Your essential weekly digest of International Business and Private Aviation Industry news
 Melbourne, Florida:Embraer launches the Phenom 300EVEmbraer has announced the latest evolution of the world's best-selling light jet - the Phenom 300EV. As the fastest and longest-range aircraft in its class, the new Phenom 300EV builds on the platform's proven success with a range of upgrades focused on safety, performance, and passenger comfort.
The aircraft now features intuitive safety technologies, including Garmin Emergency Autoland, alongside a series of performance enhancements and interior refinements. These updates are designed to further elevate the Phenom 300EV's capabilities while improving cabin functionality and delivering an even better experience for customers. As the largest business jet equipped with Garmin Emergency Autoland, the Phenom 300EV can execute a fully automated landing in the unlikely event of pilot incapacitation. Landings and takeoffs are also supported by class-exclusive Autobrake, for further safety and comfort. Enabling these capabilities, a new Embraer-developed Multi-Purpose Electronic Controller (MEC), integrates rudder-by-wire and other electronically controlled aircraft functions, contributing to reduced pilot workload and simplified maintenance.
Manassas, Virginia:FAA certification milestone for Electra's EL9 Ultra Short AircraftElectra, the global leader in ultra-short hybrid-electric aviation, has announced that the FAA has closed the G-1 Issue Paper, formally establishing the certification basis for Electra’s EL9 Ultra Short aircraft and advancing the company toward the next big step in type certification of the company’s nine-passenger hybrid-electric aircraft. Electra submitted its Part 23 type certification application in November 2025. The swift completion of the G-1 Issue Paper in just seven months reflects years of early technical engagement with the FAA and establishes an agreed regulatory foundation for several industry-first technologies, including distributed hybrid-electric propulsion, blown-lift for ultra-short takeoff and landing, and advanced fly-by-wire controls designed to support low-speed handling and reduce pilot workload.
“The swift G1 achievement reflects the hard work and productive collaboration between Electra and the FAA, who are working together to make the future of aviation real,” said Marc Allen, CEO of Electra. “We are focused now on carrying forward this strong momentum into the G-2 phase of our work with the FAA.” |
Global bizjet activity expanded sluggishly at +1.1% year-on-year in Week 28 (6-12 July), with the year-to-date figure through 12 July at +3.9% ahead of last year, a full 1.0 percentage point increase compared to the 2025 vs 2024 trend across the same dates.While accounting for only 1% of global bizjet traffic last week, Africa was the star performer, realizing 22.4% more bizjet activity than in Week 28 2025. Event Analysis: Allen & Co Sun Valley Conference draws high profiles to Idaho
Sun Valley’s signature in-and-out shape was apparent this year, with 151 inbound business jets on Tuesday 7 July alone, as principals converged for the conference opening. Departures then built steadily across the week to a Friday 10 July peak of 87 and stayed elevated through the closing weekend, with 68 on Saturday and 78 on Sunday.
Dubai, UAE:GCAA certifies world’s first purpose-built commercial vertiport in UAEThe world's first purpose-built commercial vertiport - developed by Skyports Infrastructure - has received regulatory certification from The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) for electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft operations.
Located adjacent to Dubai International Airport and officially registered as VDX under the GCAA certification process, the facility paves the way for the future commencement of commercial Air Taxi services in Dubai. VDX will serve as the first and primary hub within Dubai’s planned Air Taxi network, with three additional vertiports currently under development. The network and vertiports are being developed by Skyports in collaboration with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).
Managing budgets for aviation has always been dynamic. New mandates require unexpected upgrades, tech issues require unexpected maintenance time, and changing fleets make financial planning a challenge. Operating costs are one of the least predictable line items on a flight department budget sheet. Yet principals and passengers always expect the aircraft to be ready, waiting, and available as needed. They also expect the aircraft to be connected; even a short two-hour flight without connectivity can result in a lost deal, a missed call, or reduced productivity due to missed meetings.
Yet we know that not every operator has been able to access connectivity solutions, and that this can be driven by budget constraints. We understand the importance of budget management and the complex balancing act between flying with connectivity and the expenditure required to equip, install, and support it.
Zurich, Switzerland:Swissport’s PrivatPort expands global FBO network, opens 24/7 Dubai Operations Control CentrePrivatPort, the dedicated executive aviation brand of Swissport, has announced the next phase of its global expansion, increasing its dedicated FBO network from seven to nine locations and establishing a centralized, 24/7 Operations Control Center (OCC) in Dubai, UAE.
The network expansion includes two additional FBO locations in Mexico, strengthening PrivatPort’s presence across key international business aviation markets. The dedicated facilities are supported by executive aviation services at more than 70 locations worldwide, providing operators, brokers and flight departments with broader access to Swissport’s established ground-handling infrastructure.
Savannah, Georgia:Gulfstream pioneers high-altitude 100% SAF testing to cut contrail-forming emissionsGulfstream has become the first business aviation company to successfully complete a high-altitude flight test campaign demonstrating the potential for 100% neat sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to reduce contrail-forming particle emissions at altitudes up to 50,000 feet.
The campaign marks the first 100% SAF flight for the Gulfstream G800 and Pearl 700 engine. The aircraft was paired with a specially modified Gulfstream G700, transformed into a flying emissions measurement laboratory. Operating in close formation, the aircraft enabled researchers to capture precise, real-world measurements of particulate matter and contrail-forming atmospheric characteristics at higher altitudes than flown by most commercial airliners, yet typical for business aviation.
Manassas, Virginia:Electra, UrbanV, and Signature collaborate to unlock new regional mobility ecosystemElectra, the global leader in ultra-short hybrid-electric aviation, and the UrbanV–Signature Aviation infrastructure platform - which combines UrbanV’s end-to-end vertiport development and operations capabilities with Signature Aviation’s global network of private aviation terminals - have announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to partner on building the foundation for a new regional mobility ecosystem. The partnership aims to enable direct, point-to-point air travel that connects people and communities in fundamentally different ways, expanding beyond traditional aviation models.
This new model of travel, called Direct Aviation, integrates aircraft, infrastructure, and operations into a coordinated system to enable seamless travel between communities - and this new partnership supports three essential elements of the ecosystem.
Jonzac-Neulles Airport, France:Daher steps up its support and logistics capabilities with an expanded new facility in western FranceDaher Aircraft has inaugurated a new spare parts, maintenance, equipment overhaul and logistics center in western France that expands the company’s support capabilities for a broad range of aircraft - from helicopters and training airplanes to legacy general aviation types built by its predecessor companies.
The facility occupies a purpose-built 6,000-square-meter building at Jonzac-Neulles Airport (LFCJ) in France’s Charente-Maritime Department, replacing Daher Aircraft’s previous Merpins operation, located 25 kilometers to the north. Its expanded workspace ensures continuity for Daher Aircraft’s ongoing support and services contracts, while also providing capacity for future growth and business development. In addition, the new facility’s direct access to Jonzac-Neulles Airport’s 1,370-meter-long runway opens new opportunities for on-aircraft maintenance and technical support.
Dubai:Growing demand for long-range private travel drives DC Aviation Al-Futtaim's ACJ318 Elite+ fleet expansionDC Aviation Al-Futtaim (DCAF) has expanded its charter fleet with the addition of a fully managed Airbus ACJ318 Elite+.
Scheduled to enter service by the end of June 2026, the fully refurbished aircraft will be permanently stationed at DCAF’s integrated hangar and VIP lounge facility at Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) in Dubai South. This addition aligns with the sustained growth of the business aviation sector across the Middle East.
United States:World Cup - good news for business jetsEmerald Media's Liz Danner reports on JETNET's recent World Cup webinar. As the FIFA World Cup progresses, WINGX data indicates a significant increase in business aviation activity across host cities. The largest spikes are expected during the current knockout rounds and most particularly, the final which takes place on July 19th at MetLife Stadium, New York.
Flight data analysed by WINGX during the opening phase of the tournament (11th-22nd June) showed clear increases in business jet activity around host cities.
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 Birmingham, UK:UK's newsest private aviation operator cleared for take-offFollowing approval from the UK Civil Aviation Authority, above™ is ready to start commercial operations, bringing a fresh approach to private aviation. Operating from its base at Birmingham Airport's XLR Executive Jet Centre, above™ launches with 25 published fixed-price, city pair destinations across the UK and Europe, alongside flexible on-demand private charter services via charter brokers, aboard its Embraer Phenom 100 (G-FABV).
Vince Essex, CEO, Founder and Accountable Manager above™ A second Phenom 100 has already been identified, along with discussion about where to position it, regionally. above™ has been built around a long-held belief: customers buy time. Created for today's Modern Achievers - entrepreneurs, founders, professionals and their families who value time, flexibility and experiences - above™ believes private aviation should be straightforward, transparent and centred on maximising life's most valuable asset: time. above™ launches with a portfolio of fixed-price charter routes from Birmingham, covering popular same-day return and one-night stay destinations across the UK and Europe. |
121 horses, one extraordinary journeyChapman Freeborn Group has completed a specialist live animal charter operation transporting 121 Mongolian horses between Ulaanbaatar and Hanoi, in collaboration with Intradco Global, its dedicated live animal transport brand. The operation involved three back-to-back B757F charter flights over 38 hours, moving 51 horses outbound, 20 horses on the return journey and a further 50 horses outbound as part of a carefully coordinated rotation. Live animal charters require specialist planning beyond standard cargo operations, with every stage focused on animal welfare, aircraft suitability, documentation, loading procedures and close coordination between teams.
“This was a very special movement and a strong example of what can be achieved when specialist teams work closely together across the group,” said Latha Narayan, President APAC at Chapman Freeborn. “Projects of this nature rely on trust, detailed planning, specialist knowledge and continuous coordination. By working closely with Intradco Global, we were able to deliver a complex live animal movement with the care, agility and expertise required.” The mission also formed part of a wider bilateral initiative, with some horses returning after several years while others travelled onward. Members of the original animal care team were reunited for the project, providing valuable continuity and expertise.
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