Your essential weekly digest of International Business and Private Aviation Industry news
 Wichita, Kansas: NBAA mourns the passing of President and CEO Ed BolenThe National Business Aviation Association has announced with profound sadness the passing of Ed Bolen, an industry giant who led NBAA for nearly a quarter century as president and CEO. Bolen had been fighting cancer, forcing him to take medical leave and retire from an industry he had championed for more than 40 years.
Ed Bolen. Since announcing his retirement on November 6th, NBAA has received a tremendous outpouring of support for Bolen, with messages crediting his legacy and friendship from every corner of the industry. “We are filled with incredible sadness about Ed,” said Dan Hubbard, NBAA Acting CEO and SVP, Communications. “Ed was not just our colleague - he was a friend and a mentor to many of us. He accomplished so much, and did so with grace and humility. "On behalf of the entire NBAA team, we send our condolences and prayers to Beth, Jack, Robert and all of Ed’s family, in this incredibly difficult time.” Just yesterday (November 10th), in recognition of his extensive contributions and leadership in aviation, Bolen was inducted into the Kansas Aviation Hall of Fame for his advocacy on safety, airport and airspace access, workforce development, air traffic control modernization and many other key priorities. While Bolen himself could not be present, NBAA leadership and members of his family were on hand to celebrate his unwavering dedication and service to the industry he loved.
Mirabel, Canada: Magnifica Air confirms order for 10 Airbus ACJ220sFlorida-based private airline Magnifica Air has placed a firm order for ten Airbus ACJ220-300s, confirming an order previously listed as undisclosed in Airbus’ order book. The aircraft will form part of a planned fleet that also includes three ACJ321neos, with the airline initially targeting a total of 17 aircraft. Magnifica Air, which was unveiled at NBAA-BACE 2025, plans to operate a fleet of specially configured aircraft aimed at the premium private air travel market.
Each ACJ220-300 will feature a low-density cabin layout, offering additional passenger space and comfort on mid-haul routes. The aircraft can fly up to 4,000nm, connecting major US cities with destinations in the Caribbean and Europe. Alongside the aircraft order, Magnifica has selected Airbus' Skywise digital solutions, including data analytics, flight planning, operations and crew management systems, to support its flight and technical operations.
West Harrison, New York: Los Angeles approves two new Sky Harbour hangar developments at Van NuysSky Harbour Group has secured Los Angeles City Council approval for two ground leases at Van Nuys Airport, paving the way for new business aviation hangar developments. The proposed projects will form part of Sky Harbour’s network of Home Base Operator (HBO) campuses, providing dedicated hangar facilities for business aircraft operators. The ground leases are expected to be formally executed in the coming weeks. Van Nuys is one of the busiest general aviation airports in the US and a major gateway for business aviation in the Los Angeles area. Sky Harbour CEO Tal Keinan said the company had received strong interest from local operators in its HBO model and thanked the City Council, airport commissioners and Los Angeles World Airports for their support. The developments are expected to attract significant private investment to the airport and create or support hundreds of local construction and operational jobs.
Brazil: Eve and FlyBIS sign binding agreement for up to 12 eVTOLs in Southern BrazilEve Air Mobility and FlyBIS Aviation have announced the signing of a binding agreement for up to 12 electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The agreement comprises two firm orders and purchase rights for ten additional units, and builds on the Letter of Intent the companies announced in 2022, advancing their collaboration to establish electric air mobility operations in Brazil. FlyBIS plans to deploy Eve’s eVTOL in Southern Brazil, initially connecting destinations in Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul.
“This binding agreement is an important step in our relationship with FlyBIS and demonstrates how our customers are progressing from early market development to concrete fleet commitments,” said Johann Bordais, Chief Executive Officer of Eve.
Orlando, Florida: NBAA honors Signature Aviation for its efforts to combat human traffickingAl Ueltschi Award for Humanitarian Leadership recognizes the company’s work equipping aviation professionals to identify and report suspected trafficking.The National Business Aviation Association has awarded Signature Aviation the association’s 2026 Al Ueltschi Award for Humanitarian Leadership for its commitment to combating human trafficking, in part through collaboration with NBAA and other stakeholders. Through NBAA’s Operation Flightline initiative, Signature Aviation is helping equip aviation professionals with the knowledge and tools to recognize potential signs of human trafficking and report suspected cases.
Developed in collaboration with NBAA and the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE), the initiative was unveiled earlier this year at NBAA’s International Operators Conference (IOC). How is Signature Aviation helping combat human trafficking?
Western Aircraft Alfredo GarciaWestern Aircraft, a Greenwich AeroGroup company headquartered in Boise, Idaho, has named Alfredo Garcia director of MRO sales and marketing. Garcia has more than 30 years of aviation experience in FAA Part 145 and Part 135 maintenance operations, regulatory compliance and MRO sales. He comes to Western Aircraft from ACI Jet MRO, where he had been director of sales and business development since 2023. Before ACI Jet, Garcia spent eight years as a regional manager for Duncan Aviation and also led West Coast Aircraft Maintenance as general manager, FAA accountable manager and sales manager. Garcia also spent nine years with Cessna Aircraft Co.’s Citation Service Center network as Southwest sales manager and return-to-service inspector. He started in 1994 at Garrett Aviation, working his way from the engine shop to mechanic, inspector and customer project manager. Garcia holds an FAA airframe and powerplant certificate from Northrop University and a business certificate from the University of Phoenix. He serves on the NBAA Maintenance Committee, chairs the Southern California Aviation Association Technical Committee and serves on the association’s board of directors.
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Global business jet activity fell by 6.0% year-on-year in Week 45 (2–8 November), with just over 76,300 departures against 81,238 in the same week last year. The decline coincided with the US midterm elections on 3 November. In the US, election weeks have consistently run below the autumn trend, and last year’s comparison week had no federal election. Over the last four weeks, activity is down 2.2%, while the year-to-date trend remains 2.8% ahead at almost 3.47 million departures. North America fell 6.4% and Europe 3.1%, and Central America was the weakest sub-region at −24.0%. South America (+11.2%) and Africa (+10.5%) were the strongest. JETNET data shows 1,771 business jets for sale, 6.9% of the in-service fleet of 25,775 jets. 60 new listings came to market during the week, down from 67 in Week 44. What Drove the Week North America took 4.69 points off global growth, almost four-fifths of the total decline. Central America subtracted 0.70 points, the Middle East 0.43 points, Europe 0.37 points and South Asia 0.29 points. South America added 0.37 points and Other Africa 0.15 points, with smaller gains from the Caribbean, Central Asia and South East Asia.
Amsterdam: Jet Aviation expands Amsterdam Schiphol FBOJet Aviation has completed a refurbishment and expansion of its FBO at Amsterdam Schiphol, adding 400 square metres of space to the facility. The additional area brings the FBO's total footprint to around 1,000 square metres and includes a dedicated passenger lounge with flexible seating arrangements for larger groups, a meeting room, extra office space for local aircraft operators and brokers, and storage for locally based aircraft.
The refurbishment follows a series of investments by Jet Aviation in its Amsterdam operation, including the introduction of on-site Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and investment in electric ground support equipment and vehicles.
Kissimmee, Florida: Future Flight Global plans Florida regional air service ahead of electric aircraft rolloutFuture Flight Global (FFG) has announced plans for a Florida regional air service, targeting a Q1 2027 launch using Pilatus PC-12 aircraft. The program is being developed with support from SUVA (Signature UrbanV Alliance) and S3Nova Partners to establish a practical service model ahead of future electric operations.
The announcement follows last week’s deposit-backed term sheet for 10 firm and 10 aircraft options, signed by FFG founder and chief executive officer Karan Singh and BETA founder and chief executive officer Kyle Clark while flying aboard a BETA ALIA aircraft. The agreement forms part of FFG's broader aircraft-agnostic strategy, with the initial Florida service intended to build customer relationships and commercial experience before future electric aircraft deployment.
One of the strongest El Niño events on record could peak towards the end of 2026. Cam Bolton-Wilson, Vice President of Government & Humanitarian - Americas at Chapman Freeborn, explains how severe weather disrupts humanitarian supply routes, what can be planned in advance and why aviation decisions made only after a crisis begins may already come too late.
The World Meteorological Organisation expects El Niño to reach very strong intensity before peaking towards the end of 2026 and to persist into early 2027. The resulting droughts, floods and crop damage could push 49 million more people into acute food insecurity, bringing the total to 274 million across 45 countries by the end of 2027, according to the World Food Programme. For humanitarian aviation, the main concern is how many crises could unfold at the same time.
Atlanta, Georgia: Wheels Up expands fleet with six factory-new Embraer Phenom 300EsWheels Up has signed a definitive agreement with Embraer to purchase six factory-new Phenom 300E premium jets for delivery in the second half of 2027. The agreement builds on a longstanding relationship between Wheels Up and Embraer and follows nearly three years of discussions regarding the acquisition of new aircraft. The direct purchase from Embraer is expected to further expand Wheels Up's fully modernized fleet and support the company's growth in anticipated customer demand.
The six newly purchased Phenom 300E aircraft will join the 29 Phenom 300/300E jets and 15 Bombardier Challenger 300 series aircraft that currently comprise Wheels Up's premium controlled fleet.
Columbus, Ohio: NetJets to add 800 jobs in major Columbus HQ expansionNetJets is planning a major expansion of its global headquarters in Columbus, Ohio, adding more than 365,000 sq ft of new facilities and creating approximately 800 additional jobs.
The multi-year project will see two new buildings constructed at the company's Bridgeway Avenue campus, providing additional office accommodation and a dedicated training centre for NetJets crewmembers. NetJets expects its Central Ohio workforce to increase to approximately 3,200 employees once the expansion is complete, reflecting an additional 800 positions.
Tampa, Florida: Joby brings eVTOL air taxi to FloridaJoby Aviation has begun a week of piloted electric air taxi flights across Florida, flying between Tampa, Orlando and the Space Coast as part of plans to develop the state’s Aerial Highway Network.
Joby’s vertical lift electric air taxi flies over Tampa, Florida, on Thursday, Oct. 29, ahead of the state’s first eIPP flights. The flights will include demonstrations at Orlando International Airport and Kennedy Space Center, marking Florida’s first operations under the White House-backed eIPP (Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing Integration Pilot Program), announced by the US Department of Transportation in March 2026. The programme brings government and industry together to accelerate the safe integration of electric air taxis into US airspace.
Broomfield, Colorado: Jet Excellence to equip Citation X fleet with Gogo Galileo HDX connectivityGogo has announced that Jet Excellence, a leading US-based charter operator, will equip its entire fleet of Cessna Citation X aircraft with the Gogo Galileo HDX connectivity system.
Jet Excellence is also taking advantage of Gogo’s flexible financing solution, helping the operator manage the cost of upgrading all of its Citation X fleet while accelerating access to the latest high-performance inflight connectivity technology. The announcement follows receipt of an FAA Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for the installation of Gogo Galileo HDX on the Citation X.
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 London: ACC Aviation examines resilience as the ACMI market shiftsDespite one of the most challenging operating environments in recent years, the global aviation sector continues to demonstrate remarkable resilience. Drawing on key discussions from the ACC Airline Conference 2026, Dave Williams, Director of Leasing at ACC Aviation, explores how airlines and ACMI providers are adapting to a market shaped by geopolitical disruption, elevated fuel costs and continued economic uncertainty.
While the conflict in the Middle East has had a more significant impact on global aviation than the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, passenger demand has remained surprisingly robust. IATA reports a 0.5% year-on-year decrease in total passenger demand, with the global passenger load factor standing at 83.2%, just 0.3 percentage points lower than the previous year. Excluding the Middle East, global passenger demand actually increased by 0.3%, demonstrating that consumers continue to prioritise travel despite ongoing geopolitical uncertainty. Asia-Pacific Continues to Shape Global Aviation
Brussels: European pilots raise concerns over military interceptions of civilian airliners amid bomb threatsECA, IALPA and SNPL call for pilots’ decisions to be respected and warn against criminal prosecution of commanders acting to protect passengers and crew.The European Cockpit Association (ECA), representing over 44,000 professional pilots across Europe, together with its member associations in Ireland (IALPA) and France (SNPL), expresses serious concerns about the way some State authorities seem to have responded to recent bomb threats against European commercial aircraft. The events of recent days, during which multiple security threats have been made against aircraft operated by different European airlines, are unacceptable and pose a serious risk to aviation safety and flight operations across Europe. As representatives of the pilot profession, ECA, IALPA and SNPL fully recognise and appreciate the assistance provided by authorities in responding to these threats and supporting flight crews in bringing their passengers and aircraft to safety. However, reports indicate that, in certain circumstances, military aircraft have intercepted civilian airliners and directed aircraft commanders to land at specific airports without adequately considering aircrafts’ operational and safety requirements.
Lausanne, Switzerland: Simply Jet announces acquisition of FlyTyrolSimply Jet has announced the acquisition of 100% of FlyTyrol (ABC Bedarfsflug GmbH), a business aviation operator based in Innsbruck, Austria. Completed in early September, the transaction makes Simply Jet one of the few business aviation brokers in Europe to hold, within its group, an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) issued by the Austrian authority Austro Control. Founded in 2001, FlyTyrol employs 14 people. Its fleet consists of four aircraft based in Innsbruck and Salzburg, Austria. A Cessna Citation M2 and a Cessna Citation CJ3+ are available for charter, while a Cessna Citation CJ2+ and a Cessna Citation XLS are privately managed and used exclusively by their owners. FlyTyrol will retain its name and its entire staff. FlyTyrol will be able to draw on Simply Jet’s extensive charter network, as well as its support and expertise in marketing, finance, and IT.
Malta: DC Aviation Malta welcomes third Global 7500 to fleetDC Aviation Malta has announced the arrival of another Bombardier Global 7500, further expanding its fleet. The business jet will be operated on the Maltese AOC. Bringing the company’s total fleet to six aircraft, this addition underscores DC Aviation Malta’s growth strategy and commitment to operating a modern fleet of high-performance ultra-long-range business jets. “The addition of a third Global 7500 to our fleet is an important step in our growth strategy and reflects the experience we have developed in managing and operating Bombardier aircraft”, says Stanley Bugeja, Managing Director of DC Aviation Malta. “We continue to strengthen our ultra-long-range capabilities while remaining focused on providing our clients with a truly distinctive flight experience, tailored to their individual needs.”
Toulouse, France: Airbus: Business aviation seeing growing demand from governmentsAirbus Corporate Jets has published its latest research, based on a global survey of 280 business aviation financiers and brokers, revealing growing demand from governments and government departments to buy or charter business aircraft. The trend reflects an increasingly complex geopolitical environment and a rise in international diplomacy, driving demand for secure, flexible and reliable air transport.
Business aviation is taking on a broader role beyond traditional executive transportation, with aircraft supporting diplomatic travel, crisis response, humanitarian missions, medical evacuation and repatriation. For governments, these aircraft are becoming mission-critical assets capable of responding to complex operational needs at short notice.
Phoenix, Arizona: TBMOPA raises its flight safety focus at 2026 Annual ConventionThe TBMOPA (TBM Owners and Pilots Association) has taken its flight safety focus to a new level, dedicating the organization’s 2026 Annual Convention to three days of activities exploring the principles and practices of sound aeronautical decision-making. Held in Phoenix, Arizona, this year’s event attracted more than 300 attendees, including TBM owners/operators and their companions, equipment and services suppliers, along with representatives of Daher Aircraft - the TBM manufacturer and a key TBMOPA sponsor.
A total of 78 TBMs were flown to Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, representing the full family range: the TBM 700, TBM 850 and TBM 900-series, with these aircraft arriving from across the US, and from Canada, the Bahamas, Switzerland and South Africa. Included in this overall count were nine TBM 980s - the latest version that Daher Aircraft began delivering to international customers in January. The convention’s aeronautical decision-making theme addressed the decisions that pilots face throughout a flight, beginning with the go/no-go assessment and extending to hazard identification and risk management.
Bombardier plans 800 new US jobs as expansion drives wider employment growth No runway required: Electra takes off and lands Ultra Short airplane at Manhattan Heliport Axis Jet unifies charter operations and introduces FAA-approved pilot development program Air Charter Service adds European and Asian honours to award-winning year
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Bell delivers 2,000th Bell 407 helicopterBell Textron has delivered its 2,000th Bell 407 helicopter, marking a production milestone for the light single-engine type, which has been in service for nearly three decades. The milestone aircraft was handed over to White Saddle Air Services, a family-owned helicopter operator based at Bluff Lake, near Tatla Lake in British Columbia, Canada.
Photo: Bell Introduced in the 1990s, the Bell 407 has been used worldwide for a variety of roles, including corporate transport, utility work, emergency medical services, public safety and specialised missions. The latest version, the Bell 407GXi, introduced in 2018, features a Garmin G1000H NXi integrated flight deck, bringing updated avionics, improved situational awareness and reduced pilot workload. Bell said the delivery recognised the contribution of its workforce and the confidence of operators worldwide. Production takes place at the company's commercial centre of excellence in Mirabel, Quebec. With 2,000 aircraft delivered, the Bell 407 remains one of the established platforms in the global light helicopter market.
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