Your essential weekly digest of International Business and Private Aviation Industry news
 Atlanta, Georgia:Wheels Up sheds non-core units to drive profitabilityWheels Up Experience Inc. has sold three non-core services businesses - Baines Simmons, Kenyon International Emergency Services and Redline Assured Security - to an unrelated third party for approximately $20m in proceeds before transaction-related expenses. Wheels Up expects to reinvest the net proceeds from the sale to further its ongoing fleet modernization strategy and for general corporate purposes. "The divestiture of these non-core services businesses is the latest in a series of steps that Wheels Up has taken to sharpen our strategic focus; invest in our product, fleet and operations; and strengthen our balance sheet," said George Mattson, Chief Executive Officer. "The sale, along with our recently announced initiatives estimated to drive approximately $50m of cost efficiencies, is expected to create meaningful tailwinds on our path to sustained, profitable growth."
Savannah, Georgia:Gulfstream delivers first G800Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. has announced its first customer delivery of the all-new Gulfstream G800, the world’s longest range business aircraft. The G800 entry into service follows its FAA and EASA certifications on April 16th. The aircraft was outfitted at Gulfstream’s Appleton, Wisconsin, completions facility.
The April 16th certifications confirmed enhanced performance capabilities for the G800, which can travel 8,200 nautical miles/15,186 kilometers at its long-range cruise speed of Mach 0.85 and 7,000 nm/12,964 km at its high-speed cruise of Mach 0.90. The aircraft can also fly 8,000 nm/14,816 km at Mach 0.87. In addition, the G800 maximum operating speed increased to Mach 0.935 from Mach 0.925. |
In Week 34 (18-24th August), global bizjet activity reached 74,516 departures, flat compared to the prior week and up 4% compared to Week 34 of 2024. Looking at the rolling last 52 weeks, the most active week is still Week 26 2025, with a total of 78,808 bizjet departuresAugust month-to-date (1st through 24th), global business jets have recorded 254,012 flights, +5% versus the comparable August period last year. Of those flights August MTD, the top 5 countries in terms of departures were the United States, Canada, Brazil, France, and Italy. These top 5 countries accounted for 77% of all bizjet activity August MTD, while Brazil stands out with 23% YOY growth in bizjet sectors August MTD.
Santa Cruz, California:Joby marks aviation milestone with first piloted eVTOL air taxi flight between two public airportsAll-electric air taxi developer, Joby Aviation, Inc., has successfully operated with other aircraft in FAA-controlled airspace by completing its first flight between two US airports, Marina (OAR) and Monterey (MRY), California.
The achievement is a major step as part of Joby’s commercial market readiness, highlighting key capabilities across safety, operations, air traffic control and certification progress. It’s a critical measure of the maturity of the Company’s path to commercialization as the flights also demonstrated the type of real-world service Joby intends to offer to the public.
A fully-equipped airline in a box, the ACMI - Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance - model has been a game changer for years in Europe and is now picking up in Asia, Africa and other parts of the world. But what exactly is it? How does it differ from other approaches used in the aviation industry? And why does it resemble a tuxedo in more ways than one? For answers, we sat down with Andrew Lester - the ACMI Leasing Manager for India, the Middle East, and Africa at Chapman Freeborn Air Chartering.
Full ownership According to Andew Lester, ACMI leasing is close in nature to the task of hiring a tuxedo. If you have the cash for it, the first - and the most obvious - way to find yourself in a decent tuxedo is to purchase a brand new one that’s been made to your exact measurements. By choosing this route, you can order whatever extra you like, including dress shirts, pocket squares, evening gloves, floral accents on the lapel - whatever you like. With the tuxedo in your possession, you’ll be able to use it for as long as it looks good. And should you eventually decide to upgrade, you may be able to sell it and recoup some of its residual value.
Winston-Salem, North Carolina:Signature celebrates modernized private terminal in Winston-SalemSignature Aviation has celebrated the opening of a renovated facility at Smith Reynolds Airport (INT) in Winston-Salem, N.C. The updated Signature INT is located within the new terminal at Smith Reynolds Airport and was designed with a nod to the airport’s storied past, while adding several new elevated amenities for discerning guests.
Signature’s updated facility is nearly 3,000 square feet, highlighted by a spacious new crew lounge built for comfort with an amenities bar, quiet rooms, and a dedicated business center with flight planning stations. The added outdoor seating area on the terminal’s second floor and expanded coffee station in the terminal’s main lobby will offer guests an exceptional experience for relaxing and recharging during their visits.
Torrance, California:Robinson Helicopter launches trade-in program to help owners upgrade to safer, modern aircraftRobinson Helicopter Company (RHC), the world's leading manufacturer of civil helicopters, now offers a new Trade-In Program for current Robinson helicopter owners, designed to make it simpler and even more affordable to move into an all-new aircraft.
Robinson R44. Customers can work with their local dealer to trade in their current R22 Beta II, R44 Cadet, R44 Raven I, R44 Raven II, or R66 for credit toward the purchase of a brand-new Robinson helicopter.
San Luis Obispo, California:ACI Jet earns EASA CertificationExpands West Coast Bombardier ASF to support European-registered aircraft.West Coast-based business aviation services company, ACI Jet, has been granted European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Part 145 maintenance organization approval, officially certified on July 22nd, 2025.
This milestone authorizes ACI Jet to perform maintenance on European-registered aircraft, expanding the company’s ability to serve a broader, global customer base. As the only Bombardier Authorized Service Facility on the West Coast, and an on-site Bombardier parts depot, ACI Jet offers immediate access to critical components, warranty capabilities, and industry-leading expertise - all of which are now available to EASA-registered operators traveling to or through the United States.
Bangkok, Thailand:Thai SmartLynx receives maiden aircraft deliveryThai SmartLynx, an ACMI specialist airline, has reached a major milestone with the arrival of its first Airbus A320-200 at Don Mueang International Airport on Friday, 22nd August 2025. The aircraft delivery represents the final step in the airline’s application process for an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT).
Thai SmartLynx will provide flexible fleet management solutions through its ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) business model, designed to support Thailand’s seasonal aircraft capacity needs. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), aviation-driven tourism contributes USD22.2 billion to Thailand’s GDP and employs 3.2 million people.
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 Luqa, Malta:Vista sets industry milestone with first Evidence-Based Training certification in business aviationGlobal private aviation group, Vista, has announced that its operating partner, VistaJet Limited, is now the first-ever business aviation operator to achieve certification for Baseline Evidence-Based Training (EBT) - a data-driven and performance-focused methodology recognized as the new global benchmark for flight crew training and safety. VistaJet Limited began implementing EBT in 2018, years ahead of any other business aviation operator, and is now the first business aviation company in the world to receive this approval.
This proactive, early adoption reflects the Group's longstanding investment in safety innovation and its commitment to leading the industry by building systems and implementing training standards that go well beyond regulatory requirements. Nick van der Meer, Chief Operating Officer at Vista, noted: "Whilst others wait, Vista builds. We were the first to implement EBT in business aviation - years ahead of the industry - and we've set the blueprint others now look up to. "Achieving this certification is more than a regulatory milestone; it's proof of Vista's relentless commitment to protecting our clients and crew. Safety is a responsibility we take personally, every single day." |
Commemorating the 85th Anniversary of “The Hardest Day” at London Biggin Hill Airport
On 18 August 2025, London Biggin Hill Airport paid tribute to the 85th anniversary of “The Hardest Day” - a critical turning point in the Battle of Britain.
We honour, with deep pride and gratitude, Churchill’s “Few,” whose skill, courage, and determination in the skies, supported by dedicated ground crews and operational staff, helped secure Britain’s freedom during its darkest hour.
Hailed by Sir Winston Churchill as ‘the strongest link’, Biggin Hill stood at the front line of Britain’s aerial defence during its darkest hour in 1940, sending Spitfires and Hurricanes into the skies | Photo: Mike Rivett / Fotomotion.
For more than a century, Biggin Hill has been a hub of groundbreaking aviation, innovating ground-to-air radio and playing a famous role in the Battle of Britain. This legacy lives on at London Biggin Hill Airport, which continues to honour its wartime history, supporting veterans through partnerships with the RAF Biggin Hill Museum & Chapel, and charities such as the RAF Benevolent Fund and Scotty’s Little Soldiers.
Located on-site, The Strongest Link Garden serves as a commemorative space of reflection. The garden features a sculpture of a young pilot looking up at the sky, a powerful and moving tribute to all those who have served and continue to serve. It was formally unveiled by Randolph Churchill, great grandson of Sir Winston Churchill, at a special event for veterans and their families in September 2022.
| Today, London Biggin Hill is home to more than 70 resident aviation companies. Among them is The Spitfire Company, a world leader in historic aircraft restoration and home to the largest collection of airworthy Spitfires anywhere in the world. This thriving hub not only keeps aviation history alive through meticulous restoration work but also allows the public to experience these legendary aircraft in flight, ensuring the stories and engineering brilliance of the past continue to inspire future generations. |  |
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