Your essential weekly digest of International Business and Private Aviation Industry news
 Las Vegas:Business aviation’s vital contributions take centre stage at NBAA-BACE keynoteNBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen took the keynote stage on opening day of the 2025 NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition for “an absolute celebration of business aviation” and its role not only in driving economic growth and technological innovation, but also in inspiring future generations to aim higher. “We’re a vital link in the global transportation system,” Bolen said. “We create jobs. We help companies be efficient and productive in an intensely competitive global marketplace. We provide humanitarian assistance to those in need, and we are on a mission to net-zero. It is great to be part of a great industry.”
NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. Bolen emphasized that safety also remains of paramount importance not only in the business aviation community but throughout all other industry sectors following a series of high profile, fatal accidents earlier this year. “We saw the entire aviation community coming together on the plan to build a brand-new air traffic control system,” Bolen said. “Airlines, airports, labor, all of general aviation [and] alignment between the president, the secretary of transportation, both houses of Congress and a public demanding that we build a new ATC system.” Bolen also recognized in the audience the two most recent enshrinees to the National Aviation Hall of Fame, aviation safety consultant and former NTSB member John Goglia and NBAA Chair Emeritus Gen. Lloyd “Fig” Newton. “We’ve gotten to our point today by standing on the shoulders of giants,” he said.
Las Vegas:Mystery solved: Bombardier confirms BOND as the buyer behind its landmark June 2025 dealBOND will enter the thriving business aviation market through their $1.7bn firm order for 50 Bombardier aircraft and a comprehensive service agreement.Bombardier has revealed BOND as the customer behind its previously announced firm order for 50 aircraft, valued at US$1.7bn. The announcement came on the first day of NBAA-BACE, where BOND also unveiled its new brand identity. The order includes both Challenger and Global aircraft, with deliveries set to begin in 2027. Choosing Bombardier exclusively to launch its operations marks a major milestone for BOND and highlights the company’s confidence in Bombardier’s aircraft and service expertise. “As someone who has spent their career in private aviation, I’m excited to have the best planes in the world to offer to our customers at BOND,” said Bill Papariella, Chairman and Group CEO of BOND. “Our relationship with their team spans many years through my previous work in the aftermarket space at Jet Edge, and I’ve seen firsthand the culture, consistency, and service mindset that make Bombardier exceptional. "This relationship isn’t simply about aircraft - it’s about shared values and a long-term commitment to redefining reliability and care in private aviation. The capital markets’ response to our announcement in June validated that belief. "What we’re building with BOND is a continuation of that same vision I began at Jet Edge: that great aviation companies are built around service, and Bombardier is the best in the world to help us deliver on that promise.” |
In Week 41 (6 October-12 October), global bizjet activity reached 79,114 departures, up 4% compared to the prior week (Week 40) and up 7% versus Week 41 of 2024On a rolling last four-week basis (W38 – W41), global business jets have accumulated more than 314,000 departures, a 7% increase compared to the same period last year. The streak continues: 25 consecutive weeks of year-on-year growth. Out of the 41 weeks so far in 2025, 38 posted gains, with the biggest surge of 13% in Week 37, and the largest decline just 3% in Week 16. North America: Florida surges 20% as region posts 6% growth The North American market recorded 6% more activity in W41 2025 vs W41 2024, with total departures at 57,097. The US accounted for 97% of North America activity in Week 41, driving the region’s growth.
Las Vegas:Honeywell sees record business jet demand, expects decade of continued growth34th annual Global Business Aviation Outlook projects 8,500 new business jet deliveries valued at $283bn.Honeywell has published its 34th annual Global Business Aviation Outlook, which forecasts a record-setting number of new business jet deliveries over the next decade. The report provides unique insights into current industry trends and longer-cycle developments based on forecasting models and surveys of hundreds of business aviation operators across the globe.
Within the report, Honeywell predicts 8,500 new business jets with a projected value of $283bn the highest in the report’s 34-year history - will be delivered over the next 10 years with an average annual growth rate of 3%. The strong demand for new jets continues to persist against a backdrop of increasingly complex macroeconomic and geopolitical factors. However, those factors have not slowed down the demand for new aircraft.
Las Vegas:Cessna Citation CJ3 Gen2 earns FAA type certification, introducing the most advanced Gen2 upgrades yetTextron Aviation's Cessna Citation CJ3 Gen2 has achieved Federal Aviation Administration type certification, bringing the most comprehensive Citation Gen2 investment to market.
Based on customer feedback, enhancements throughout the aircraft include Garmin autothrottle technology, an additional 4.5 inches of legroom for pilots and a fully customizable cabin environment. After completing 445 flight test hours, the light jet is expected to enter into service this year.
Las Vegas:Global 8000 set for 2025 debut as fastest civil aircraft since ConcordeBombardier has announced that the Global 8000, the world’s fastest business jet, just got faster with a new top speed of Mach 0.95 - the highest speed in civil aviation and the fastest business jet in history.
Speaking on the first day of NBAA-BACE in Las Vegas, Stephen McCullough, Bombardier's SVP of Engineering and Product Development, said: “The Global 8000 was already the fastest business aircraft ever built, and with this new speed capability, this incredible aircraft is set to redefine the ultra-long-range market. "This achievement underscores the significant contributions of our innovative design, flight test and production teams and showcases their immense expertise, obsession with excellence and unrelenting commitment to push the boundaries - the heartbeat that drives everything we do at Bombardier.”
Las Vegas:Cessna Citation Ascend makes world debut at NBAA-BACEThe Cessna Citation Ascend landed at Henderson Executive Airport in Las Vegas this week, marking its world debut at the 2025 National Business Aviation Association Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition. The aircraft, which flew to the show using sustainable aviation fuel, joined other industry-leading Cessna Citation business jets on the static.
“With the aircraft making its debut at NBAA-BACE, visitors can see the new Garmin G5000 cockpit and experience the sleek new interior features including a flat floor, larger windows and wireless cabin management system,” said Lannie O’Bannion, Textron Aviation's SVP, Sales & Marketing. Currently under development, the aircraft recently achieved a major milestone as the first production unit rolled out of the factory. Textron Aviation expects the aircraft to enter into service later this year following certification from the FAA.
Stans, Switzerland:German Armed Forces receives first PC-12Pilatus has handed over a PC-12 to the Technical and Airworthiness Center for Aircraft and Aeronautical Equipment of the German Armed Forces (WTD 61).
This versatile single-engine turboprop will be stationed at the Ingolstadt/Manching air base in Germany, where it will be used for training test pilots and transporting personnel and material. Cost-effective to operate and flexible in use, the PC-12 will provide the German Armed Forces with a high-performance aircraft which will considerably strengthen the service’s operational readiness.
Las Vegas:Skymark, World Fuel, and Clay Lacy unveil Nation’s largest all-electric aircraft refuelerSkymark Refuelers, in partnership with World Fuel Services and Clay Lacy Aviation, has launched the largest all-electric aircraft refueler in the United States - a 7,000-gallon EV Refueler advancing sustainable airport operations.
This innovative vehicle marks a major step in electrifying ground support equipment, combining zero-emission performance, efficiency, and safety. Key features include an all-electric drivetrain, PTO shaft-driven pump, advanced thermal management system, and smart monitoring for enhanced control and reliability. Fully compliant with NFPA standards, the refueler delivers both environmental and operational excellence. Deployed with Clay Lacy Aviation, the 7,000-gallon EV Refueler sets a new benchmark for cleaner, smarter airport fueling solutions across the nation.
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 Las Vegas:Record backlog drives strategic expansion and new investment at Comlux AmericaComlux America has announced a major expansion of its operations and workforce to support a record order backlog and anticipated growth over the next several years. Driven by strong demand across multiple platforms, Comlux America’s current backlog comprises 28 aircraft, including six A220s for Magnifica Air, four ACJ TwoTwentys, fifteen A321 NEOs, and three A320 NEOs. To accommodate this extensive pipeline, the company has entered into a strategic partnership with the Indianapolis Airport Authority to expand its hangar capacity and operational footprint.
As part of the agreement, Comlux America will add two new hangars by Q1 2026, providing 4 additional narrowbody bays, and complete a further expansion by the end of 2026, adding 4 more bays for narrowbody programs. These projects will enhance Comlux’s capacity and flexibility, enabling it to accommodate a growing mix of VIP completions and MRO projects. In alignment with its infrastructure investments, Comlux America is growing its employee base to meet increased production demand. The company’s workforce expanded by 20% in 2025, with a further 20% increase planned in 2026. |
KlasJet employee breaks three national records in single high-altitude jump
Aleksej Zelenkov, a duty manager at private and corporate jet charter company, KlasJet, has broken three Lithuanian skydiving records in a single jump from 7,620 meters during a specialized high-altitude event in Herning, Denmark.
The achievement included setting new Lithuanian records for the highest skydive, longest canopy flight duration at approximately 13 minutes, and the highest altitude display of the Lithuanian flag.
“The conditions of the jump were genuinely extreme - the temperature was -37 degrees Celsius, and I needed an oxygen source. Unlike my previous high-altitude jump with freefall, this time I deployed the parachute immediately after exit, which meant feeling the full force of that cold instantly. My hands and feet went numb almost immediately,” Zelenkov remembers.
Zelenkov executed the jump during a specialized high-altitude event in Denmark, one of the few opportunities in Europe for civilian skydivers to reach such heights. After completing a freefall jump from 7,500 meters the previous year, he decided to attempt something more challenging - an immediate canopy deployment from an even higher altitude.
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