Buisness aviation news

The 3% drop in flight activity during 2023 compared to 2022 was in line with expectations, representing the market reset which followed the frothy demand during the pandemic era. Demand has petered out in Europe, where the Ukraine war has compounded the effects of economic stagnation. In the US, 17% growth in bizjet traffic since 2019 represents 4% compound annual growth rate, not spectacular but much stronger than the anemic growth in bizjet demand in the previous decade.

Union Aviation proudly announces the prestigious addition of the Embraer Lineage 1000 to its esteemed fleet, marking a significant milestone that bolsters the company's total aircraft count to 12.

The history of creation of the first helicopter squadron of Zabrat airport goes back to the 60s of the last century. Since then, Azerbaijan has developed a stable and developing branch of small aviation, focused on training local professional personnel and operation of the latest aircraft. Over the years, with the direct support of the country's unforgettable Leader Heydar Aliyev, and later the current President of Azerbaijan Mr. Ilham Aliyev, the outdated models of the Republic's air fleet have been replaced by the latest developments of Western aviation giants such as Airbus, Sikorsky, Leonardo Helicopters.

New analysis of data held by WINGX, the leading provider of market intelligence on the business aviation industry, reveals a 27.1% decrease in global business aviation cargo departures between January 1, 2023 and November 22, 2023 compared with the same period in 2019, before the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.

EHang Holdings Limited (“EHang” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: EH), the world’s leading urban air mobility (“UAM”) technology platform company, announced that it is extending its operations to the United Arab Emirates (“UAE”). This expansion involves joining the Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industries (“SAVI”) Cluster in Abu Dhabi. Additionally, a long-term strategic partnership has been formed with Wings Logistics Hub, the passenger eVTOLs (smart mobility) and logistics tech subsidiary of Technology Holding Company (“THC”), being the technology arm of EIH Ethmar International Holding. The aim of this partnership is to collaboratively advance the development of urban air transportation and smart city management in the UAE and the Middle East and North Africa (“MENA”) region.

Founded in 1965, Epps Aviation has been an Authorized Pilatus Sales and Service Center since 1996. Pilatus will assume responsibility for aircraft sales within this territory, and, after the deal closes, will incorporate the Pilatus maintenance operations (MRO) from 2024 and manage them independently from thereon. The Pilatus Service Center operation will continue to operate through Epps until the deal closes. The workforce of around 40 employees will join the Pilatus Group.

Bombardier announced that the company has received a firm order for 12 Challenger 3500 aircraft. The transaction for the firm order is valued at US$326.4 million based on list prices. The customer has chosen the super-midsize market leader for its outstanding performance, refined cabin and sustainably minded features.

GlobeAir announces an expansion to its partnerships with the addition of The Bicester Collection, a family of 11 luxury open-air shopping destinations across Europe and China – all located an hour or less from some of the world’s most celebrated cities.

Bombardier announced that long-time client Arkasair has added a Challenger 3500 business jet to its VIP Air Taxi and charter fleet, becoming the first customer of a Challenger 3500 aircraft in Turkey. The company has a longstanding affinity with Bombardier aircraft, having operated a Learjet 60, Challenger 300 and Challenger 604 aircraft. The new Challenger 3500 will replace the company’s Challenger 300 business jet.

December appears to be a blip in the steady trend of the last few months, with flight activity growth compared to 2019 diminishing substantially. In fact Europe is now clearly trending below 2019 levels. In the Middle East and Asia, the latest week has seen very large drops in bizjet demand. In the US, the key hub, Florida, saw bizjet flights fall 7% compared to December last year.

FAI Aviation Group, one of the world’s leading global providers of mission-critical aviation services, has extended its partnership with the world-famous McLaren Formula 1 Team. FAI will be known as an ‘official partner’ of McLaren Formula 1 Team and continue to provide executive aviation services to the team. As part of the agreement, FAI Aviation Group is proud to be prominently represented on Lando Norris’ helmet.

At the end of 2022, we looked forward to a more stabilized air charter market as our industry settled into the post-covid era. But it wouldn’t take long until the next fundamental shift was knocking on our doors. Oliver King reflects on the impact of Artificial Intelligence and how to harness its power.

Leonardo and Pratt & Whitney Canada announced the successful completion of the first flight for a AW139 intermediate twin helicopter, powered by PT6C-67C engines, using 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Accomplished at Leonardo’s facility in Cascina Costa di Samarate (Italy) on 21 November, the 75-minute flight and ground tests evaluated engine performance with multiple power variation and other systems. The test showed an outstanding response to the new fuel with no significant differences compared to the use of Jet A1 fuel.

TAG Aviation has obtained OTAR-145 approval from the Bermuda Civil Aviation Authority (BCAA) for its maintenance stations in Hong Kong, Macau, and Subang, Malaysia.

Daher announced the delivery of its 100th TBM 960, which was provided to a Californian businessman who is stepping up from a piston-engine airplane to this top-of-the-line member of the high-speed, turboprop-powered TBM aircraft family.

Global bizjet activity is now flat over the last 4 weeks compared to last year, falling behind the Covid surge in 2021, comfortably ahead of 2019. Bizjet demand in Europe is weakening towards 2019 trend. Middle East is weaker, with 15% drop YOY in the latest week, although notably the COP conference drew a spike in bizjet arrivals. The US is still relatively strong, especially for the largest operators.

Satcom Direct, the business aviation solutions provider, has received DO-160 approval for its SD Plane Simple Ka-band tail mount antenna, the second variant in its Plane Simple hardware series.

Following the successful first flights of Electra.aero, Inc.’s (Electra) eSTOL technology demonstrator aircraft, Bristow Group Inc. (NYSE: VTOL), the leading global provider of innovative and sustainable vertical flight solutions, secured early delivery positions for Electra’s hybrid-electric short takeoff and landing (eSTOL) production aircraft by executing a deposit agreement. Bristow signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Electra in 2021 to be the principal launch operational customer for the eSTOL aircraft, with a pre-order of up to 50 aircraft.