Your essential weekly digest of International Business and Private Aviation Industry news

Atlanta, Georgia:

Wheels Up unveils concierge-style customer experience under single brand

New go-to-market model fully integrates the global aviation platform across programmatic membership, private jet and group charter, and premium commercial solutions.

Wheels Up has launched a seamless, concierge-level customer engagement model that will deliver individualized, portfolio-wide travel solutions for any trip, from anywhere, to any destination in the world.

In a break from the industry standard, the company announced it has unified its full range of customer offerings under a single brand and organizational structure. Wheels Up's newly integrated commercial model will provide a single, personalized team to manage private aviation membership, global private charter, group charter, and hybrid private-commercial itineraries through a first-of-its-kind strategic partnership with Delta Air Lines.

These organizational changes bring together the Wheels Up and Air Partner brands in the US, which were previously supported by separate sales, marketing, account management, and service delivery organizations, as well as separate back-end platforms and processes. This approach fully realizes and delivers the breadth of the Wheels Up portfolio and reinforces the company's commitment to a more streamlined, customer-centric, end-to-end aviation experience.

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Boston:

Bain Capital enters FBO sector with acquisition of APP Jet Center

Private investment firm Bain Capital has announced its entry into the FBO sector through the acquisition of APP Jet Center, a provider of aviation services at high-quality, supply-constrained airports in the United States.

Mark Johnstone, the former CEO of Signature Aviation, will lead the business.

APP Jet Center is a well-established FBO operator with a portfolio of five locations across the US, serving business and general aviation customers in markets including South Florida, the Washington, DC region, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Denver.

The platform provides a full suite of aviation real estate and related services, including aircraft hangar space and fueling. Bain Capital will look to actively expand APP’s footprint with additional high-quality assets serving supply - constrained markets.

Demand for private and business aviation services has been supported by long-term growth in flight activity, modernized aircraft that require modern hangar infrastructure, and airport environments that limit new development. These dynamics, combined with the more operational nature of the business, make FBOs well suited to Bain Capital’s thematic, value-add investment approach.

“APP Jet Center is a strong starting point for our FBO strategy, as the business operates at attractive, capacity-constrained airports and has built long-standing relationships with airport authorities and customers,” said Chris Leddy, a Managing Director at Bain Capital Real Estate.

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Los Angeles:

IADA Q4 market report shows resilient demand, strong dealer confidence and solid deal flow

The International Aircraft Dealers Association (IADA) has released its Fourth Quarter 2025 Market Report, revealing a resilient and active global business aircraft marketplace.

The preowned business aircraft market was driven by strong year-end demand, favorable tax policy, improved financing conditions and sustained confidence among IADA-Accredited Dealers and Certified Brokers.

Based on verified transaction data reported monthly by IADA-Accredited Dealers, combined with the association’s proprietary IADA Member Perspective Survey, the report shows that market sentiment and activity strengthened in the fourth quarter to the highest levels recorded in 2025, capping another strong year for the preowned business aircraft sector.

The fourth quarter survey indicated that bonus depreciation, lower interest rates and tight inventory underpinned a balanced market heading to 2026.

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Toronto:

Aero Asset sees tight supply, strong pricing in 2025 single-engine helicopter market

Helicopter sales and market intelligence firm, Aero Asset, has released its 2025 Annual Heli Market Trends Single-Engine edition.

The report reveals that supply for sale dropped 26% year-over-year (YOY), while median transaction prices rose 5%. Retail sales volume decreased 7% YOY in units, and increased 6% in value. Absorption rate dropped to eight months at the end of 2025.

“Transaction volume softened in 2025, but tightening supply drove price growth,” said Valérie Pereira, Vice President of Market Research. “The sharp contraction in supply pushed absorption rate lower, underscoring a continued demand for well-positioned single-engine assets.”

Pricing Trends

Pricing remained resilient throughout the year. Median transaction prices rose 5% YOY, while average days on market fell 12%, reaching their lowest level in five years. Aircraft continued to transact close to asking price, with sold prices averaging 9% below ask.

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Washington, DC:

NBAA supports strategic reforms to FAA structure

National Business Aviation Association President and CEO Ed Bolen has welcomed organizational changes that ensure the Federal Aviation Administration is strategically positioned to meet today’s aviation challenges, advance US aviation leadership in the future, and bolster the work to enhance safety, the industry’s highest priority.

The comprehensive reorganization was unveiled on Monday (26th) by Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford, who noted that the agency-wide overhaul is the largest in its history.

“The FAA’s new structure makes the changes required to increase operational efficiency, foster innovation and empower the bold action needed to build an aviation system that in many ways will redefine air transportation,” Bolen said.

“More than just a ‘re-org,’ this plan re-envisions what America’s aviation system is, and how it can best serve all stakeholders, now and in the decades to come,” Bolen added. “NBAA joins with the rest of the aviation community in commending Secretary Duffy and Administrator Bedford for setting forth a bold plan for a new era in aerospace.”

Chapman Freeborn

Tyler Porteous

Global air charter specialist, Chapman Freeborn, announced the appointment of Tyler Porteous as Vice President of Cargo – Canada, reinforcing its cargo charter capabilities in the region and strengthening its support for local customers.

In his new role, Porteous will focus on developing Chapman Freeborn’s cargo operations in Canada, expanding its customer base, and identifying new opportunities across key market segments. He will work closely with clients to deliver tailored charter solutions while building long-term partnerships across the region.

With more than 15 years of experience in air cargo and charter operations, Porteous brings deep expertise in freighter operations, commercial strategy, and market development. He previously worked for one of the world’s largest freighter operators, where he was responsible for building and growing the charter division.

Porteous has collaborated with Chapman Freeborn colleagues for many years, building a strong professional relationship and gaining a close understanding of the company’s charter-first, customer-driven approach.

APOC

Carlos Miguel Branco Sandels

APOC Aviation, a trading and leasing specialist for narrowbody aircraft parts, engines and landing gear, has announced the appointment of Carlos Miguel Branco Sandels to the role of Business Development Manager.

Sandels, who will be based at APOC’s Rotterdam office, joins with more than 15 years’ professional sales and business development experience gained across varied industries.

For the last five years he has focused on the aviation sector, most recently working at TDA (Touchdown Aviation). He also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Languages & Communication, and a Master’s degree in International Relations from University of Évora.

Craig Skilton, VP Components, at APOC comments: “Carlos has a strong network and a clear understanding of how European operators make decisions regarding component sourcing and maintenance strategies, which will be a great asset to our team.”