Your essential weekly digest of International Business and Private Aviation Industry news
 Manassas, Virginia:Electra secures 2,200 pre-orders for groundbreaking Ultra Short aircraftElectra.aero, Inc., the aerospace company pioneering Direct Aviation as a new category, has secured 2,200 pre-orders for its groundbreaking EL9 Ultra Short hybrid-electric aircraft.Valued at nearly $9bn, Electra's order pipeline is one of the largest in the Advanced Air Mobility industry. Electra’s Ultra Short - which integrates blown lift and hybrid-electric propulsion to take off and land in just 150 feet - enables air operators to connect communities that lack aviation infrastructure, fly into airports with strict noise restrictions, create new opportunities and business models for cargo services, and save travelers significant time and hassle. It also introduces entirely new logistics capabilities for warfighters including the ability to land on unimproved surfaces, improve safety and reduce cost, power ground operations, and carry out critical logistics transport.
The nine-passenger EL9 delivers up to 3,000 pounds of payload capacity and a range up to 1,100 nautical miles, with in-flight battery recharging that eliminates the need for ground charging infrastructure. The ability to operate from compact spaces and unimproved surfaces including grass fields, parking lots, and repurposed heliports opens new routes and economic opportunities, making regional air mobility for passengers and cargo more affordable and accessible than ever before.
Dallas, Texas:Airbus wraps up VERTICON 2025 with commitments for 118 helicoptersAirbus Helicopters wrapped up the 2025 edition of VERTICON with 118 commitments, including 63 firm orders, from customers worldwide for a variety of its multi-mission helicopters. Major highlights included more than 74 commitments for the H140, the new light twin-engined multi-mission helicopter that was unveiled at the show. Emergency medical services will be the first mission to enter into service for the H140. Major HEMS operators in the US and in Europe - Global Medical Response, ADAC Luftrettung, ÖAMTC Flugrettung, Air Methods, Stat MedEvac, Metro Aviation, and DRF Luftrettung - signed orders and letters of intent for the helicopter.
“The H140 was designed by customers for customers. Signing with some of the world’s most prominent EMS operators shows that the H140 has hit the mark,” said Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters. “I would like to thank our customers for placing their trust in Airbus. The essential missions they perform with our helicopters is a tremendous source of pride for everyone in the company. VERTICON has proved to be a key moment in the year to connect with our customers and to celebrate what they do,” he added.
South Korea:Eve and UI Helicopter collaborate to accelerate AAM in South KoreaThe companies will develop technical, ecosystem and infrastructure expertise the nation needs to harness Advanced Air Mobility.Eve Air Mobility and UI Helicopter, South Korea’s leading helicopter operator and maintenance provider, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to cultivate the industry’s ecosystem in South Korea.
Through their combined expertise, Eve and UI Helicopter will collaborate to introduce eVTOL technical, operational and ecosystem requirements to the local government and industry in South Korea. “Advanced air mobility has the potential to reinvent global mobility, particularly in the dense urban areas that need it most,” explained Johann Bordais, CEO of Eve. “We’re proud to share Eve’s resources in technical and ecosystem development with UI Helicopter to develop a technically rigorous AAM infrastructure.”
Washington, DC:NBAA welcomes nomination of Bryan Bedford as FAA AdministratorThe National Business Aviation Association has welcomed President Trump’s nomination of pilot and aviation industry veteran Bryan Bedford to lead the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), noting Bedford’s proven organizational leadership, and the importance of a confirmed administrator in providing consistency and continuity at the agency. Bryan Bedford. “Bryan Bedford’s depth of experience as a business leader, his firsthand knowledge of aviation as a pilot and airline executive, and his reputation for innovation make him well qualified to serve as FAA administrator,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “Upon his Senate confirmation, we look forward to working with Bryan as the FAA redoubles its focus on aviation safety, including the people, facilities and equipment in the National Airspace System.” Bedford, a pilot with more than three decades’ experience in aviation, serves as CEO of Republic Airways. He previously led Mesaba Airlines and Business Express Airlines. He holds commercial, multi-engine and instrument pilot ratings.
Washington, DC:NBAA names five industry leaders to its Board and Advisory CouncilThe National Business Aviation Association has announced that FlightAware Founder and BakerVentures CEO Daniel Baker and 4AIR President Kennedy Ricci have been appointed to NBAA’s Board of Directors.Additionally, Clay Lacy Chief Commercial Officer Joe Barber, CAM; Avfuel Corporation Executive Vice President C.R. Sincock, II and Executive Vice President and Managing Director of Aviation at Garmin International Inc. Phil Straub have been named to the association’s Advisory Council. “NBAA is excited to welcome these leaders to the association’s board and advisory council,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “They bring decades of experience not only in business aviation, but other sectors including finance, technology, sustainability and philanthropy to their work with NBAA, which will be invaluable to the association and industry.”
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Five years ago this week saw the onset of lockdowns due to Coronavirus, which resulted in the grounding of almost all aircraft operations over the following month.In Week 11 2020 there were 56,815 business jet sectors flown globally, an increase of 2% compared to the previous year, according to WINGX`s weekly Global Market Tracker published today. This year, Week 11 (10th-16th March), global business jet departures grew 4% compared to Week 11 in 2024, matching the last 4-week trend. Bizjet aircraft flying commercially (Part 135 & 91K) recorded a 5% increase in departures compared to Week 11 last year, again matching the last 4-week trend. So far in March, 163,699 bizjet departures have been recorded, up 2% compared to last year. Year to date (1st January - 16th March 2025), business jet and turboprop departures and flight hours are 2% ahead of last year. North America In Week 11, business jet departures from the US were 5% ahead of Week 11 in 2024, activity in Florida on par with W11 2024, California down 2%. Activity in Texas streaked ahead, departures up 17% compared to Week 11 in 2024.
London, UK and Santa Cruz, California:Virgin Atlantic partners with Joby to develop UK eVTOL air taxi networkCalifornia-based Joby Aviation has announced a partnership with Virgin Atlantic that will see the companies partner on the launch of Joby’s revolutionary air taxi service in the UK.The partnership builds on an existing agreement between Joby and Delta Air Lines - which owns a 49 percent stake in Virgin Atlantic - to launch service in the US and UK, and brings together brands committed to innovation, customer service and challenging the status quo.
The partnership aims to offer seamless, zero-emission, short-range journeys across the UK, starting with regional and city connections from Virgin Atlantic’s hubs at Heathrow and Manchester Airport. Virgin Atlantic will support Joby’s go-to-market efforts in the UK through marketing the service to their customers, engaging regulators alongside Joby and helping to build support for the development of landing infrastructure at key airports.
Stans, Switzerland:'The Most Advanced Single has landed' - Pilatus introduces the PC-12 PROWith a completely new cockpit, innovative safety functions such as Autoland, Smart Glide and Electronic Stability, plus a new interior finishes and color schemes, the brand-new PC-12 PRO is the most technologically advanced, best-performing and most reliable aircraft in its class.
At the core of the new PC-12 PRO is its updated “Advanced Cockpit Environment” - ACE, powered by the Garmin G3000 PRIME Integrated Flight Deck. Fully customized by Pilatus, features such as Pilatus’ proprietary Cursor Control Device, track-based synthetic vision, and exclusive visual customization provide Pilatus pilots with superior solutions for ease of operation in all flight conditions.
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 United Kingdom:An electric future for Loch Lomond SeaplanesLoch Lomond Seaplanes, the first scheduled seaplane airline in Europe since the 1950s, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Norway’s Elfly Group for two nine-seat NOEMI (No Emission) seaplanes, with an option to acquire three more.The commitment represents a major milestone in forging a new era of efficient, sustainable air travel which will revitalise routes across Scotland and the rest of the British Isles, showcasing the potential of electric aviation in linking regional communities, efficiently and sustainably. Collaboration between the two companies will not only introduce electric aviation to Scotland, but also focus on advancing operational excellence, regulatory advocacy, and the development of a supportive infrastructure for seaplane operations.
The NOEMI seaplane, with its 200km (125 miles) range, amphibious design and a 200km/h (125mph) cruising speed, will be able to connect major population hubs separated by five or six hour-long train rides with a 45-minute flight and help unlock the latent economic potential in coastal communities. Since 2004 Loch Lomond Seaplanes (LLS) has flown almost 200,000 passengers, more than 1.9 million miles around Scotland. Based next to the five-star Cameron House Hotel on the banks of Loch Lomond, in the heart of Scotland’s first national park, the company is regarded as one of the world’s foremost seaplane operators.
Nuremberg, Germany:FAI reports steady 2024 revenues and advances fleet renewalFAI Aviation Group, one of the world’s leading global providers of mission-critical aviation services, announces consolidated group revenues of €130m in 2024. This matches the group’s revenues achieved in 2023.FAI continues its fleet renewal programme and has added a second Learjet 60 XR to its 16-strong fleet of Bombardier aircraft. The aircraft (D-CFAQ) replaces one of its four legacy Learjet 60s. The company intends to replace all its remaining Learjet 60’s with the XR-Model within the next 24 months. Concurrently, FAI is eyeing Bombardier Challenger 605 and Global 6000 aircraft to replace its existing six legacy Bombardier Challenger 604 and five Global Express BD 700 aircraft, respectively. Closure of Berlin MRO In further news, FAI Technik, the MRO division of FAI Aviation Group confirms it will close its Berlin maintenance base at “Willy Brandt” Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) by March 31st. The move follows a lengthy period of unsuccessful negotiations with the airport company to acquire lease land for developing a purpose-built state-of-the-art hangar facility.
BBGA:BBGA CEO Marc Bailey is this year’s outstanding contribution to aviation award recipientMarc Bailey, CEO of The British Business and General Aviation Association, is this year’s recipient of the prestigious Michael Wheatley Award for Outstanding Services to Aviation.Marc celebrates 15 years steering the largest national business aviation association in Europe, following a four-decade career working with blue chip aerospace organisations including British Airways and Cobham. He started his career as a technician apprentice with BA predecessor BOAC at London Heathrow. Presenting him with the accolade coinciding with the Association’s annual conference and AGM on 11th March at London’s Royal Leonardo Hotel, London City, BBGA Chair Aoife O’Sullivan thanked Marc for his stellar contribution on behalf of the Association’s near 200-members, including successfully navigating BBGA through the pandemic.
London:Business Aircraft Market 2025ALTEA suggests values will stagnate and considers that the traditional customer base for Bombardier's GLOBAL may shift away from the USAfter the industry’s knowledgeable investors and financiers shared experiences at the Corporate Jet Investor Conference in London earlier this month, Andrew Butler, at specialist aviation consulting firm, ALTEA, took time to reflect on the market availability for the ultra-long-range business jets and offer a general perspective.“At the end of 2024 we saw a total of around 3,100 business aircraft available on the open market - an increase YoY of some 20%. This represents a marked increase with 7.3% of the global business aircraft fleet for sale up from 3.6% in 2022, and 9.2% back in 2019 (pre-pandemic).”  Andrew Butler. Butler notes that the number of business aircraft openly available reached over 3,000 units for the first time since April 2021 and importantly he highlights a shorter span of days on the market - with aircraft averaging around 200 days to sell, down from nearly a 400-day average early in 2021. The low point in availability during that period being some 1,400 units for sale in March 2022 when supply was limited really to only aircraft that no one wanted. “Ultra long-range large cabin Gulfstream aircraft have seen an increase of availability of some 25% YoY - with 66 available aircraft at year end 2024 against 52 at year end 2023,” says Butler. “We observe that some ‘new’ aircraft owners have stepped into ownership a little blindly and they quickly realise that the ‘fashion accessory' of a large cabin Gulfstream is an overstretch for what they need. Too many new owners go for the longest range they can afford, only to discover it’s the wrong ‘fit’ for their needs. Seasoned and properly advised owners choose the right aircraft at the outset.”
Oxford, UK:UK National Police Air Service orders seven Airbus H135sAirbus Helicopters has been selected by the UK’s National Police Air Service (NPAS) to supply seven H135 helicopters as the initial phase of its fleet renewal programme.The firm order is the first output of a Framework Contract, signed with the BlueLight Commercial procurement agency, which confirms Airbus as the exclusive supplier of helicopters for NPAS for up to six years.
“With over 100 calls for air support each day, the National Police Air Service plays a unique and valuable role in saving lives, disrupting criminality and protecting communities," said NPAS Chief Operating Officer and Accountable Manager Chief Superintendent Vicki White. "The aircraft we currently operate were transferred to NPAS from individual police forces when the national service was formed over 13 years ago and, as such, they are some of the oldest and most-flown aircraft of their type in any UK fleet.” “We very much look forward to working with Airbus on this exciting project and anticipate receiving the first of our seven new aircraft in 2027.”
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FL Technics opens in-house sewing shop under EASA Part-21G approval
Global MRO services provider, FL Technics, is expanding services by opening its approved in-house sewing shop and offering a broader range of products to clients.
The new sewing capability will include a wide selection of products, related to the aircraft cabin and convenience of the passengers, such as aircraft seat covers, curtains, blankets, bags, straps, and more for airlines, leasing companies, and other clients in Europe, the Middle East, South-East Asia, North Africa, and Central Asia.
“The expansion was a natural step towards the company’s development and business growth," commented Donaldas Barkauskas, Head of Aviation Design and Production Department at FL Technics.
"FL Technics provides modifications for various commercial aircraft types under EASA Part-21J and now, having sewing services in-house, we will ensure more efficient design solutions for our customers.”
Sewing services within the organization will also ensure a smoother process between the Design Organization Approval (DOA) and the sewing shop. FL Technics will be able to provide a full scope of services including DOA, POA, and base maintenance, from the initial request to the final product installation.
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