Achieves oversubscription within first three months of launch. Total funding now $440m.
BOND, the first fractional private aviation club built exclusively for the highest end of the market, has expanded its Bombardier commitment up to $5bn following its October 2025 launch.
BOND is accelerating deliveries for 2027 within its existing aircraft order to meet demand, adding four new firm orders for Global aircraft, and upgrading 24 of its existing aircraft options to Global 8000 aircraft with the flexibility to convert them to Global 6500s.
The increased commitment reflects BOND's total relationship with Bombardier, including all firm orders, options, and a first-of-its-kind service agreement.
The expansion comes as demand at the top of the private aviation market continues to outpace supply, particularly among owners seeking newer aircraft, a more customer friendly ownership model, and highly personalized service.
While fractional aviation has scaled by increasing mass demand access to light and midsize aircraft types, BOND prioritizes exclusivity over scale in the super-mid to ultra-long-range types.
IsraJets, a global private aviation company founded in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, has taken a significant step forward by entering aircraft operations.
The milestone comes with the launch of IsraFly, its newly established operating division, and the acquisition of its first aircraft - a Hawker 800XPi.
Serving more than 300 clients worldwide, the company now strengthens its global charter services by combining its established brokerage expertise with direct operational oversight and enhanced control over flight execution.
This strategic development follows IsraJets' acquisition of an FAA Part 135 operating certificate, positioning the company as both a charter brokerage and a certified aircraft operator.
The move signals a deliberate shift toward a more comprehensive and accountable business model within the private aviation sector.
Avfuel Corporation has welcomed Boerne Stage Airfield to its branded FBO network, elevating business aviation in south Texas.
Boerne Stage Airfield (K5C1) - the sole full-service FBO on the field - offers a comprehensive suite of services focused on luxury, affordability and exceptional customer care.
Its newly-renovated facility features contemporary spaces designed with pilots and crew in mind. Out of its sleek facility, a professional team delivers superior service complemented by elegant lounge areas, a private conference room with seating for 8 and full A/V, a large theater and pristine restrooms with private showers.
Complimentary Wi-Fi and refreshments in the well-appointed pilot lounge allow guests to relax in comfort, while crew cars and on-site rental vehicles provide convenience for local travel.
The National Business Aviation Association has welcomed approval by the House of Representatives of the Airspace Location and Enhanced Risk Transparency (ALERT) Act, H.R.7613.
The wide-ranging, bipartisan safety measure, which is supported by NBAA and a host of other industry stakeholders, requires all civil fixed-wing and rotorcraft to improve situational awareness by equipping them with collision mitigation, avoidance and alerting systems while recognizing the diverse composition of the business aviation fleet.
The legislation addresses recommendations made by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) following its investigation into the January 2025 midair collision of a US Army helicopter and regional passenger airliner near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).
New flight deck and system upgrades strengthen Cessna piston fleet capabilities
Textron Aviation has announced a suite of new enhancements for its Cessna piston lineup, including the Cessna Skyhawk, Cessna Skylane, Cessna Turbo Skylane and Cessna Turbo Stationair HD
These updates feature the introduction of the Garmin G1000 NXi System Release 7 avionics upgrade and the Lycoming dual electronic ignition system (dual EIS). Previously announced for the Cessna Skyhawk, dual EIS is now standard on all new Cessna piston aircraft. Aircraft equipped with these enhancements are expected to enter service beginning in late 2026 through early 2027.
The avionics upgrade brings several sought‑after capabilities to Cessna high‑wing customers, including Garmin Smart Glide, which provides automated engine‑out assistance to help pilots manage emergency situations with confidence. The update also includes Remote Wake, allowing operators to power up aircraft avionics systems from outside the cockpit for pre‑flight planning, database updates and maintenance checks.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and the city of Prescott have opened a pivotal flight training center at Prescott Regional Airport in Arizona, marking a significant investment in aviation education, safety and workforce development.
The debut of the city of Prescott's Strategic Academic Flight Education Complex represents a milestone in the university’s partnership with the airport and the region. Embry-Riddle is the first educational tenant within the city-owned development.
At the center of the project is Embry-Riddle's new operations facility. The development includes a 263,000-square-foot aircraft ramp and a new two-story, 20,000-square-foot flight operations building with dispatch, briefing and instructional space for student pilots and faculty.
The new facility complements the university's existing flight operations at the airport, creating a state-of-the-art, streamlined environment for hands-on training while supporting long-term infrastructure needs.
"This is about giving our students the kind of professional aviation environment that is the standard at Embry-Riddle - built for flight training and grounded in safety at every level," said Dr. Ken Witcher, chancellor of the Prescott Campus. “We are proud to partner with the city of Prescott on a project that reflects a shared commitment to aviation education and to the future of this region."
Comlux America has received a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) from the Federal Aviation Administration for Airbus ACJ TwoTwenty cabins, in collaboration with DOA21, a subsidiary of the Comlux Group and a Design Organization Approval (DOA) holder.
This allows DOA21 to certify the design modifications of Airbus ACJ TwoTwenty aircraft cabins in compliance with FAA regulations, ensuring that all modifications meet rigorous safety and airworthiness standards.
With dual certification now secured from both European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the FAA, Comlux America is positioned to make ACJ TwoTwenty cabin available to clients throughout North America as well.
Customers may now acquire the ACJ TwoTwenty cabin from Comlux America and register the aircraft under the FAA's N-Number Registry in accordance with US aviation requirements.
Embraer's board of directors has appointed Felipe Santana Santiago de Lima as Executive Vice President, Finance and Investor Relations, effective April 13th.
Felipe Santana, who currently serves as Embraer's global director of treasury, has spent 18 years at the company, holding leadership roles across financial operations, treasury, insurance, customer finance and shared services.
During his career, he has developed deep expertise in corporate finance and treasury, with significant exposure to capital markets, liability management, aircraft financing, investor and bank relations, and risk management, supporting strategic decision making and long term value creation.
Felipe Santana holds a degree in International Relations from Fundacao Escola de Comercio Alvares Penteado (FECAP) and a Certified Financial Management (CFM) credential from Insper. He has completed executive education programs at Fundacao Dom Cabral, Harvard University, and Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV). In 2022, he was named one of the '20 Finance Leaders to Watch' by the Finance Career Perspective Yearbook (Insper and Assetz).
ASG
Angelika Babiczew
Guernsey, Channel Islands-headquartered MRO specialist, ASG, has announced the appointment of Angelika Babiczew as MRO Sales Manager.
Angelika joins ASG from AGSE, a global aerospace maintenance and repair services provider, where she most recently served as Regional Sales Manager for Europe.
During her time there, she also held key roles as Account Manager and Customer Manager, gaining extensive experience across the MRO and airline sectors.
John Hamshere, MRO Business Development Manager, commented: “We are delighted that Angelika has joined ASG's expanding team. Her strong background in customer account management and sales, combined with her in-depth industry knowledge, will be a valuable asset to both ASG and the wider PASL Group,"
Seven weeks on from the outbreak of the Iran-Israel-US conflict, Middle East business aviation remains deeply suppressed, with regional fuel uplift holding at levels more than 40% below pre-conflict norms and no recovery trajectory yet visible.
Globally, the picture is more encouraging, with Week 15 delivering a strong +5.6% year-on-year rebound as the market shook off the Easter lull, with North and South America both posting robust growth. At Augusta National, the Masters Tournament drew 1,417 bizjet arrivals to KAGS, a powerful 15x surge above normal weekly levels and a timely reminder that marquee events remain a reliable demand driver.
Global bizjet activity: Strong rebound after Easter lull
After a slowdown in flying last week due to Easter, global bizjet activity rebounded strongly in Week 15 (6-12 April), with approximately 82,000 sectors flown, a 5.6% year-on-year increase vs Week 15 last year. The week's total comfortably exceeded the 73,100 average weekly departures recorded across the first 14 weeks of 2026, while global bizjet activity now stands at +4.6% ahead of last year, a slight acceleration from the +4.2% reported through 5 April, and a notable improvement on the +2.6% achieved over the same period in 2025 vs 2024.
North America anchored weekly growth at +9.2%, while South America continued its standout run at +14.3% and Asia delivered a solid +4.1%.
Beyond Aero, manufacturer of the hydrogen-electric BYA-I light jet, and leading European business aviation operator Luxaviation, have announced a multi-year strategic partnership to prepare the operational introduction of hydrogen-electric aircraft into business aviation, starting at Le Bourget.
Under the partnership, Beyond Aero and Luxaviation will jointly evaluate real‑world missions, routes, energy requirements, and ground operations relevant to hydrogen‑electric flight within current and future EASA regulatory frameworks.
The collaboration is designed to anticipate the operational needs of future hydrogen‑electric operators, including charter operators, fractional ownership companies, and corporate flight departments.
Business aviation's ability to turn potential into profit in Africa is constrained by a lack of certified MRO facilities, supply of critical components, and local technical staff, but things are changing.
Dawit Lemma, Chair of AfBAA, talks with members to explore the situation.
There is no doubt that the African business aviation sector is bursting with potential, having transitioned from a niche sector to a vital tool for economic development over the past decade, but further growth is restricted by a range of MRO limitations, which directly impact operations and business development.
Ester Henga, Business Development Manager of Nairobi-headquartered Shujaa Aviation, an African aviation service provider, outlines the problem: "There is limited availability of certified MRO facilities for certain aircraft types and specialised equipment in East and Central Africa, often requiring us to ferry aircraft to other regions.
"We also suffer long lead times and supply chain constraints for critical spares and components, especially for less common business aircraft models."
DC Aviation Malta officially opened its newly redesigned facilities at Malta International Airport during an exclusive event held on April 10th. The launch offered invited guests a first glimpse of the upgraded premises, which have been thoughtfully developed to meet the evolving needs of passengers and flight crews while enhancing the efficiency of ground operations.
Completed in collaboration with leading designers, the renovation modernizes the facility's infrastructure, equipment, and layout. The enhancements are aimed at streamlining operational processes while elevating comfort, privacy, and overall service quality.
The redesigned premises feature dedicated passenger and crew lounges, private restrooms, a fully equipped meeting room, and specialized offices for management and operations.
AURA AERO is entering a new phase. Thanks to a new 50m EUR funding round, grants secured in France and Europe, and financial support from the State of Florida for its US plant, the company has now brought its total funding to 340m EUR.
ERA hybrid-electric airliner.
With the building permit secured for its future factory in Toulouse and firm orders already placed for its ERA hybrid-electric regional aircraft, the company is putting all the pieces in place for a transition to industrial-scale production.
This funding will enable AURA AERO to make significant progress on three priorities: the first flight of ERA, ramping up production of INTEGRAL, and expanding drone operations with ENBATA, while establishing the industrial capabilities necessary for their mass production in France (Toulouse) and the US (Daytona Beach, Florida).
This year, BlueSky is partnering with Gear Up TV to bring business aviation professionals and companies an unmissable opportunity.
We’ll interview you live on-site at key trade shows, with your feature published the following week to BlueSky’s highly engaged audience of senior business aviation leaders.
TITAN Aviation Fuels has welcomed SkyShare's newly awarded FBO at South Valley Regional Airport (SVR) into the TITAN Aviation Network.
The milestone marks an exciting expansion in the Salt Lake Valley, bringing enhanced service, increased capacity, and new development to one of the region's key general aviation airports.
Located just 10 miles south of Salt Lake City International Airport, South Valley Regional Airport serves as a strategic reliever airport offering efficiency, accessibility, and convenience for a wide range of aircraft, including super mid-size jets.
Gulfstream has delivered the 10th G700 aircraft to Qatar Executive, the private jet charter division of Qatar Airways Group.
This delivery completes the order announced in October 2019 and marks the 25th Gulfstream aircraft delivered to Qatar Executive since the partnership commenced in 2015.
For Qatar Executive, the delivery of this G700 is a key milestone in its continuous growth strategy, reinforcing its position as a leader in the global business aviation market while continuing to expand its capabilities and enhance the travel experience for its passengers.
ExecuJet, Europe's largest FBO network and part of the Luxaviation Group, is commemorating 20 years of operations in Germany with a prominent presence at AERO Friedrichshafen 2026.
This anniversary marks two decades of continuous investment, facility development and operational leadership across Germany's key business aviation hubs.
ExecuJet established its first German FBO at Berlin Schonefeld in 2006 and has since grown into one of the most trusted providers of business aviation services in the region. Today, ExecuJet operates leading facilities at Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) and Munich International Airport (MUC), two strategic pillars within its European network.
Piloted aircraft takes off vertically and accelerates seamlessly into energy-efficient wingborne cruise.
Vertical Aerospace, a global aerospace and technology company pioneering electric aviation, has announced a landmark achievement in aviation history: piloted thrustborne transition by a full-scale eVTOL aircraft, taking off vertically like a helicopter and transitioning seamlessly into wingborne flight like a fixed-wing aircraft.
This milestone unlocks the defining capability of eVTOL aviation and places Vertical at the forefront of the global advanced air mobility industry.
This marks a first for a piloted, full-scale eVTOL aircraft of this class operating under the oversight of the UK CAA, which is working in close collaboration with EASA toward certification of Vertical's electric aircraft, Valo.
The 32nd Edition of AERO Friedrichshafen, Europe's leading general aviation show, welcomes its biggest business aviation presence ever when it opens its doors on April 22nd for four days.
Exhibitors include business aviation associations from Asia (AsBAA), Germany (GBAA) and Austria (AABA) and an emerging Middle East contingent, including representatives of MEBAA.
Out on the static and in the halls, 50 showcased aircraft are business models - fixed wing and helicopters - versus a 30-strong line up last year. Highlights include debutantes from Textron - its new, mid-size Citation Ascend stopping off on its European tour, the super mid-size Longitude and Dassault's Falcon 6X and Bombardier's Global 6500.
Turboprop headliners include Daher's brand new TBM 980, the latest Kodiak 900 and a welcome of return the Piaggio P.180 Avanti Evo. Cirrus will show its latest Series 3 Vision Jet.
Showing for the first time, under new Diamond Aircraft ownership, in the Innovation Area, (Hall A7) is Volocopter and its new VoloXPro, the personal ultralight vertical mobility solution. Diamond is also marking three world aircraft premieres on its main stand in Hall A4. Another newcomer is Germany's ultra-light EvoCopter ClassiX, helicopter.
The Air Charter Association brings European Regional Forum to AERO
Bombardier has celebrated fleet operator Vista taking possession of its first Global 8000 aircraft at the company’s London Biggin Hill Service Centre.
This introduction marks the beginning of upgrades to Vista’s current Global 7500 aircraft, with two per month planned - leading to the full fleet of 18 being operational as Global 8000 jets by year end and in turn marking the largest subscription fleet available of this revolutionary jet.
"The Global 8000 stands apart as a truly no compromise aircraft, delivering unmatched speed, exceptional comfort and industry-leading field performance," said Eric Martel, President and CEO, Bombardier.
"With the addition of the Global 8000 to its fleet, Vista will offer its customers the best of what is possible in the industry."
"These developments mark another important milestone in Vista's ongoing commitment to operating the most advanced fleet in private aviation," said Thomas Flohr, Founder and Chairman of Vista.
The CLIMBING. FAST. campaign has welcomed The Air Charter Association (The ACA) as its newest partner, expanding the coalition's global reach and bolstering its efforts to showcase business aviation's economic value and other essential societal benefits, including sustainability leadership.
The partnership will be officially announced at The ACA's European Regional Forum held as part of AERO Friedrichshafen, taking place from April 22nd-25th, 2026.
CLIMBING. FAST. is an international advocacy campaign focused on informing policymakers and opinion leaders about the essential contributions of business aviation, including the industry's role in creating jobs, supporting economic development, connecting communities, advancing humanitarian missions, empowering businesses to succeed and driving more sustainable aviation through innovation on the ground and in the air.
"As we continue to expand our presence across the US, initiatives like CLIMBING. FAST. ensure we can better coordinate our air charter advocacy efforts with our industry partners." said Glenn Hogben, Chief Executive, The ACA.
"The air charter industry is a significant driver of employment, economic growth and technological innovation around the world, and it is important we continue to get that message across."
F/LIST, the Austrian pioneer for high-end aircraft cabin interiors, marked a significant milestone at Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) 2026 with the official expansion of its production and support capabilities for corporate helicopters.
F/LIST now supports customers seamlessly across corporate helicopters, business and private jets, premium commercial aircraft cabins, and private residences. Under the F/YACHTING brand, the group is also active in the yacht segment, while its sister company HILITECH expands the F/LIST capabilities with innovative lightweight and composite technologies.
"Expanding into helicopter interiors is a natural next step for F/LIST,” says Michael Muller, Managing Director, F/LIST Aviation.
"Many of our customers operate across multiple high-end interior environments, and with this addition, we can now accompany them across their entire ecosystem, whether in the air, on land, or at sea, delivering the same level of imagination, technological innovation, advanced material engineering, and consistent craftsmanship in every space. Customers now have a single resource for all their interior acquisition needs."
Gogo debuted at Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) this week, highlighting its position as the only global connectivity provider offering fully integrated, multi-orbit, multi-band solutions for business aviation and military/government customers.
The company underscored its prioritization of embedding cybersecurity and privacy for every customer.
Gogo offers a connectivity ecosystem purpose-built for business aviation and military/government missions based on air-to-ground (ATG), low-earth orbit (LEO), and geostationary earth orbit (GEO) systems, with options for all aircraft categories - from small to large-cabin aircraft.
"We are proud to be supporting the introduction of a business aviation zone at the 25th AIX. Ir's an essential interiors show and gives us the opportunity to demonstrate the unique qualities of our ecosystem to a new audience," said Chris Moore, CEO of Gogo.
"We provide solutions to support diverse aircraft types from small jets through to executive airliners and we want to optimize our presence to showcase the diversity of our portfolio and how we can tailor services for each client."
As Europe heads towards the busy summer travel period, Charlie Wilcox, Director of Charter at ACC Aviation, highlights demand for private aviation - particularly from April through to the peak month of July - during which business jet traffic typically increases by as much as 70%.
"We see this trend year after year," says Wilcox. "Private jet traffic begins to build in the spring and really accelerates into the summer. Even during COVID, the June to September period remained the strongest for business aviation, which shows just how resilient and essential private travel has become."
Charles Wilcox.
This seasonal trend is supported by broader market data. Across Europe, flights - including business jets and turboprops - have risen by 0.8% year-on-year in February, with a modest but steady increase of 0.6% recorded year-to-date through February 2026 versus 2025.
While overall growth continues, certain markets are seeing significant momentum, most notably Italy, where private aviation activity has surged by 20%, driven by the ski season and Winter Olympics.
From a global perspective, Europe continues to play an important - albeit smaller - role in private aviation activity. In 2026, Europe accounts for 11.2% of global business jet departures year-to-date, compared to North America's dominant 68.5%. This reflects a continuation of 2025 trends, where Europe represented 10.5% of global departures, versus 66.8% in North America.
The European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) has announced the cancellation of EBACE26, reaffirming its commitment to supporting and strengthening Europe's business aviation community.
The decision underscores the Association's responsibility to act transparently and strategically in response to changing industry conditions.
EBAA exists to represent, support, and advocate for business aviation across Europe. Its mission is to promote responsible and sustainable growth, improve connectivity, and create opportunities for the sector. Central to this effort has been EBACE, the industry's flagship annual event, long regarded as a key platform for networking, innovation, and commercial engagement.
However, despite its historical significance, EBACE26 - scheduled to take place in Geneva from 2nd to 4th June 2026 - has been cancelled following careful evaluation. The Association cited a lack of sufficient market momentum as the primary reason for the decision.
ACS helps get 36 huskies to sled race start line in Alaska
Last month, leading aircraft charter specialist, Air Charter Service, helped with the transportation of 36 huskies, along with their handlers, from Oslo, Norway to Anchorage in Alaska, USA to take part in the Iditarod sled race across the state.
Dan Morgan-Evans, Group Cargo Director at ACS, commented: “We were approached by a group of Norwegian competitors taking part in Iditarod – ‘The Last Great Race’, a 1,000-mile, 10-day, sled race from Anchorage to Nome in Alaska.
Huskies in Oslo about to fly to Alaska.
“Flying so many dogs involved a number of obstacles, including finding an airline that was happy to perform the flight, and that could fly directly without a fuel stop, in order to prevent any added time that the huskies would have to spend in transit. We identified a Boeing B757-200F as the ideal aircraft - the payload was less than two tons, as it was just the dogs and their equipment, including dog food, vitamins, harnesses, and camping gear.
“The next challenge was to arrange for the handling agent in Oslo to bring in extra staff, securing an outdoor space for the dogs to stretch their legs before the flight, and ensuring we had all the correct health documents to operate (36 passports, 36 rabies certificates, 36 health certificates, and 36 CDC Permits for the US customs).
“One of our cargo team flew with the aircraft, the dog handlers and the huskies, to ensure everything went smoothly at both ends - we had secured airside access in Anchorage, so that the dog handlers could drive up to the aircraft and load the dogs for their short onward journey.
“Following the successful race, the dogs flew to Seattle on another charter, this time on a McDonnell Douglas MD-83F, before picking up their ride back to Europe on a scheduled flight.”
