At the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) State of the Industry Press Conference, GAMA Chairman Ron Draper, president and CEO of Textron Aviation, delivered a clear message about the strength and future of general aviation.
Speaking alongside industry leaders, Draper positioned the sector as a driving force for technological advancement and economic growth while outlining the opportunities ahead.
A healthy market driven by rapid innovation
Draper told reporters the general aviation industry remains on solid footing, supported by strong customer demand and another year of record billings. “The industry feels very healthy,” Draper said. “I think all OEMs are seeing good sales and backlogs, and the market’s been strong.”
Ron Draper.
He noted that companies are turning to general aviation to meet evolving business needs, a trend reinforced by the sector’s reputation as a fast mover in advanced technology. Draper said today’s general aviation aircraft often outpace commercial and military platforms in cockpit safety, automation and situational awareness.
“If you buy one of the aircraft that this industry is producing today, it has more technology, more situational awareness for the pilot and their airspace than most of the airliners you’re getting on or most of the military aircraft that are flying in the airspace,” he said.
Phenom 300 series dominates global light jet market for 14th consecutive year
Embraer's Phenom 300 series maintains its position as the world’s best-selling light jet for the 14th consecutive year, according to data released by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) during its State of the Industry press conference in Washington, DC.
The data also confirmed the light jet as the most delivered twin-engine jet for the sixth year in a row.
In 2025, Embraer delivered 72 Phenom 300 series aircraft, marking the highest annual total of this decade. More than 900 aircraft are in service worldwide, operating in 70 countries and accumulating over 2.9 million flight hours.
The Phenom 300E is the fastest light jet in production, capable of a maximum speed of Mach 0.80 and a five occupant range of 2,010 nautical miles (3,724 km) with NBAA IFR reserves. The aircraft’s advanced avionics suite includes the Runway Overrun Awareness and Alerting System (ROAAS) - the first system of its kind to be developed and certified in business aviation - as well as autothrottle, Synthetic Vision System, Emergency Descent Mode, and other features.
The Phenom 300E also incorporates technology typically found in larger jets, such as single point refueling, an externally serviced lavatory, and an airstair.
The National Business Aviation Association welcomed comprehensive bipartisan legislation from leaders in the House of Representatives to increase aviation safety by effectively addressing the many key lessons from the tragic January 2025 midair collision near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to real-world operations in the National Airspace System (NAS).
House Transportation & Infrastructure and Armed Services committee leaders released the Airspace Location and Enhanced Risk Transparency (ALERT) Act, which uniquely seeks to implement all of the National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB’s) recommendations following the agency‘s investigation into the DCA crash.
The bill - from T&I Committee Chair Sam Graves (R-6-MO), Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-2-WA), along with Armed Services Chair Mike Rogers (R-3-AL) and ranking member Adam Smith (D-9-WA) - provides a comprehensive set of changes and encourages use of the latest technologies to improve US aviation safety.
“Safety is business aviation’s highest priority, first and always,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen.
“We commend Committee Chairman Graves, Chairman Rogers, and Ranking Members Larsen and Smith, for joining to introduce this landmark legislation to meaningfully strengthen safety, while providing a path for adoption across the wide diversity of aircraft in the aviation fleet.”
Marking three decades of success in private aviation, Elevate Jet has introduced a new mobile app designed to make booking a private jet as fast and straightforward as ordering a rideshare.
Built for modern travelers accustomed to quick, tech-driven convenience, the platform combines the company’s operational expertise with advanced artificial intelligence to modernize a process long known for delays and complexity.
“Private aviation has always promised luxury, but too often delivers frustration,” said CEO Greg Raiff.
“The Elevate Jet app changes everything. In seconds, clients can see pricing, select the right aircraft, and book with confidence. It’s private jet travel reimagined for the digital age.”
Elevate Jet has historically handled complex aviation logistics for leaders across music, professional sports, technology, and global business.
From on-demand charter and aircraft management to acquisition guidance and maintenance coordination, the company built its reputation on anticipating challenges and executing flights with precision and accountability.
New program elevates safety and proficiency in high-risk approach operations
FlightSafety International has announced the launch of the industry’s first Advanced Circling and Visual Approach course.
The immersive curriculum is designed to enhance pilot and crew proficiency while lowering the risks associated with maneuvering low to the ground in reduced visibility conditions.
The three-part course emphasizes planning, briefing, and execution strategies. The training includes interactive eLearning that builds foundational knowledge of circling and visual approaches and highlights associated risks and mitigations.
A facilitated ground session reinforces key concepts through discussion and scenario-based learning. The course concludes with hands-on simulator training, where pilots apply the techniques across varying scenarios and operational conditions, such as complex situations involving mountainous terrain, low visibility, and tighter maneuvering airspace.
Voluxis, the charter operator and aircraft management company, has brought in the highly experienced Yvette Álvarez Clack as Senior Aircraft Management Specialist.
Gavin Copus, Senior Commercial Director at Voluxis, commented: “We’re delighted to welcome Yvette to the team. She will be a great asset in her role in helping to develop the business on the aircraft management side of Voluxis, and brings a wealth of experience in a range of similar roles across the globe.
“Having started her private aviation career in 2014 in southern Florida, Yvette has gained a vast amount of experience in the 12 years since, in both sales and business development, with her most recent role also here at Farnborough.”
Yvette added: “I’m excited to be working alongside Gavin and Warren in expanding the fleet of managed aircraft and exploring new opportunities this year across our global bases.”
The Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics (6-22 Feb) generated a notable surge in business jet activity across Northern Italy, with a total of 884 departures recorded during the Olympic period, nearly a 40% increase compared to the typical average flights for any given comparable timeframe.
This places the 2026 Winter Games ahead of the surge seen in Paris and Tokyo, though still below the exceptional Beijing 2022 surge of 50%.
Zooming out to the year-to-date picture, global bizjet traffic has reached 536,000 flights, 3.8% ahead of the same period in 2025, a slight acceleration from the 3.4% growth reported through 22 February in 2025 vs 2024. The 1-22 February window tells an even stronger story, with global flights up 5.6% over the comparable period last year.
Embraer has unveiled the next generation Praetor 600E and Praetor 500E, marking the first evolution of the Praetor family.
The new aircraft introduce fully reimagined cabins that transform the private flight experience, maximizing the longer missions these aircraft are capable of flying.
Gogo CEO Chris Moore discusses the importance of automated flight to operational centre connections.
Robust, high-bandwidth inflight connectivity powers business and drives entertainment on business and VIP aircraft around the world.
Passenger expectations today are built around being connected. And while we at Gogo constantly innovate to offer the best and most reliable connectivity for all passengers, we also believe the story goes into the flight deck in several ways.
Ensuring dependable and fast connectivity to the flight deck may be our number one priority, but it’s the additional services - the operational “value adds” - that move the needle even further for operators and crews.
Most of us who get access to the fight deck are used to seeing pilot iPads displaying en route weather, updated itineraries, or even webcam footage of the arrival runway. That’s become part of modern flying. But there’s another layer of critical connectivity running quietly in the background; one that connects flight crews in the air with their operations centers on the ground.
Air ambulance, charter, and cargo services company, Aerocardal, has taken delivery of its second LET L-410 NG twin-engine turboprop aircraft, further expanding the company’s capabilities for passenger transport, special missions, and operations into remote destinations across Chile and the wider region.
The Let L-410NG is widely recognized for its ability to operate in demanding environments where infrastructure is limited. The aircraft’s short takeoff and landing performance allows access to unpaved and short runways, making it particularly well suited for operations in remote communities, mining regions, island destinations, and humanitarian support missions.
Leading MRO services provider, West Star Aviation, has broken ground on a major expansion at its Chattanooga Airport campus. The expansion will increase the Chattanooga site to approximately 400,000 square feet, with completion targeted for February 2027.
The development adds capacity and capability across two key areas of the campus. Hangar 26 will be a 40,000 square foot hangar supported by 15,000 square feet of shop and office space, including customer offices, program offices, and climate-controlled storage to safeguard customer interiors and property when removed from the aircraft.
Textron Aviation's affiliate, TRU Simulation + Training Inc., has announced that its Full Flight Simulator (FFS) for the Cessna Citation Ascend has achieved Federal Aviation Administration Level D qualification.
This milestone significantly enhances advanced training options for midsize jet pilots, delivering a highly immersive and true-to-life training environment on the recently FAA certified Citation Ascend. European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) qualification is anticipated in 2026, further extending the simulator’s global reach.
Delaware-based completions and MRO specialist ALOFT AeroArchitects, has announced the opening of a new satellite engineering office located in Northwest Indianapolis.
The Indianapolis location at Woodland Corporate Park will house Program Management, FAA Certification Engineering, and Structural, Electrical, Interior, and Mechanical Systems Engineers to support a diverse backlog of VVIP and special mission modification work well into the future.
Embraer-CAE Training Services (ECTS), a joint venture between Embraer and CAE, has purchased its first full flight simulator (FFS) dedicated to training pilots for Eve Air Mobility.
The simulator will be the first device delivered to ECTS following its selection in October 2024 as Eve’s training provider and will be operated by ECTS to deliver training to Eve and its customers.
Specialist regional aircraft lessor, TrueNoord, has announced the successful delivery of two ATR 42-600 aircraft to JSX, the US public charter carrier known for its distinctive ‘hop-on’ premium service model.
The first aircraft was delivered in November, with the second following in January. Both turboprops are now in operation with the service.The transaction strengthens TrueNoord’s presence of ATR turboprops in the North American market.
With the company’s financial year closing on January 31st, the world’s largest aircraft charter specialist, Air Charter Service has announced turnover of US$ 1.34bn, an increase of 10.3% on 2024’s figures, driven by 19.1% growth in private jet revenue.
Chris Leach, Chairman at Air Charter Service, said: “We had an exceptionally pleasing 2025, with both charter numbers and revenue increasing across all divisions; private jets, group travel, cargo, leasing and time critical services.
Chris Leach.
“Of our three main divisions, private jets saw the largest revenue growth, with figures up 19.1% on 2024. This was fuelled by a number of strategies paying dividends, including the expansion of our Jet Card programme. Our helicopter business also saw great progress with a 44% jump in revenue over 2024’s figures.
“Our group charter division saw a healthy increase in turnover, with huge increase in charter numbers and 2025 represents our best ever year for the department. It was the year in which the team broke our longest flight record twice in a week - first from Dallas to Sydney, and then Perth to Los Angeles - and chartered the largest ever aircraft to land in Antarctica. Our ACMI & Leasing team saw the largest growth across all divisions however, with a 168% leap in turnover.
STACK.aero, the technology platform streamlining business aviation workflows, experienced significant growth in the uptake of its Business Operations System (BOS) digitalization platform in 2025, and predicts continued adoption through 2026, as customers increasingly seek to reduce silos and streamline services.
In a 2025 Growth Snapshot report, STACK.aero reported a 56% increase in trips created using its technology platform compared to 2024.
Among its charter broker customers, 55% expanded their platform usage, adding customers and upgrading their subscriptions to the premium Enterprise level; of those brokers, 65% expanded their charter teams in response to expanding business supported by the BOS functionality.
And while STACK.aero grew in its core US, UK, and Canadian markets by 40%, 44% and 100%, respectively, it also welcomed its first customers from the Asia-Pacific region.
The company observed strong growth in new customers, significant changes in how existing customers use the platform, and changing user demographics, all of which contributed to the company’s significant growth.
Saxon Air has entered a new phase of accelerated growth, positioning itself as the largest onshore charter rotary operator in the UK.
Since December 2025, five new managed helicopters have joined the fleet, taking the total rotary fleet to twelve aircraft - with further expansion underway and three more expected to join the AOC by April 2026.
The milestone cements Saxon Air’s standing as a trusted operator delivering premium helicopter charter and aircraft management solutions nationwide.
AW109SP (G-ISPM).
The latest addition under Saxon Air’s management, a factory-new AgustaWestland AW109SP (G-ISPM), reflects the company’s continued commitment to operating modern, twin-engine VIP aircraft. With a diversifying fleet that now includes the Leonardo AW109S, AW109 Trekker, AW109SP, AW119Kx and Airbus H125, Saxon Air has established one of the newest and most versatile rotary portfolios in the UK market.
Growth backed by trust
This rapid expansion is not incidental. It is the result of long-term relationships, operational credibility and a reputation for delivering discreet, efficient and commercially intelligent solutions.
The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has granted AirX Charter a Foreign Operator Authorization under GACAR Part 129, authorizing the carrier to conduct domestic on-demand private jet operations within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, thereby expanding customer choice and enhancing access to high-quality business and private aviation services.
Granting authorization to AirX marks another important step in advancing the objectives of the Aviation Program under the National Transport and Logistics Strategy, which aims to position Saudi Arabia as the leading aviation market in the Middle East by 2030.
It also reflects continued progress under GACA’s General Aviation Roadmap, which is guiding the sector’s transformation by aligning infrastructure development, regulation, and investment opportunities to meet rising demand for premium private aviation services among business travellers and ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNW) across the Kingdom.
The authorization was presented at GACA’s headquarters in Riyadh by Captain Sulaiman bin Saleh Al-Muhaimidi, GACA’s Executive Vice President for Aviation Safety and Environmental Sustainability, to Mr. Houssam Hazzoury, Group Chief Executive Officer of AirX, following AirX’s successful fulfilment of all regulatory, operational, and aviation safety requirements under Saudi Arabia’s Civil Aviation Law.
The European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) has announced that ticket sales are live for EBACE26, the industry’s leading Business Aviation event.
EBACE26 sees the return of the static display in a new location at Geneva Airport, with a strong line-up of aircraft spanning a range of sizes and mission profiles, including turboprops and ultra-long-range jets.
Meanwhile, the floorplan for the indoor exhibition is finalised, with a new operators lounge for this year’s edition, the return of networking zones, this time located at the edge of the Hall, and three conference stages with a full agenda.
Stefan Benz, CEO, EBAA, says: “EBACE is the European stage for Business Aviation and this year’s show is being shaped by the industry, for the industry, with open dialogue between the EBAA and the EBACE Advisory Council members about how the event needs to evolve.
“Visitors to EBACE26 can expect to see the exciting static display return with a refreshed concept, along with hospitality zones at our new, dedicated and secure static display location. We’re also pleased to introduce a new operators lounge in the Hall, providing a private space for key exhibitors and operators to connect in a more focused environment."
The San Marino Aircraft Registry (T7) will bring the international aviation community together for the San Marino Aviation Rendezvous 2026, an in-person event focused on strengthening cross-regional collaboration across the global aviation sector, set to take place from 14th to 16th April 2026 at The Lana Hotel in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Organized in coordination with the San Marino Civil Aviation Authority, the Rendezvous builds on the outcome of last year’s Safety Conference.
The 2026 edition broadens its scope beyond safety to address regulatory exposure, operational oversight, technical decision-making, and the financial structures that support aircraft ownership and operation across borders, with a particular focus on cross-regional cooperation between Europe, the Middle East, and other international aviation markets.
The program is designed around current, real-world challenges faced by aircraft owners, operators, and financiers. Through keynote discussions, panel sessions, and technical briefings, participants will examine how regulatory frameworks are evolving and where greater alignment between regions is needed to support safe and compliant operations.
Florida-based Magnifica Air has unveiled the first aircraft in its fleet, marking a significant milestone ahead of the airline’s planned 2027 launch.
Revealed at Orlando International Airport in Magnifica Air’s new livery, the Airbus Corporate Jet ACJ321neo represents the first of four aircraft in the fleet that will be configured exclusively for the airline’s Private Class cabin category for launch service.
Designed to sit between traditional first class and private aviation, Private Class is positioned as a distinct alternative that blends the privacy of private aviation with the safety standards and operational scale of commercial flight.
Powered by two Pratt & Whitney PW1133 geared turbofan engines which are SAF compatible, the ACJ321neo offers a maximum range of approximately 6,100 nautical miles, providing long-haul capability typically associated with corporate aviation platforms. The aircraft will now enter its interior completion phase, where it will be transformed over ten-months into Magnifica Air’s bespoke Private Class configuration.
