Buisness aviation news

Textron Aviation has announced a special edition 60th anniversary option for the iconic Beechcraft King Air 260 and 360 turboprops to celebrate the aircraft’s proud history of being the best-selling business turboprop family in the world.

Vertical Aerospace, a global aerospace and technology company pioneering zero-emissions aviation, has seen its latest VX4 prototype perform its first tethered piloted flight as it begins the “wheels up” phase of testing.

International Aircraft Dealers Association (IADA) members reported a balanced market for preowned business aircraft in the second quarter of 2024. Sales are steady and values of late model aircraft remain strong, according to IADA’s Second Quarter 2024 Market Report.

Cirrus, the world’s best-selling high-performance single-engine piston aircraft manufacturer, revealed a one-of-a-kind, Limited-Edition SR Series aircraft to commemorate 10,000 SR Series deliveries.

Spectrum Aeromed, designer and manufacturer of air ambulance solutions and medical interiors, announces the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) approval for the installation of ambulance modules and cabinetry in the Daher Kodiak 100 aircraft.

JEKTA, the Switzerland-based developer of the PHA-ZE 100 amphibious aircraft, today announced that is has selected ZeroAvia’s fuel cell power generation system (PGS) technology to demonstrate the concept of a fuel cell variant of its electric amphibious flying boat design, with a view to line-fit of the system as the PHA-ZE 100 variant comes to market.  

Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company, announced at Farnborough 2024 the delivery of the 500th Bell 429 aircraft. The aircraft was delivered to Latin-America based operator, Mendes Group, and will be used for corporate transportation in Brazil.

Bombardier is pleased to announce that it has added a new line maintenance station in Farnborough, UK further complementing its customer service footprint in Europe. The introduction of the new option builds on the turnkey, OEM service Bombardier customers receive in the region.

Saudia Group and Lilium N.V. (NASDAQ: LILM), a leading electric aircraft manufacturer and pioneer in Regional Air Mobility (RAM), today signed a binding sales agreement for 50 Lilium Jets, with options for the purchase of 50 more. The signature ceremony was held at Lilium’s HQ in Gauting near Munich. The contract was signed by Fahd Al-Jarbou, CEO of Saudia Private, representing Saudia Group, and Lilium's CEO Klaus Roewe, in the presence of several distinguished guests including; Michael Kindsgrab, the German Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; H.E. Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar, Director General of Saudia Group; and Lilium Chairman Tom Enders.

Diamond Aircraft has recently signed a significant contract for the supply of three DA62 MPP aerial surveillance aircraft for the Greek Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection. These aircraft will be used for firefighting and search and rescue operations as air operations centres and for aerial surveillance, using up to date electro-optical systems, a cell phone localisation system and various datalinks, enhancing Greece's capability to manage and respond to emergencies efficiently.

EASA has published the final version of the Environmental Protection Technical Specifications (EPTS) for Vertical Take-Off and Landing-capable aircraft (VCA) follows the public consultation phase initiated in December 2023. These EPTS are applicable to VCA with tilting rotors, such as the Lilium Jet. The responses to all the comments received during the public consultation are published along the EPTS.

Honeywell has selected Gama Aviation Engineering as an authorized channel partner to expand its aviation service network in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region and to enhance service accessibility for business and general aviation operators.

In Week 28 (8th – 14th July), total global business jet departures were down 2% compared to Week 28 in 2023, equal to the last 4-week trend of 2% decline. Global Part135 & 91K activity on par with W28 in 2023, the 4-week trend 1% ahead of last year. So far this year the global bizjet fleet has flown just under 3.2 million flight hours, 2% fewer than last year. Across the 15,600 active operators there have 25,000 active business jets flying from January 1st through to July 14th. The global bizjet fleet has had a fair start to July, departures flown just -0.5% behind comparable July last year.

Bombardier is excited to announce the presence of the Challenger 3500 aircraft mockup at the private terminal of the Costa Smeralda Airport in Olbia, Italy. Throughout the summer, business aviation clients will have a firsthand opportunity to experience the award-winning cabin and see the revolutionary seating of the super midsize jet.

Memorial Hermann Life Flight has placed orders for one H160 and four H145s to replace its current fleet of EC145 helicopters. The nationally recognised emergency medical services program will be the first in the world to operate the H160 for helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS).

Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. announced the official opening of its expanded Customer Support service center at Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport. Savannah Service Center East has added more than 200 new jobs and significantly expands Gulfstream’s maintenance, repair and overhaul facility capabilities in the region.  

Textron Aviation today announced the delivery of the first Cessna SkyCourier twin-engine utility turboprop equipped with a Combi interior conversion option. The aircraft was delivered to Everts Air, an Alaskan-based Part 135 operator serving passenger, cargo and charter needs throughout Alaska. Everts also operates Part 121, providing cargo and on-demand charter throughout North, Central and South America, as well as the Caribbean Islands.