Buisness aviation news
Bombardier announced the development of its new service facility at Al Bateen Executive Airport in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), further extending its industry-leading maintenance, repair and overhaul capabilities around the world. This new facility represents a strong partnership with Abu Dhabi Airports, leveraging their expertise and commitment to aviation excellence. The new facility, which will relocate from its originally announced location at the Abu Dhabi International Airport in 2022, further reinforces Bombardier’s commitment to serving its customers in this key market. The new location at the dynamic Al Bateen Executive Airport more effectively aligns with the needs of Bombardier customers.
Liberation Day and the associated enactment of global tariffs on imports into the US triggered market turmoil and expectations of a recession, but so far only a ripple in terms of declining flight activity, most notable in Florida. An uptick in transatlantic corporate flight department travel may have been linked to tariff policy changes. We shall have to wait to see impact in Europe as this week was affected by comparison with Easter holidays last year.
Comlux, one of the leaders in private aviation industry, has signed a 3-year endorsement agreement with Romain Grosjean, a Swiss racing driver who competes in the IMSA SportsCar Championship for Lamborghini and serves as a reserve driver in the IndyCar Series for Prema.
Bombardier announced that its Global 8000 business jet program is progressing to plan, with its first Global 8000 production aircraft continuing in the assembly phase in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), Canada. Major components from Bombardier facilities were delivered per plan and the aircraft is progressing through the high-tech manufacturing process toward planned entry-into-service (EIS) in 2025.
Textron Aviation is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Cessna Caravan single-engine utility turboprop with customers throughout the year, recognizing its growth and popularity throughout the world during the past four decades.
OPUL Jets UK Ltd has announced its acquisition of Zenith Aviation, a espected UK-based operator headquartered at London Biggin Hill Airport.
Liberation Day does not yet appear to have made a dent in demand for bizjet travel, although the concerns raised around the economic impact of a global trade war are likely to slow the market in subsequent quarters. For Q1 2025, modest gains in Year-on-Year bizjet activity is an improvement on last year and underlines the enduring resilience of the US market, as well as strong emerging markets in the Middle East and Asia.
Rolls-Royce has certified ExecuJet MRO Services Malaysia as a hub for the provision of maintenance services for Rolls-Royce BR710A2-20 engines that power the Bombardier Global Express aircraft series.
Epic Aircraft announced the launch of its latest high-performance, single-engine, turbine model, the E1000 AX. Delivering the same unparalleled performance as its predecessor and category-leading E1000 GX, the E1000 AX is making its public debut April 1 to 6 at Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo in Lakeland, Florida. This next-generation aircraft offers over 25 new features, including Garmin Autothrottle and Autoland.
Jet Aviation announced that it has redelivered its quietest narrow-body completion to date, with sound levels below 40 dB SIL. The elegant contemporary interior was designed by the Jet Aviation Design Studio, and engineered, produced, installed, and certified in-house at the completion center in Basel, Switzerland.
Tecnam is proud to announce that FLN FRISIA-Luftverkehr GmbH Norddeich (Inselflieger) has taken delivery of a Tecnam P2012 STOL, reinforcing its commitment to enhancing regional air connectivity to the East Frisian Islands.
Voluxis, the charter operator and aircraft management company, has added a Global 7500, based in Dubai, as it continues its Middle Eastern expansion.
Jet Aviation announced that its online staffing portal, Jet Aviation Staffing Marketplace, is now integrated with flight planning software, Avianis. The integration enables Avianis users to use one single platform for all their recruiting needs.
So far this year business jet activity is robust, with 3% gains on comparable last year, well ahead of pre-pandemic 6 years ago (+35%). As we reach the 5-year anniversary of the initial Coronavirus lockdowns, bizjet activity in Week 12 this year is almost twice as high as Week 12 in 2020. In Europe bizjet activity has stalled this year, departures just 1% ahead of pre-pandemic 2019, the market in Germany appearing particularly weak.
Bombardier is pleased to announce it has added a new Line Maintenance Station (LMS) in Perth, Australia, further complementing its customer service footprint in the region and expanding its network of certified aircraft technicians. The company is also planning to open a second Line Maintenance Station in Sydney, Australia, later this year.
ExecuJet MRO Services South Africa, a wholly owned subsidiary of Dassault Aviation, has recently completed a 2C heavy maintenance check on a Dassault Falcon 900EX that included additional work, such as removing and reinstalling the wing’s outermost surface and modifying the wing’s dry bay.
Global business jet activity rebounded after last week’s relapse, with flight demand in the US belying broader economic concerns, bizjet departures up almost 20% in Texas compared to last year. This week’s bizjet activity is up by 28% in the US and 3% in Europe compared to the same week in 2020 when lockdowns started to be imposed.