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Features

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

Washington, DC:

NBAA supports Senate bills to strengthen aviation safety and mental health resources

The National Business Aviation Association has welcomed the introduction of the Mental Health in Aviation Act and the Aviation Medication Transparency Act.

These measures aim to improve transparency around medication guidelines, expand access to mental health resources, reduce stigma, and help protect the livelihoods of controllers and pilots.

Both bills were introduced in the Senate by Sens. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and John Hoeven (R-ND). Earlier this year, the House of Representatives passed the Mental Health in Aviation Act and introduced the Aviation Medication Transparency Act.

The Mental Health in Aviation Act would modernize mental health guidance regulations for pilots and air traffic controllers to encourage early disclosure and treatment of mental health conditions, require an annual review of the FAA’s Special Issuance Medical Certification process, and provide $15m per year from FY2026 to FY2029 to the FAA’s Office of Aerospace Medicine to expand and train additional medical examiners and specialists to improve certification efficiency.

CAE implements industry-leading Competency-Based Training and Assessment (CBTA) principles in business aviation

CBTA-principles in business aviation recurrent training program set to enhance pilot readiness and safety worldwide.

CAE has announced the implementation of Competency-Based Training and Assessment (CBTA) principles in Business Aviation within its training programs, marking a significant advancement in pilot training and safety.

Recognized by leading global aviation regulators - including the FAA, EASA, UK CAA, and Transport Canada - CBTA introduces a data-driven, advanced training framework designed to meet the evolving demands of modern aviation.

CBTA is a structural evolution in aviation training, emphasizing demonstrated real-world competencies and practical decision-making, in addition to theoretical knowledge. CBTA is being adopted globally because it better prepares pilots for unpredictable and complex operational environments and is increasingly being encouraged or required by regulators.

Jet Luxe grows managed fleet in key US and LATAM markets

Jet Luxe, the Dubai-based private jet provider, has expanded its commercially managed fleet with new aircraft now positioned across Florida and major Latin American hubs.

The additional capacity strengthens the company’s ability to support brokers, operators, and corporate travelers across the United States, Mexico, the Caribbean, and surrounding international markets.

Samuel Madrid.

Executive Vice President Samuel Madrid said the expansion reinforces the company’s operational approach and its long-term focus on dependable charter availability.

“Jet Luxe was built on the principles of excellence, service, and reliability,” he said. “This fleet expansion strengthens our presence in key markets and enhances our ability to support brokers who count on consistent, safe, and impeccably delivered services.”

A fleet tailored for today’s charter ecosystem

Sky Harbour announces new hangar campus development at DeKalb-Peachtree Atlanta

Sky Harbour Group, an airport infrastructure company building a national network of Home Base Operator (HBO) campuses for business aircraft, announced that the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners has approved a ground lease for a new Sky Harbour HBO campus at DeKalb-Peachtree Airport (PDK), serving DeKalb County and the Atlanta metropolitan area.

The proposed Sky Harbour campus - the company's twentieth - will offer 'the best home base in business aviation' to house Atlanta’s top corporate and private business jets in state-of-the art hangars, with line services dedicated exclusively to based tenants, offering 'the shortest time to wheels-up in business aviation'.

The development, on approximately 13 acres, is expected to create or sustain hundreds of local jobs and generate meaningful economic benefits for DeKalb County. The facility will include hangar space to house late-model business aircraft of various sizes, with adjacent office space, operational infrastructure, generous ramp, and automobile parking.

Wichita, Kansas:

Textron to end Beechcraft Bonanza and Baron production

Textron Aviation has announced it will end production of its iconic Beechcraft Bonanza G36 and Baron G58 models once it fulfills its remaining orders.

This marks the close of nearly eighty years of continuous manufacturing for these legendary piston-engine aircraft.

Despite their storied past - more than 18,000 Bonanzas and over 6,000 Barons have been delivered worldwide - sales have dwindled in recent years. In 2024, Textron delivered just five Bonanzas and two Barons, while only four Bonanzas and two Barons were delivered in the first half of 2025.

Beechcraft Bonanza

Textron says the move is part of a broader strategic shift: it wants to focus investment on newer aircraft, particularly the single-engine turboprop Beechcraft Denali, which is seen as the future of its piston-line strategy.

Although production is ending, Textron has committed to continuing spare-parts support and engineering services for the large existing fleet of Bonanzas and Barons.

Fort Lauderdale, Florida:

Sheltair Aviation founder Jerry Holland passes away at 90

Sheltair Aviation has announced the passing of its founder and Chairman, Jerry Holland. He died peacefully at home, surrounded by loved ones, on November 18th at the age of 90.

A trailblazing businessman, Jerry grew Sheltair Aviation from a single FBO in Florida to an award-winning company spanning nearly five million square feet of real estate, 16 locations across four states, and employing 500 team members.

Jerry Holland.

Holland’s professional journey began in 1963 with the launch of his construction business.

In 1983, his career took a transformative turn when he purchased his first set of hangars at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport from a friend. That move marked the beginning of a new chapter - one that would reshape the landscape of private aviation.

Mohammad Alqahtani

Leading aircraft charter specialist, Air Charter Service, has appointed Mohammad Alqahtani to its Private Jet team in the company’s new Riyadh office.

Elie Hanna, ACS Middle East CEO, commented: “Mohammad brings with him a wealth of experience in the Saudi private aviation market, having worked for more than 15 years in the field - his expertise will really enhance our team in the new office.

“Our Private Jets team in Riyadh has got off to an amazing start since officially opening in September, and Mohammad’s experience will help the office grow to its full potential. We have longstanding private jet clients in the Kingdom who, until earlier this year, had been looked after by our Dubai team, but the new office here is already making a difference.”

Mohammad added: “This is a very exciting time at Air Charter Service and I can’t wait to start working with the team here and help to grow our market share in the Kingdom. Moving forward we are looking to further strengthen current partnerships and forge new relationships in the country.”

WINGX Global Market Tracker:

US poised for record Thanksgiving bizjet activity

The United States is poised for robust business jet activity during Thanksgiving week 2025 (24-30 Nov), with projections indicating approximately 48,000 business jet flights.

Historical patterns show consistent 3% year-over-year growth during Thanksgiving week, with 2024 recording nearly 47,000 flights, 2023 tallying approximately 45,000, and 2022 reaching more than 44,000.

Busiest US city flows Thanksgiving 2024.

Following this trend, the projected 48,000 flights would slightly trail the typical 50,000 weekly flights the US has averaged throughout 2025, reflecting the traditional holiday pattern where business aviation activity moderates as travelers prioritize family time over business commitments.

full report

Sharjah, United Arab Emirates:

Gama Aviation’s new Sharjah Business Aviation Centre close to completion

By Alison Chambers in Sharjah.

“We’ve never been one to follow the herd,” said Tom Murphy, Managing Director FBO Services at Gama Aviation, taking the opportunity of the Dubai Air Show to give international media a sneak preview of its impressive new business aviation facility at Sharjah - on track to complete and open on 15th January, 2026.

He sees this significant project, representing an investment of US$65m, the biggest in Gama Aviation’s 42-year history - as ‘future proofing’ access to downtown Dubai from its home in the northern Emirates.

Its new Business Aviation Centre is strategically located as a ‘bridge,’ the state-of-the-art facility designed to bypass the congestion of more traditional hubs with fast road connections to downtown Dubai and the International Financial Centre (DIFC).

Drowning, driving or leaking, how is the flood of data shaping your business?

The concept of data, its sources, applications, and reliability, is constantly transforming and being redefined.

From a trickle of manageable facts and relevant figures, it has become a flood of information that needs to be validated, analysed, controlled, and protected, if it is to drive, not drown, a business.

Accurate data is essential for effective management of business aviation operations throughout the charter trip lifecycle. It is also an invaluable tool that can predict and augment wider commercial activity.

The corollary to this is that a deluge of data can overwhelm and, more importantly, when inappropriately managed, enable cyber vulnerabilities. With the tsunami of data inundating today’s commercial landscape, cyber vigilance is essential, risk management is vital, and implementing cyber protocols is crucial.

click to visit DaVINCI Training Institute

Cologne, Germany:

Bell 505 achieves over 700 flight hours with blended SAF

Bell Textron announced during European Rotors 2025 that a single, dedicated Bell 505, has surpassed 700 flight hours using blended sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), a key milestone that showcases Bell’s commitment to SAF usage and builds on its sustainability practices in its flight operations.

In March 2022, Bell announced its collaboration with Safran Helicopter Engines to explore technical performance and economic impacts of sustainable aviation fuel on the Bell 505 powered by the Arrius 2R engine.

Nearly one year after the announcement, the Bell 505 became the first-ever single engine helicopter to fly with 100% SAF during a demonstration flight.

Britten-Norman and World Mobile Stratospheric partner to demonstrate airborne 5G connectivity

World Mobile Stratospheric (WMS) has announced a collaboration with Britten-Norman to demonstrate a pioneering airborne 5G communication system using a BN2T-4S Islander aircraft.

The partnership marks the first major milestone in WMS’s mission to extend next-generation connectivity from the skies.

WMS, a joint venture between World Mobile Group and Indonesia’s leading digital infrastructure company Protelindo, is developing a stratospheric connectivity platform designed to provide affordable and resilient communications worldwide.

DC Aviation Al-Futtaim expands charter fleet with addition of Gulfstream G650

DC Aviation Al-Futtaim (DCAF) has announced the addition of a Gulfstream G650 to its expanding charter fleet.

The inclusion of the G650 - one of the most sought-after ultra-long-range business jets in the world - reflects DCAF’s continued commitment to offering clients high-performance aircraft that combine speed, comfort and global reach.

DCAF has also expanded its managed fleet with the addition of a Bombardier Challenger 650. The charter fleet expansion comes at a time of significant growth in the Middle East’s business aviation sector.

Embraer delivers 1,700th Ipanema cropduster

Embraer has celebrated the delivery of the 1,700th Ipanema cropduster. The aircraft, in the current EMB-203 version, is a sales leader with approximately 60% market share and will be used for spraying various crops by a customer in the city of Imperatriz, Maranhão.

Embraer delivers 1,700th Ipanema cropduster

With more than 180 units sold in the last three years, the aircraft continues to be preferred by rural producers and offers a wide range of equipment aimed at boosting productivity and precision with sustainability. With an efficiency equivalent to four large ground sprayers operating simultaneously, the ethanol-powered aircraft sprays more than 200 hectares per hour, delivering a high-quality application without kneading the soil or spreading pests by contact, generating a result for the field of up to 15 bags more per hectare.

Luxembourg:

Luxaviation ONE launches Cargo Charter Department

Luxaviation ONE, part of the Luxaviation Group, has announced the launch of its Cargo Charter Department, further expanding the Group’s service portfolio with bespoke solutions for complex, timecritical, and specialized freight requirements.

The new department delivers expertise across urgent deliveries, humanitarian aid, heavy and outsized cargo, AOG and aircraft parts, dangerous goods, pharmaceutical and medical supplies, oil and gas equipment, high-value commodities, and even live animal transport.

Clients benefit from end-to-end mission management, including landing and overflight permissions, cargo and passenger handling, loading supervision, cargo inspections, and full operational oversight.

Patrick Hansen, CEO of Luxaviation Group, says: “The launch of our Cargo Charter Department represents an important milestone in our strategic development and further strengthens the Group’s position in the global charter market. It reinforces our commitment to offering a broader range of bespoke solutions, ensuring the highest safety standards and giving our clients complete peace of mind.”

Clearing the air: new Met Office service to cut aviation disruption from volcanic ash

Fifteen years ago, the eruption of the Eyjafjallajökull volcano on Iceland closed large amounts of airspace across Europe, disrupting flights and leading to widespread cancellations and delays.

A new volcanic ash forecasting provision launched today (27th November) could halve the disruption and keep airspace open in the event of a similar eruption to the one in 2010.

The 2010 eruption demonstrated that ash produced by volcanic eruptions posed the one of the greatest single short-term threats to air travel.

Volcanic ash encounters can cause significant problems to aircraft and if high concentrations of ash enters jet engines it can stop or severely damage them, as well as causing a range of other issues with the aircraft. At lower concentrations flights may operate through ash (if certified by their engine manufacturer, and if authorised by their CAA).

Ash forecast data provided by the Met Office - in its role as the London Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC) - assists airlines with the decision-making process for where they can safely operate and reduces the amount of North Atlantic and European airspace that must be avoided.

Bell secures six new corporate aircraft orders in Europe

Bell Textron announced during European Rotors 2025 that it recently secured six aircraft orders for a mix of Bell 505s, Bell 407GXis, and Bell 429s in the corporate segment, bringing its year-to-date corporate sales in Europe to seventeen aircraft.

The orders were placed by customers in Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and Poland, underscoring the growing demand for Bell’s aerial solutions across the European market.

Bell secures six new corporate aircraft orders in Europe

“Bell is thrilled to celebrate yet another win in the corporate and VIP segment during this year’s European Rotors,” said Robin Wendling, managing director of Europe, Bell. “We have noted a steady demand for our models in Europe, especially for the Bell 505, Bell 407, and Bell 429. These vertical lift solutions provide our customers with the mission versatility needed for the diverse landscapes in the region.”

The Bell 505, Bell 407, and Bell 429 are designed to meet the distinct needs of corporate transport operators, offering reliability, performance, and innovative features tailored to specific missions.

“We are looking forward to welcoming new and returning customers seeking advanced mobility in region to our world-class Bell family,” added Wendling.

Dubai Airshow:

above™ set to bolster UK and near Europe connectivity

Reintroducing the Embraer Phenom 100 light jet.

A new name in business air charter, Fly Above Group, trading as above™ is preparing to reprise on-demand air links all over the UK and near Europe with the industry’s best-selling light business jet.

above™ has finalised the purchase of Bournemouth-based Alto Aerospace Ltd to secure its Class Type B Air Operator’s Certificate, upon which a new brand will be launched. Simultaneously, it has concluded the purchase of an Embraer Phenom 100 (MSN 50000132) from Germany.

Subject to UK Civil Aviation Authority licence approval, it will commence flights with the Phenom early next year, based out of Birmingham Airport. The aircraft offers a generous cabin with four seats in a 2x2 Club configuration.

The Phenom will be based out of the XLR Executive Jet Services’ private terminal (FBO), operating as a floating aircraft.

Bold new aircraft display and layout signal fresh era for EBACE26

The European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) is announcing a reimagined static display for EBACE26, set in a new dedicated location at Geneva Airport and designed to deliver the most secure, flexible and customer-focussed aircraft showcase in the event’s history.

The reconfigured 40,000 sqm display area includes both airside and landside access, enabling tighter control over entry points and significantly enhancing overall security. It also allows VIP guests to directly enter the static display area without going via the convention centre first.

Additionally, for the first time at EBACE, outdoor display exhibitors will also have the option to host clients in bespoke hospitality structures, allowing them to create tailored brand experiences directly on the display.

Stefan Benz, CEO, EBAA says, “EBACE26 marks a decisive step forward for the show. By relocating the static display to a dedicated site at Geneva Airport, we are giving exhibitors the freedom to build the kind of premium, private environment they need for their customers.

“The new layout will deliver the most secure perimeters ever implemented at an EBACE static display, with controlled entry points, clear zoning and improved visitor flow, reflecting everything exhibitors have told us they want.”

San Marino Aviation Rendezvous 2026

Dubai 14-16 April 2026

The San Marino Aviation Rendezvous will bring together aircraft owners, operators, and aviation professionals for focused discussions on aviation law, aircraft registration, and regulatory developments.

Organised by the San Marino Aircraft Registry, the Rendezvous has become a must-attend forum for anyone involved in aircraft ownership and operation.

Full details and Registration

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Air Charter Service breaks its longest flight record twice in a week

Last month, leading aircraft charter specialist, Air Charter Service, broke its record for the longest flight in the company’s history, then six days later, broke it again.

Matthew Purton, Group Aviation Services Director, commented: “We arranged two charters for the same client, in the space of a week, that both broke our longest ever flight record. The first was from Dallas Fort Worth to Sydney on an Airbus A380, taking off late Monday night Texas local time, and arriving late morning on Wednesday, Australian time, covering 8,578 miles (13,804 km). Incredibly the aircraft crossed the International Date Line three times – due to the ‘kink’ in the boundary near Kiribati. This only just beat our previous record of 8,448 miles (13,596 km) on an A350-900 from Doha, Qatar to Monterrey, Mexico in 2021.

Air Charter Service breaks its longest flight record twice in a week

“After less than two hours in Sydney the same passengers travelled on to Perth on the aircraft. The following week we bettered that new record when an ACS-chartered B-787-9 Dreamliner flew them directly from Perth to Los Angeles, on a flight that lasted almost 17 hours, and covered 9,318 miles (14,997km), close to two fifths of the world’s circumference. The aircraft took off from Perth at 2:30am local Australian time and landed at 4:10am local Californian time on the same day.

“The distance of the charter would place it in the top three longest scheduled service routes that are currently operating, only beaten by two Singapore Airlines routes, Newark and JFK to Singapore.”

A video explaining crossing the International Date Line three times can be found here