Your essential weekly digest of International Business and Private Aviation Industry news

Manassas, Virginia and Houston, Texas:

Bristow secures first Electra EL9 delivery slot in launch agreement

Electra.aero and Bristow Group have signed a binding Pre-Delivery Payment (PDP) deposit agreement, subject to certification, securing the first delivery slot for Electra’s EL9 Ultra Short hybrid-electric aircraft. The nine-seat aircraft can carry 3,000 lb of cargo up to 330 nm, with a maximum ferry range of 1,100 nm with IFR reserves.

By securing the earliest EL9 deliveries with its PDP agreement, Bristow confirms the Company’s leadership role in shaping the future of Direct Aviation, positioning itself to offer customers unprecedented point-to-point access, dramatically reduced travel times, and entirely new opportunities for regional mobility.

Bristow and Electra have worked together for five years, starting with a pre-order agreement in 2021. The parties have now converted their pre-order LOI into a fixed agreement for five EL9 delivery slots, all to be delivered in the EL9’s first year of production. By reserving these early slots, Bristow has secured unmatched early access to an aircraft set to redefine how people and goods move.

The PDP agreement includes option rights for Bristow to another 45 aircraft at the same fixed terms.

Bristow plans to deploy the EL9 across turnkey mobility solutions for corporate customers, premier destinations and resorts, major and regional airlines, and government agencies operating essential public service routes.

more

Montreal:

Bombardier commits C$100m to scale up manufacturing in Dorval

Bombardier has announced a new 126,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art manufacturing centre in Dorval, Quebec, which marks a significant milestone in its growth strategy.

Located near the Challenger manufacturing centre and the Laurent Beaudoin Completion Centre, this new facility will further expand Bombardier’s industrial footprint and strengthen its production capabilities.

The project represents an investment of approximately C$100 million and is part of the company’s long-term strategy to boost productivity as it responds to growing demand for its business aircraft. This new facility, set to open before the end of 2027, is expected to create skilled job opportunities.

“This major investment demonstrates our commitment to support Bombardier’s growth and build the infrastructure we need to maximize our productivity. As we expand our manufacturing capacity, we’re positioning ourselves to keep up with global demand and solidify our position at the top of the business aviation industry,” said David Murray, Executive Vice President, Manufacturing, IT and Bombardier Operational Excellence System.

more

Melbourne, Florida:

Eve Air Mobility secures $150m to accelerate its eVTOL program

Investor confidence remains strong as Eve accelerates certification and commercialization with high liquidity.

Eve Air Mobility, a global leader in the development of next-generation electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) solutions, has secured $150m in debt financing from a syndicate of leading financial institutions.

The 5-year loan included Itau, Banco do Brasil, Citibank, and Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, underscoring strong market confidence in Eve’s vision and long-term strategy.

“This successful debt raise represents a significant milestone for Eve and a strong endorsement of our leadership in shaping the future of urban air mobility,” said Eduardo Couto, chief financial officer at Eve Air Mobility.

“The confidence of large banks reinforces our commitment to delivering a fully integrated eVTOL ecosystem. This financing provides long-term resources necessary to accelerate development, advance certification, and execute our strategic roadmap through 2028 and beyond.”

more

Washington, DC:

FAA safety alert focuses on space launches

The FAA is alerting operators about safety issues that can arise from the rapid growth of space launch operations in the US

As space launches become more frequent, the agency’s guidance underscores that the safe integration of space and traditional air traffic operations hinges on collaboration, careful preflight planning and inflight awareness among pilots and operators, and real-time responsiveness.

SAFO 26001 focuses on the airspace management challenges that accompany these activities, especially the potential for catastrophic failures that produce debris fields capable of endangering aircraft. The alert encourages operators to proactively consider how launch operations might disrupt planned routes and day-of-operation traffic flows.

The FAA creates an airspace management plan for each launch, which outlines TFRs, aircraft hazard areas (AHA) and debris response areas (DRA) that may be needed to safeguard air traffic.

more

Luxaviation ONE

Helen Hollis

Luxaviation ONE, part of the Luxembourg-headquartered Luxaviation Group , has announced the appointment of Helen Hollis as Managing Director USA, marking a key milestone in the company's growth strategy and the expansion of its client-first
charter platform across the United States.

This appointment reflects a sizeable, long-term multi-million dollar investment from Luxaviation Group into the USA, recognizing the importance of the world’s largest business aviation market, at a time when clients increasingly value resilient and globally connected solutions.

Helen Hollis brings more than 15 years of experience in the air charter industry, with extensive expertise in passenger charter operations, key account management, and senior leadership roles across the Americas.

Her career includes serving in executive leadership positions at leading global charter organisations, most notably as Senior Vice President Passenger Charters - Americas at Chapman Freeborn, where she played a pivotal role in delivering complex charter solutions and leading high-performing regional teams.

In her new role, Helen Hollis will lead the expansion of Luxaviation ONE’s presence in the US market, strengthening its charter offering and reinforcing its global capabilities.

Jet Access

David Deitch

As part of its continued evolution, Indianapolis-headquartered Jet Access has welcomed aviation leader David Deitch as Executive Vice President of Sales, reinforcing the company’s leadership as it expands its aircraft management and ownership solutions nationwide.

With more than 40 years of aviation industry experience, David brings deep expertise in aircraft management, strategic planning, and building high-performing sales organizations. His appointment highlights Jet Access’s ongoing commitment to growth and delivering exceptional value to aircraft owners.

Prior to joining Jet Access, David spent 23 years with Jet Aviation, where he played a pivotal role in expanding the managed fleet by more than 300 aircraft. He is widely respected for cultivating strong relationships throughout the aviation industry, including with financial institutions, legal partners, brokers, consultants, and OEM sales teams.

David holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Marketing and Aeronautical Studies and is a licensed private pilot.

His extensive knowledge, leadership experience, and relationship-driven approach will play a key role in advancing Jet Access’s sales strategy and supporting the continued growth of its aircraft management platform.