Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation — Business Survival Rate

An estimated 61% of nonscheduled chartered passenger air transportation businesses survive their first 5 years, based on U.S. Census Bureau Business Dynamics Statistics. The annual business closure rate is 9.4%.

61%
5-Year Survival Rate
+6.8%
Net Growth Rate
1,903
Total Firms
156
Annual Firm Deaths

Is Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation a Good Business to Start?

With a 61% five-year survival rate, nonscheduled chartered passenger air transportation has an above-average survival rate compared to the national average of roughly 50%. This makes it a relatively safe industry to enter — businesses here tend to find stable demand and sustainable economics.

The annual exit rate of 9.4% is lower than many sectors, suggesting that once established, these businesses have staying power. That said, lower failure rates often correlate with higher barriers to entry or established competition.

Entry vs. Exit Rates

Annual rate of new businesses opening versus existing businesses closing.

Entry Rate (new businesses)14.6%
Exit Rate (closures)9.4%

Net positive: more businesses opening than closing (+5.1 pp spread).

Job Creation & Destruction

16.0%
Job Creation Rate
9.2%
Job Destruction Rate
+6.8%
Net Job Growth

The industry is adding jobs faster than losing them — a positive sign for both workers and new business owners looking to hire. Total employment: 58,579 workers across 1,903 firms.

Want to know how much nonscheduled chartered passenger air transportation businesses actually make?

See full revenue benchmarks for Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation →

Frequently Asked Questions

What percentage of nonscheduled chartered passenger air transportation businesses fail?
Approximately 39% of nonscheduled chartered passenger air transportation businesses fail within their first 5 years. The annual closure rate is 9.4%, with 156 firms closing permanently in 2023.
Is the nonscheduled chartered passenger air transportation industry growing or shrinking?
The nonscheduled chartered passenger air transportation industry is currently growing with a net job creation rate of +6.8% per year. New businesses are entering at 14.6% while 9.4% close annually.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics (2023). Survival rate estimated from annual exit rates.