Buisness aviation news
Textron Aviation today announced the continued advancement of the Cessna Citation Ascend program following the successful completion by the prototype aircraft of numerous certification tests and more than 350 flight test hours. The Citation Ascend business jet was unveiled during the 2023 European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE) and the aircraft is expected to enter into service in 2025.
Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. announced the award-winning Gulfstream G650 and G650ER surpassed 1 million flight hours. With more than 560 aircraft in service worldwide, the high-performing fleet continues to deliver on its reputation as one of the most iconic aircraft programs in business aviation.
Gulfstream Aerospace Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), announced the all-new Gulfstream G700 has received European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) type certification, following the aircraft’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) type certification on March 29.
Bizjet activity week 19 2024 is flat overall, with some significant regional divergence, noting significant weakness in Germany, Middle East, Africa and Asia, but strength in Texas, Switzerland and Brazil.
Leading aircraft management business AXIS Aviation is launching in South Africa, having successfully integrated the aircraft management, flight operations and charter business activities of Absolute Aviation.
Jekta, developer of the PHA-ZE 100 (Passenger Hydro Aircraft – Zero Emission 100) amphibious electric aircraft, has revealed the first interiors for its economy-class ‘Traveller’ and full-executive ‘Corporate’ cabin configurations for amphibious airframes.
Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, revealed its Aircraft Laboratory for Future Autonomy (ALFA) based on the Bell 429 commercial aircraft. Developed by Bell’s Advanced Programs team, ALFA is dedicated to performing flight maneuvers with an aircraft safety system and executing autonomous fly-by-wire flights. The fly-by-wire integration was a critical step in future development of autonomous controls for Bell’s commercial aircraft, an emerging technology that aims to reduce pilot workload and enhance safety.
EHang Holdings Limited (“EHang” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: EH), the world’s leading urban air mobility (“UAM”) technology platform company, announced that its pilotless electric vertical take-off and landing (“eVTOL”) aircraft EH216-S has set a new milestone with the successful completion of the first passenger-carrying demo flight in Abu Dhabi, marking the first of its kind in the United Arab Emirates (“UAE”) and Middle East. Additionally, the EH216-F (for high-rise firefighting) and EH216-L (for aerial logistics) demonstrated their debut flights in the UAE, showcasing a diverse range of UAM use scenarios of pilotless eVTOL aircraft.
Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. announced the clean-sheet, award-winning Gulfstream G600 has been certified for steep approach to landing by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), opening access to more airports around the world.
In the modern aviation market, personnel management is a rapidly developing field: approaches are changing, new search tools are appearing, and the functions of HR workers are transforming. Moreover, leading experts in the business aviation market are raising the problem of personnel and personnel management, along with the main brake on the market — supply chain disruption. This important challenge creates the need for conferences and summits all over the world, but local events are what produce the greatest effect and generate the right recommendations based on the economic and political characteristics of a particular region.
Business jet utilisation is fraying slightly on comparable 2023 flight volumes, which is itself some way below the post-pandemic peak. But the Super Mid and Ultra Long-Range fleet is racking up more activity than ever.
Bombardier announced that its long-valued client NetJets has been revealed as the previously confidential buyer of 12 Challenger 3500 aircraft. The firm transaction initially announced in December 2023 was valued at US$326.4 million based on list prices at the time of signing, but the landmark deal could be more than US$6 billion if all optional 232 Challenger 3500 jets are exercised over time.
The outlook for business jet activity is softening in Europe as utilisation levels fall below 2019 levels, notably in Germany and France. The US market is relatively resilient, especially for large fleet operators in the charter and fractional space.
Bombardier, the worldwide leader in business aviation, unveiled a new brand identity anchored by the evolution of the company’s logo. As Bombardier successfully moves forward as a company with a sole focus on designing, building and servicing the world’s best business jets, the new brand identity will reinforce and propel the company’s unique approach to its customers and stakeholders—putting people at the centre and instilling a one-of-a-kind sense of family.
Aero-Dienst GmbH, the Nuremberg-based full-service provider for business aviation and air ambulance services, has extended its ASC contract with Dassault for a further 3 years.
Airbus Helicopters’ Racer demonstrator, developed in the frame of the European Research Clean Sky 2 project, has performed its first flight, in Marignane. The aircraft flew for about 30 minutes, allowing the flight test team to check the overall behavior of the aircraft.
Compared to last year, April’s trends are stronger than March, with growth in most of the top markets. UK, France and Germany were exceptions in Europe, with the charter market notably weakening. Bizjet activity in the Middle East saw further erosion, markedly Saudi Arabia. In the US, large business jets are seeing strongest demand. US charter demand is tailing off this month, Part 135 flights down 6% in week 16.