Buisness aviation news

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.

Week 27 2024 almost exactly matched Week 27 2023, with variable geographic trends, the US seeing a bump up, in contrast to declines in June, and was especially strong in Part 135 and 91K operations, most notably in Texas. Europe saw a 3% slide, mainly in private and corporate activity. Germany and the UK are seeing stronger YOY activity, tied directly to the draw of major sporting events.

Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. marks 100 days since the all-new Gulfstream G700 received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) type certification on March 29 and subsequently entered into service. Additional certifications, steadily increasing flight hours and deliveries around the world along with continued city-pair speed records demonstrate unparalleled program maturity for the G700.

Pilatus and Synhelion are about to launch a strategic cooperation aimed at accelerating the scaling of solar fuels for the aviation industry. Pilatus intends to use Synhelion’s solar fuels for its own operations and also offer them to its own customers in the medium-term. With that in mind, Pilatus has become a shareholder in Synhelion, underpinning its commitment to proactive defossilization of air traffic.

The new sanctions package approved by the European Union on June 24 for the first time specifically targets Russia’s business aviation sector, but the industry seems to have adapted to the wartime restrictions since 2022.

Airbus Helicopters officially opened its new logistics hub at Albacete, Spain, on Tuesday (2nd July) which is equipped and operated by Daher as the lead logistics partner.

The first half of 2024 shows bizjet utilisation tapering slightly on 2023 but still well up on 2019. The US market is just 1% weaker than last year, with Florida, super midsize jets, and Fractional ops looking robust. European bizjet demand is strengthening this summer, notably in Germany. The Middle East is seeing weaker bizjet usage this year, especially in Saudi.

The Finnish company, Helsinki Citycopter, has been offering helicopters for charter flights for many years and has now added a CJ4 to its fleet at the beginning of 2024.

Air Seychelles is proud to announce its partnership with ExecuJet, a leading global business aviation company, to provide exclusive VIP Fixed-Base Operator (FBO) services in the Seychelles. The Air Seychelles owned FBO is the only full service FBO on the island, offering unparalleled services to meet the needs of discerning travellers.