Denver and San Francisco:
Jeppesen ForeFlight has officially launched as a standalone digital aviation company following its separation from Boeing and acquisition by Thoma Bravo, a leading software investment firm, in an all-cash transaction valued at $10.55bn.
Brad Surak, who previously led the Digital Aviation Solutions business at Boeing, will lead Jeppesen ForeFlight as Chief Executive Officer.
"Backed by 90 years of Jeppesen's gold-standard data and ForeFlight's relentless spirit of exploration, this combination is building the most unified, intuitive platform in aviation," said Surak. "As we return to independence alongside a leader in software private equity investing, we're enabled to move faster, think bigger, and innovate."
With the industry's most comprehensive aeronautical data and a commitment to quality and safety, the company serves all four key aviation segments: Commercial, Business, Military and General Aviation. Jeppesen ForeFlight's suite of solutions from flight planning and dispatch to crew tracking, are seamlessly integrated to power digital aviation.
more
Broomfield, Colorado:
First successful end-to-end on-wing calls already completed.
Gogo has begun flight testing its next-generation 5G air-to-ground connectivity network for North American customers.
Optimizing a Pilatus PC-24 trials platform, the test team is flying on alternate days during the campaign to fully test the potential of the unrestricted Gogo 5G ATG broadband access.
Gogo’s engineering and software teams expect to complete the comprehensive test and validation program in 40 to 50 hours of flight time over several weeks.
The campaign is employing well-established trial techniques, beginning with simple procedures and culminating with fully loaded tests running multiple applications, including video calling, video streaming, and internet browsing, on multiple devices simultaneously.
more
Fort Lauderdale, Florida:
Signature Aviation has finalized an agreement to acquire Fort Lauderdale Executive Jet Center, a leading full-service private aviation terminal located at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (FXE).
With this acquisition, Signature expands its presence and service offerings across one of the busiest private aviation markets in the United States. The transaction officially closed on October 31, 2025, marking the integration of FXE into Signature’s global network of more than 200 locations spanning 27 countries across five continents.
As part of the agreement, Signature will acquire the 10,000 sq. ft. main terminal and over 100,000 sq. ft. of multi-use hangar and office space on 15 acres of land.
The complete facility at FXE will join other Signature destinations in the area - Boca Raton Airport, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, Miami International Airport, Miami Executive Airport, Opa-Locka Executive Airport, and Palm Beach International Airport.
“We’re excited to welcome Fort Lauderdale Executive Jet Center into the Signature family and network,” said Tony Lefebvre, chief executive officer, Signature Aviation. “Our focus on elevating every moment for our guests is at the forefront of everything we do, and we’re excited to expand our network access in South Florida with our Signature hospitality, service, and team member experience.”
more
Washington, DC:
As leaders around the globe prepare to congregate and discuss pressing climate change issues at COP30 in Brazil this November, business aviation stands ready with the industry’s most effective solution for emissions reductions in air travel: sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
Business aviation is committed to leading climate action and championing sustainability by pioneering the use of SAF. Our sector has been at the forefront of SAF adoption, driving both physical uplift and the development of book-and-claim systems that strategically expand SAF’s reach and impact globally.
Business aviation’s access to SAF is now unprecedented with over 100 FBOs worldwide offering direct uplift, while the robust book-and-claim process provides critical, proven options to effectively address emissions and promote investment directly into future SAF production.
more
West Harrison, New York:
Sky Harbour Group Corporation, a leading developer of Home Base Operator (HBO) campuses for business aircraft, announced a ground lease agreement with the City of Long Beach, California, to build a new Sky Harbour campus at Long Beach Airport (LGB), serving Long Beach, Orange County, and Greater Los Angeles.
The 17-acre, two-phase project will feature state-of-the-art hangars, offices, and ramp space designed to provide “the shortest time to wheels-up in business aviation.”
The development is expected to create hundreds of jobs and generate significant economic benefits for the region.
LGB becomes Sky Harbour’s 19th home-base location, joining operational campuses in Houston, Nashville, Miami, San Jose, Camarillo, Seattle, Phoenix, Dallas, and Denver, with additional sites under development nationwide.
more
Britten-Norman
Richard Milne
British aircraft manufacturer, Britten-Norman, has announced the appointment of Richard Milne as its Chief Operating Officer (COO).
The role has been created to provide key focus on efficient execution of deliveries, accelerating the company’s growth plans and scaling engineering operations and output.
Milne brings more than 30 years of aerospace leadership and expertise to the business, most recently serving as Manufacturing Engineering Director at GKN Aerospace. Having started his career as an aircraft fitter at Marshalls of Cambridge, Milne has since excelled in a multi-disciplinary engineering career that has involved leadership positions across aerospace design, maintenance and manufacturing.
As COO, Milne will oversee all day-to-day engineering operations at Britten-Norman, including design, manufacturing, supply chain, and aircraft maintenance operations, ensuring engineering and programme delivery are closely integrated.
His priorities will include driving greater efficiency with on-time delivery of aircraft and aftermarket support whilst maintaining world-class safety standards and the exceptional build quality and durability for which the Islander is world-renowned.
Bell
Danny Maldonado
Textron announces that Danny Maldonado has been named president & CEO of the Bell segment, effective January 4th, 2026.
Maldonado, currently Bell’s chief commercial officer (CCO), will succeed Lisa Atherton, who was recently appointed as president & CEO of Textron Inc.
As CCO, Maldonado is responsible for Bell’s global commercial aircraft sales, aftermarket solutions, the Bell Training Academy and new product development.
Prior to his role as CCO, Maldonado led Textron Financial Corp. as president & CEO for nine years and, prior to that, served as Bell’s executive vice president of sales and marketing.
He joined Textron in 1990 and has held leadership roles encompassing sales, business development, customer support and finance at Textron.
Commenting on the leadership transition, Textron Chairman and CEO Scott Donnelly said, “Danny is a proven leader with a long track record of success at Bell. He will lead Bell at an important time as we accelerate activity on the MV-75 program and continue to invest in leading commercial helicopter programs.”
|
WINGX Global Market Tracker:
|
|
 |
In Week 44 (27 Oct-2 Nov), global bizjet activity reached 73,356 departures, up 4% versus Week 44 of 2024.
On a rolling last four-week basis (W41-W44), global business jets have accumulated more than 312,000 departures, a 5% increase compared to the same period last year.
This four-week trend of 5% is in line with the global year-to-date (1 Jan-2 Nov) trend of 5%. There has all the same been a slight decrease in the pace of growth over the last few weeks.
Global business jets recorded over 348,000 departures in October, making it the busiest month of 2025 and marking the busiest month on record.
This represents a 5% increase compared to October 2024, an 8% increase to October 2022, and a staggering 36% increase to October 2019. |
|
“October smashed records with over 348,000 flights, the busiest month in our 20-year records.
Growth has slowed in the US, but picked up in Europe, and surging in ROW markets.
Hurricane Melissa has also brought into focus a very active role for business aviation in humanitarian and emergency support."
|
The United States dominated with 70% of global October activity, while the top five business aviation hubs, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, and Houston accounted for 17% of US flights.
full report
Dawit Lemma, Chairman of AfBAA and founder and CEO of Krimson Aviation, shares the new narrative for African Business Aviation. |
|
 |
Our series, African Skies, will explore the ongoing evolution of the African business aviation community from diverse perspectives. Aviation in Africa is changing, and the African Business Aviation Association (AfBAA) is working to ensure that it represents the entire community as it enters a new era.
This is an exciting time for aviation in Africa. The spending power of the rising middle class, the growth of new industries, and the introduction of initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) are actively encouraging trade and travel.
Across the continent, modernization of infrastructure and safety standards, and a growing demand for more diverse services, including medevac, drone delivery, and private aviation, are supporting economic development.
This presents both opportunities and challenges for the growing business aviation community, and, as their representative body, AfBAA is taking steps to ensure its members can fully leverage the benefits of these changes.
more
Montreal:
Bombardier’s Global 8000, the world’s fastest and longest-range four-zone business jet, is setting a new benchmark for passenger comfort with the lowest cabin altitude in its class.
Cruising at 41,000 feet, the Global 8000 maintains a cabin altitude of just 2,691 feet - the equivalent of standing atop the Burj Khalifa - ensuring passengers arrive at their destinations feeling refreshed, alert, and ready to perform.
With a top speed of Mach 0.95 and an unmatched range of 8,000 nautical miles, the Global 8000 combines industry-leading performance with a revolutionary inflight experience.
“The ultimate comfort in the sky is feeling like you’re at home,” said Stephen McCullough, Senior Vice President, Engineering and Product Development at Bombardier.
more
Fort Worth, Texas:
Bell appoints Tangmere Aircraft Sales as new UK and Ireland sales representative
Bell Textron has appointed Guernsey, Channel Islands-based Tangmere Aircraft Sales as a Bell 429, SUBARU Bell 412EPX, and Bell 525 authorized sales representative in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Tangmere, a specialist in fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft sales, will help expand Bell’s twin-engine presence in the region.
As an authorized Bell twin-engine sales representative, Tangmere Aircraft Sales will provide aircraft demonstration flights and work to promote Bell’s rotary solutions as the premier aircraft of choice in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
London:
London Biggin Hill Airport has successfully delivered its eighth Futures Week, welcoming fifteen students to take part in the early careers initiative designed to inspire young people interested in aviation.
From engineering and aircraft maintenance to air traffic control, business operations and customer service, the experience gives students a first-hand look at the diverse range of roles available across the sector.
Since its launch in 2022, Futures Week has supported more than 115 students in exploring career opportunities, many of whom have gone on to train or work with organisations including Bombardier, British Airways, Castle Air Aviation Group and the Royal Navy.
more
Basel, Switzerland:
Jet Aviation has been contracted by the Direction de la Maintenance Aéronautique (DMAé) to purchase three PC-24 aircraft for use by the French Navy.
The company will also provide comprehensive sustainment support, including on-site line and base maintenance and continuation of airworthiness management (CAMO) services, to ensure ongoing operational readiness and mission success.
“It has been a privilege to work together with the DMAé and Pilatus on the selection and acquisition of the new fleet of PC-24 for the French Navy,” says Jeremie Caillet, Jet Aviation’s president.
“With over 55 years of maintenance experience, including over 35 years working with governmental fleets, we are committed to providing our customers with solutions that are specifically tailored to meet their individual mission needs."
more
Cloud-native software used by Continuing Airworthiness Management Organisations (CAMOs), generally known simply as CAMO software, is gaining ground across the aviation sector.
Its advantages over traditional on-premise systems - including scalability and reduced IT overhead - have already been noted by multiple industry experts. One of them is Viktor Kondratjev, Head of Continuing Airworthiness Management Unit at FL Technics.
In this article, Mr. Kondratjev shares his insights regarding the current state of CAMO software - and where it might be headed in the foreseeable future.
more
|
Jamaica:
Following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa last week, the air charter industry has again stepped up to deliver relief goods to Jamaica, with ACS alone arranging charters carrying more than 200 tons of aid.
Ben Dinsdale, Air Charter Service’s Director for Government and Humanitarian Services, commented: “The hurricane struck last Tuesday (28th October), and was the strongest to hit the island since records began in 1851, with winds reaching 185mph.
ACS loading relief goods in Antigua for Montego Bay.
"There was at least fair warning that Melissa was going to strike Jamaica, so we had been in touch with NGOs and governments in preparation for potential relief flights.
“The air charter industry is always the first port of call when such disasters occur, and this was no different, with plans put in place before and directly after. We arranged the first non-military aid flight in last week, which was a Boeing B737-400F from Antigua into Montego Bay with 16 tons of shelter kits and blankets.
"Since then, we have booked charters through our London, Florida, California and Spanish offices, with several flights transporting more than 200 tons of aid in total throughout this week.
more
Vienna, Austria:
Leading training solutions provider, AXIS Flight Simulation, has achieved FAA Level D qualification for a Bombardier Challenger CL350 full-flight simulator (FFS) developed for Vista America, an operating partner of Vista.
The state-of-the-art CL350 FFS was unveiled at Vista America’s headquarters in Columbus, Ohio. The milestone marks AXIS’s first Level D CL350 FFS in the United States and the company’s third training device in the country - two of which are dedicated to business jet training.
The FFS is equipped with a Van Halteren motion system and RSi XT6 visual system, with a 200x45 field of view (FOV), as well as a Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 Advanced rehosted avionics system.
Optional features include Controller–Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC), an Electronic Checklist (ECL), and steep approach capability.
more
Vilnius, Lithuania:
How should airlines these days assess how well a pilot operates under pressure? And what red flags should they look for during the recruitment process?
Diako Rad, Director of Flight Operations, and Sandra Diaso, Head of HR, at premium VIP charter and ACMI provider KlasJet, share practical insights on pilot recruitment. This includes how to evaluate skills like communication, workload management, and decision-making, and what qualities are non-negotiable.
Thoroughness is the name of the game when it comes to evaluating pilots
The pilot selection process at any airline, including KlasJet, comprises multiple stages that assess a candidate’s technical skills and mindset, along with their experience, qualifications, and background.
Sandra Diaso.
“The first thing we look at are the necessary qualification criteria, including the number of hours and aircraft type the pilot has flown, along with medical checks and a valid licence with no more than 2 years since they last flew,” explains Sandra Diaso.
According to the airline's Head of HR, it would be pointless to invite a person to an interview without them passing the screening phase. During the interview, recruiters should focus on learning about the candidate's personality and to assess how they communicate. The interview should also cover aspects of cultural fit important to the airline’s specific needs.
more
Vilnius, Lithuania:
Narrow-body ACMI services provider and part of Avia Solutions Group, Avion Express, has announced 250 new pilot positions available worldwide for commercial pilots holding either EASA or ICAO licenses.
The announcement is part of the annual recruitment season, launched under the slogan “We take care of you. We take care of everything.” The message reflects the nature of the ACMI business model and highlights Avion Express’ commitment towards the flight crews operating on its behalf.
Kristina Mateikaite-Riepsiene.
Avion Express, looks forward to Captains and First Officers joining its operations in various regions across five continents. The company maintains a well-established presence in Europe, with pilots representing almost all EASA member states, while also expanding its reach globally.
A particular focus this year will be placed on Latin America, including Brazil, Mexico, Peru, Chile, Argentina, and other countries.
more
Zhengzhou, China:
Chapman Freeborn accelerates China expansion with new Zhengzhou office
Global air charter specialist Chapman Freeborn has opened a new office in Zhengzhou - currently its sixth in China, alongside Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Chengdu, and Shenzhen.
Chosen for its strategic location at the very heart of China - and its proximity to Xinzheng International Airport - the new office has opened following the recruitment of its team in September, and builds upon the company's efforts to gain a secure foothold in China, which date back to 2004.
The team will be guided by Ms. Huizi Zhao (Bella Zhao), who has recently joined Chapman Freeborn as the company’s manager for Central Greater China. Her responsibilities involve leading Chapman Freeborn’s charter and freight forwarding operations, driving commercial development, and ensuring high-quality delivery across the region.
Wichita, Kansas:
Bombardier's highly-influential Safety Standdown safety seminar will return to Wichita, KS for another year of invaluable knowledge-based training.
The dynamic three-day seminar, to be held on November 11th-13th in person and online, features unique learning opportunities, dynamic workshops and cutting-edge presentations by key industry thought leaders. This free safety seminar is open to all aviation professionals regardless of the aircraft type they operate.
The 2025 version of this industry-defining seminar centres around the concept of, “Own the Outcome,” and encourages all aviation professionals to take full responsibility for every decision, every procedure and every moment that impacts safety. In an industry where precision and accountability are non-negotiable, this theme reinforces the idea that safety is not left to chance – it’s the direct result of intentional choices and disciplined actions.
more
|
