Your essential weekly digest of International Business and Private Aviation Industry news
 Wichita, Kansas:Cessna Citation CJ3 Gen2 enters into serviceThe Cessna Citation CJ3 Gen2 has entered into service, setting a new standard for the Citation Gen2 family. Launch customers and longtime Citation owners Dave Mecartney and Shannon Day took delivery of their new aircraft this week. Mecartney - an experienced aviator with nearly two decades flying Citation light jets and a member of Textron Aviation’s Customer Advisory Board - helped shape the enhancements that elevate the CJ3 Gen2 experience.
Key upgrades include Garmin autothrottle technology, added pilot legroom and a fully customizable cabin environment, all driven by customer feedback. “The Citation CJ3 Gen2 delivers an unmatched experience from day one - thanks to its exceptional range, payload and efficiency, combined with new productivity and comfort features,” said Lannie O’Bannion, senior vice president, Sales & Marketing. “Customers like Shannon and Dave will undoubtedly appreciate this aircraft, our most comprehensive Gen2 investment to date.”
Dayton, Ohio:Joby to expand manufacturing footprint with acquisition of second Ohio facility700,000 square-foot facility marks major step towards doubling aircraft production in 2027.Joby Aviation has signed an agreement to acquire a manufacturing facility in the Dayton, Ohio area spanning more than 700,000 square feet. The facility, which is ready for immediate use, will initially support Joby’s plans to double production to four aircraft per month in 2027, while also providing space for significant future growth. The factory complements Joby’s existing production facilities in California and Ohio, with operations in the new facility expected to begin this year.
“This site will not only support our near-term plan to double production, it can also serve as a base for significant future growth, as we turn a decade of engineering into the manufacturing scale the market is now demanding,” said JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO, Joby Aviation. “From the world’s first aircraft factory to the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton has long been the epicenter of aerospace innovation and we’re proud to be building the next generation of flight right here,” Bevirt added. “The reindustrialization of Ohio has become central to Joby’s story and with unmatched governmental and policy support, we’re ready to make sure that the commercial and defense aircraft that define the future of flight are built right here in America.” |
After a drop-off in January 2026 YOY trends, global bizjet are picking up the pace in Week 2 (5-11 Jan), flights up 9% compared to Week 2 2025, representing a gain of approximately 5,600 bizjet departures.On a rolling last four-week basis (W51 ‘25-W02 ‘26), global business jet departures are up 4% compared to the same period last year, in line with the trends for the full year 2025 vs 2024. Through the first 11 days of January, business jet activity has set a new record for the strongest start to any year WINGX has tracked.Highlight of the Week: Google relocation signals broader California exodus Google announced this week a major corporate restructuring that will relocate significant business entities and assets out of California, marking the latest high-profile departure from the state. The tech giant joins a growing list of companies reevaluating their California presence amid concerns over regulatory environment, tax policies, and operating costs. This corporate migration appears reflected in business aviation data, with California business jet activity showing -2% compared to the first 11 days of 2025.
Europe::FAA grounds around 800 SACI-registered aircraft after ruling registrations invalidExpected to hit GA communities across the UK and continental Europe.Around 800 aircraft registered with the US Federal Aviation Administration under trustee Southern Aircraft Consultancy Inc. (SACI) have been grounded after the agency ruled their registrations are no longer valid. In a notice issued on Tuesday (14th January), the FAA said all aircraft registration certificates held by SACI are invalid with immediate effect because the company violated US citizenship requirements when it submitted registration applications. The decision affects a wide range of aircraft, including turboprops, business jets and turbine helicopters, and is expected to cause major disruption for owners and operators in the United States and overseas. SACI specialises in registering aircraft for US citizens and foreign nationals using trust agreements, a structure often used by non-US owners seeking access to the US 'N' register. The FAA said that to register an aircraft through a trust agreement, the trustee must either be a US citizen or a resident alien.
Costa Rica:Signature to open private aviation terminal at Costa Rica’s Guanacaste AirportSignature Aviation has announced the expansion of its global reach with the planned construction and operation of essential support and hospitality services for a new General & Business Aviation Terminal (G&BAT) at Guanacaste Airport (LIR) in Liberia, Costa Rica.
The announcement marks a significant step in the company’s growth in Latin America and greatly enhances the professionalism and ground handling experience for private aviation flyers visiting this vibrant country. The new Guanacaste Airport G&BAT terminal will feature a modern architectural design and a luxurious terminal that enhances the natural beauty of Costa Rica within its infrastructure. Its facilities will include full premium amenities and sustainable design elements.
Savannah, Georgia:G500 and G600 secure EASA steep-approach certificationGulfstream has announced that the G500 and G600 have received certification for steep approach landing by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), allowing operators even greater fleet flexibility by giving them access to more remote airports and destinations around the world.
The G500 and G600 received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) steep-approach certification in 2023 and 2024, respectively. To earn the FAA and EASA certifications, both aircraft successfully demonstrated steep-approach capabilities with low-speed handling and short-field landings at London City Airport in England and Lugano Airport in Switzerland. Today, there are more than 350 G500 and G600 aircraft in service around the world. The fleet has amassed a combined total of more than 350,000 hours, 173,000 landings and over 120 city-pair speed records. 
Vilnius, Lithuania:From concept to certified reality: Inside aviation interior design and productionAircraft modifications may look simple from the outside, but every interior upgrade or structural change follows a tightly controlled, highly regulated process. Engineering, compliance, and production work closely together to turn designs into certified, airworthy solutions.
Donaldas Barkauskas, Head of Design & Production, and Pavel Olenskij, Head of Airworthiness at FL Technics, oversee how their Design Organisation Approval (DOA) and Production Organisation Approval (POA) teams manage these processes. How design and production work together
Wichita, Kansas:Prent Corporation named 'Dove 1' for 2026 Special Olympics Airlift arrivalsGlobal designer and manufacturer of medical packaging solutions, Prent Corporation, will serve as 'Dove 1' for Textron Aviation's 2026 Special Olympics Airlift arrivals Marking the very first aircraft to land at St. Paul Downtown Airport Holman Field on Friday, June 19th, this historic arrival will officially launch the nationwide mission to transport athletes and coaches to the Special Olympics USA Games in Minnesota’s Twin Cities.
As the first arrival Dove, Prent Corporation will be the first to fly Special Olympics athletes and coaches to the Games, setting the tone for hundreds of volunteer pilots and aircraft owners who will follow. The designation symbolizes leadership and a deep commitment to lifting champions to new heights.
Bermuda:Atlantic Aviation adds Bermuda with acquisition of Cedar Aviation ServicesAtlantic Aviation has expanded its global network with the acquisition of Cedar Aviation Services Ltd at L.F. Wade International Airport (BDA) in Bermuda.
Well known among operators visiting the island for its highly personalized service and long-tenured team, Cedar Aviation has built a reputation for exceptional care and hospitality. While the location will transition to the Atlantic Aviation name in the coming months, customers can continue to expect the same outstanding service and attention to detail they have long received.Atlantic Aviation’s Bermuda FBO features a 6,440-square-foot executive terminal and nearly 700,000 square feet of ramp space.
Abu Dhabi, UAE:Edése Doret secures third design contract from RoyalJet for three ACJ320neosEdése Doret Industrial Design, Inc.(EDID), a global leader in luxury aviation and yacht design, has been awarded the design contract by RoyalJet, the Abu Dhabi-based global premium private jet operator, for the interiors of three Airbus Corporate Jet ACJ320neo aircraft. The prestigious commission marks the third project collaboration between EDID and RoyalJet, underscoring a trusted partnership built on innovation, craftsmanship, and a shared commitment to excellence in private aviation.
“We are honoured to continue our relationship with RoyalJet, one of the world’s premier luxury operator,” said Edése Doret, Founder and President of Edése Doret Industrial Design, Inc. “Our vision for these new ACJ320neo aircraft is to deliver an unparalleled elevated passenger experience that reflects the essence of Emirati identity of timeless, elegant, sophisticated modernity which is perfectly tailored to RoyalJet’s elite clientele.”
AERO SpotlightIn the first episode of AERO Spotlight Sessions, Liz 'Lady in Red' Moscrop and Show Director Tobias Bretzel discuss AERO Friedrichshafen 2026.
Liz shares her view on why AERO feels like a European Oshkosh and discusses new travel options - including domestic flights within Germany, charter flights from the UK, a dedicated housing agency, and direct shuttle services to the venue.
Connectivity solutions for business aviation invariably involve discussions about networks; after all, without the satellite networks, there would be limited options for staying in touch with colleagues, family, and friends. The value and faith we place in these networks to support connectivity is immense. Owners and operators using the cabin broadband expect it to work. They want to do what they need, whether it’s reading the latest news, tracking their company’s stock, or streaming the newest box-office releases, when they want, without issue.
Gogo Network Operations Center. At Gogo, we have another network that we value just as much as the satellite networks. This is our ever-expanding dealer and MRO network. |
 London:Inside the 2026 charter market: ACC Aviation publishes new in-depth analysisACC Aviation, a major provider of ACMI, Charter and Consulting services, has released a Charter Trends Report for 2026. “Our experts have closely analysed new regulatory mandates, regional specificities, and shifting customer behaviour, and identified their impact on pricing and demand,” says Charlie Wilcox, Director of Charter.  Charlie Wilcox, Director of Charter. The private aviation sector enters 2026 with considerable momentum. Continued confidence in the value of on-demand air travel is signalled by the global business jet activity in 2025, in which 3.9 million flights were recorded between January and August alone. However, the new year will welcome new challenges which will reshape the operating environment. In Europe, new levies taking effect will have the largest impact on budget and planning in 2026. France’s “solidarity tax” introduced in March 2025 will charge from €210 to €2,100 per passenger, depending on aircraft and distance; whilst the United Kingdom will increase Air Passenger Duty (APD) on private flights from 1 April 2026, adding over £1,000 per passenger for long-haul and Band B flights. “Factoring these costs into trip budgets and routing through jurisdictions with lower levies will become an integral part of charter planning in 2026,” says Wilcox. |
SmartJets and VIP Completions reflect on a prosperous 2025
Twin companies distinguish themselves by offering comprehensive turnkey services spanning aircraft acquisition through refurbishment.
Fort Lauderdale's SmartJets, a leading business aircraft dealer-broker, and VIP Completions, providers of custom aircraft completions and refurbishment services, have announced a successful conclusion to 2025.
Last year, the SmartJets team sold and acquired 13 business aircraft on behalf of its clientele - including six Gulfstream G550 transactions. According to industry reports, this figure represents almost 8% (6/76) of all G550 transactions worldwide in calendar year 2025.
The comprehensive approach that both companies offer when working together is best exemplified by a Gulfstream G550 project unveiled in August. SmartJets brokered the acquisition of this aircraft and then VIP Completions refurbished, revitalized and completely transformed its interior.
In parallel, the VIP Completions team worked on 16 refurbishment projects, ranging from a Bombardier Challenger 300 to a Boeing 767.
“We had an excellent 2025 - our teams were busy and our hangars were full - the fourth quarter was particularly good as we worked hard to satisfy transactions for tax-driven buyers,” says Ben Shirazi, President, SmartJets and President, VIP Completions. “As a comparatively small company in a very competitive and fractured market, we have found success with our comprehensive approach from acquisition to refurbishment. Clients appreciate the peace of mind that comes with a unified team.”
“Additionally, we are proud to have participated in a significant percentage of all G550 deals. And with two current G550 listings, 2026 is off to a strong start," adds Ben Shirazi.
