Group principals and AC-U-KWIK FBO Connection bloggers John Enticknap and Ron Jackson.
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Study: Blue Grass Airport Lifts Region with $370 million in Annual Economic Output, Supports 3,478 Jobs

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Blue Grass Airport generates an annual economic output of $370 million and payrolls of $104 million, according to a new report by Wilbur Smith Associates. Airport operations supported 3,478 jobs in 2010, the Cincinnati-based analysts report in a study being released today.
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The Cost of Aviation Fuel

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We think it’s fair to say we are all feeling the impact on fuel price increases over the last six months or so. As a pilot, I’m seeking the best fuel price and am modifying my flying patterns to get the best deal.

Historically, after an initial spike in oil prices, the market tends to settle down. So why haven’t we seen a stabilization in Jet A fuel prices? What’s causing the volatility in the open and spot fuel markets?

Besides the obvious affects of world events, including the disaster in Japan and political upheaval in the Middle East oil-producing regions, there are other underlying dynamics that contribute to rising aviation fuel prices.

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Pre-Owned Aircraft Trading Continues at Modest Pace

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Trading in the pre-owned aircraft market continued at a modest pace as the third quarter came to a close and aligned itself on fourth-quarter activity for 2010.
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Pre-Owned Aircraft Transactions Increase While Values Decrease

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There should be some optimism in our industry. Buyers and sellers are coming to terms with what the market will bear for a given aircraft. And with that, the pre-owned aircraft market is seeing more completed deals. The gridlock of available inventory is starting to show some movement. Values on the other hand remain soft with little signs of recovery.
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Used Aircraft Market Shows Signs of Better Days Ahead

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Finally, the pre-owned aircraft market moved in a positive direction in the first quarter of 2010. Late-model, large-cabin, long-range aircraft were selling at or better than values published in the Aircraft Bluebook.

External factors such as increased sales, a slight decline of available inventory and world market competition could all be considered causes for the improvement. Although this early indication of a slow recovery is in progress, it is too early to celebrate. Any positive sign going forward is far better than where the used aircraft market has been.

With the exception of the late-model, large-cabin class, most of the other business aircraft are not yet recovering in value. The good news is that values are showing more stability. Market activity is on the rise leaving a more optimistic perception that values are not exposed to the risks experienced in the last twenty months.

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Aircraft Prices Remain Stable While Signs of Recovery Glimmer in Dubai

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Entering its home stretch, 2009 certainly has been a forgettable year for general aviation. The losses in value for most owners of corporate aircraft have been significant and, at times, have even been heartbreaking. However, something is happening out there. While economists predict an economic recovery will be achingly slow, some aircraft values are moving up. The change is barely perceptible and does not apply to every market segment. But inventories are finally contracting instead of expanding, and dealers are again becoming cautiously optimistic.
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NATA Pushes for Support of Public-Use Airports, GA and NextGen

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National Air Transportation Association (NATA) vice president of government and industry affairs Eric R. Byer testified before the U.S. House Subcommittee on Aviation on Nov. 17 to discuss emergency measures that Congress can take to assist the struggling aviation industry. NATA advocated for positive reinforcement for public-use airports, general aviation businesses, aircraft and pilots.
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Aircraft Values Neutralize After Descent

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Aircraft values reported in the previous quarter were in a spiral dive, but the economy’s pilot now appears to have neutralized the rapid descent. For the most part, values have arrived at ground level. Inventories have shown signs of stability with little or no growth in units for sale. Other market indicators show signs of neutralization as well. Aircraft dealers and brokers report that interest has increased. Phones are ringing more with potential buyers on the line. Compared to the 2005 baseline real gross domestic product, GDP declined 1.0 percent in the second quarter of 2009 after declining 6.4 percent in the first quarter. These indicators support the signs of neutralization in the marketplace, though the used aircraft market has no reason to rally.
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Market Perception Is Key to Current Aircraft Values

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With the warm rays of the summer sun approaching, the current economic condition of values for pre-owned aircraft is anything but sunny. The aircraft market has suffered its greatest loss in value since the corporate jet became a part of American enterprise with its introduction in the 1960s. As with any commodity traded in a free market, one that is not restricted or regulated by government controls on pricing, the core element of value is in human perception. For aircraft values, perception of worth is always on the leading edge of value.
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Business Jet Buyers, Sellers Don't Agree on Values

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Looking at the few jet sales that occurred in the final three months of 2008, it is interesting to attempt to identify the types of transactions. Are the sale prices considered fair market values, or are they more along the lines of distressed liquidation values? It depends on the side of the bargaining table. For the seller, chances are the distress in the negotiated sale price has to do with some urgency to liquidate the asset. On the other hand, the buyer who is the end user will argue the sale price is fair market value because he would not be willing to pay more for the aircraft. With too many buyers and sellers still riding the fence, it is hard to know what to call the sale. One thing is certain: If the present economy is our OK Corral, it is getting close to high noon. With the showdown at hand, one side or the other will be the first to break leather. After the smoke clears, everyone will know who the winner is. Time will tell.
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Pre-Owned Aircraft Sales Search for Stability in Failing Economy

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The end of the third quarter of 2008 brought havoc and chaos to our national and global economies. Consider the devastation of a violent act of Mother Nature. Everything in the radius of destruction gets annihilated, without concern for good or bad, passive or active, aware or unaware. Corporate aircraft sales could not dodge the violence of the economic meltdown. In the wake of economic failure, the aircraft market is searching for stability.
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