Your essential weekly digest of International Business and Private Aviation Industry news
Washington, DC:General Aviation provides robust contribution to US economyStudy reveals GA supports over 1.3m jobs and $339bn in economic output.The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) has joined with seven other aviation groups in welcoming an updated study detailing the robust contributions of general aviation to the US economy. Conducted by PwC US Tax LLP, the updated study - 'Contribution of General Aviation to the US Economy in 2023' - determined that general aviation (GA) supports a total of 1,330,200 jobs and a total of $339.2bn in total economic output in the US Both figures are sizable increases over an initial PricewaterhouseCoopers study conducted five years ago.
The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA), Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO), National Air Transportation Association (NATA), Vertical Aviation International (VAI) and NBAA sponsored the study. Leaders of the associations were encouraged by the study’s depiction of the significant contribution that the general aviation industry has on the US economy. “This study powerfully demonstrates general aviation’s essential and growing role in creating jobs, supporting economic activity, connecting communities and helping companies of all sizes succeed, nationally and in every state,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. Houston, Texas:Universal integrating its professional flight planning services with ForeFlightCombines Universal’s expertise with the ForeFlight platform.Universal Weather and Aviation, Inc. has announced an agreement with ForeFlight, a Boeing Company, to develop a proprietary system-to-system
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According to WINGX`s weekly Global Market Tracker published today, 74,530 business jet departures were recorded worldwide in week 8 (17th-23rd February), 3% more than W8 last year, 4% down from the last rolling 52 week high of 77,678 departures recorded in W42 of 2024.Part 135 and 91K sectors stretched 8% ahead of W8 last year, matching the yearto-date trend, although still 3,332 departures short of the last rolling 52 week high in Week 29 of 2024. Year-to-date NetJets has flown a quarter of Part 135&91K departures, up from 24% market share of Part 135&91k departures in 2024. United States US business jet activity in Week 8 rose 2% compared to last year, Part 135 & 91K sectors 8% ahead of last year. Florida saw 4% gains on last year, California and Texas saw 6% gains on Week 8 last year. So far this year Florida is a hotbed of bizjet activity, 17% of all bizjet departures from the United States this year originating from the Sunshine State. Florida bizjet activity is up 7% compared to last year, ahead of the US-wide trend of +4%. Fractional operators have increased their flight activity by 13% compared to last year and now account for 24% of business jet departures from Florida this year.
Utica, New York:JETNET releases 2024 pre-owned business aircraft market performance reviewBizav market intelligence provider, JETNET, has unveiled its comprehensive 2024 Pre-Owned Business Aircraft Market Performance Review, offering key insights into inventory growth, pricing trends, and sales activity across the sector.
"The 2024 pre-owned business aircraft market demonstrated significant supply-side growth, with inventory levels rising sharply across all segments,” said Paul Cardarelli, Vice President of Sales at JETNET. “While pricing trends varied, the market remained resilient, and strong Q4 sales activity underscored continued buyer demand.” Inventory growth signals strong supply trends
Washington, DC:Aviation fraternity bestows highest honor on NBAA's Ed Bolen for industry leadershipThe professional collegiate aviation fraternity Alpha Eta Rho (AHP) has awarded its namesake honor to National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) President and CEO Ed Bolen for his decades of service to the aviation industry and his commitment to engaging and educating its future leaders.
NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “We are pleased to present Ed with our highest award in recognition of the role he and NBAA have played in reenforcing Alpha Eta Rho’s mission of helping today’s students become tomorrow’s aviation leaders,” said AHP CEO Ben O’Brien. “We look forward to strengthening our partnership with Ed and NBAA in the future.” The award was presented at AHP’s inaugural Collegiate Aviation Symposium, held on February 24th and 25th in Columbus, OH.
United Kingdom:Oriens Aviation marks 10 years of operationsOriens Aviation is celebrating 10 years of operations this month.Recently settled into its expanded hangar facilities at its London Biggin Hill Airport HQ, the company is looking forward to imminently welcoming an additional PC-12 on to its Air Operator’s Certificate, which will primarily be tasked with air ambulance missions.
Later this Spring it will add the first PC-24 to its charter operation, alongside an existing Part-NCC HondaJet. Oriens Aviation has diversified and grown significantly since it was first incorporated in 2015 by CEO Edwin Brenninkmeyer, with one employee. It has evolved into a thriving Authorised Centre for Pilatus and Tecnam and since summer 2022, a Cirrus Aircraft MRO partner.
Abu Dhabi, UAE:Tawazun Council and Mubadala invest in UAE's aerospace future with state-of-the-art Al Ain MRO facilityFirst-of-its-kind engine MRO in MENA and South Asia, developed by Sanad in collaboration with Pratt & Whitney.Tawazun Council and Mubadala Investment Company are partnering to reshape the aerospace landscape with a cutting-edge aircraft engine Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility in Al Ain.
This strategic collaboration underscores the UAE's commitment to becoming a global aerospace leader and will significantly contribute to the nation’s economy. Announced at IDEX 2025, this landmark project establishes the first engine MRO of its kind in the MENA and South Asia regions. Developed by Sanad in collaboration with Pratt & Whitney - a global leader in aerospace technologies - the state-of-the-art Al Ain facility will provide comprehensive MRO services and empower a new generation of Emirati talent.
Sharjah, UAE:Gama Aviation's Sharjah FBO breaks passenger records in 2024Major developments set to expand FBO footprint.Gama Aviation has announced record passenger numbers for 2024 - 10 years since opening its FBO in Sharjah.This achievement reinforces the company's strong growth in the sector and aligns with the brand’s continued investment in its FBO network.
With a focus on further expanding its FBO footprint, two major developments are set to redefine its offerings in 2025: a new FBO and hangar facility at Sharjah International Airport, UAE, and another in Jersey, Channel Islands. These projects, along with strong performance at the Glasgow FBO, underscore Gama Aviation’s commitment to delivering world-class facilities and seamless aviation experiences.
Melbourne, Australia:Textron expands capabilities in Australia with new service facility at Essendon Fields AirportTextron Aviation has announced an expansion of its footprint in Australia with the construction of a larger and modernized service facility at Essendon Fields Airport in Melbourne to maximize support for Cessna, Beechcraft and Hawker customers in the region.
The new facility will add more space for servicing aircraft, aiding in faster scheduling with minimal down time to keep customers flying. Construction is set to begin March 2025 and Textron Aviation expects to be fully functional in the new facility by early 2026. |
 United Kingdom:Air Charter Service passes 30,000 flights in one year for the first timeLeading aircraft charter specialist, Air Charter Service, has surpassed 30,000 flights in a single year for the first time, marking a major milestone as the company prepares to celebrate its 35th anniversary.Chris Leach, Founder and Chairman of ACS, said of the milestone: “In 2024 we arranged 30,290 flights, which is a magnificent achievement in one year. That means that, on average, a flight arranged by ACS took off somewhere around the world every 17 and a half minutes on every day in 2024.
Chris Leach. “We experienced our busiest ever summer months and finished the year exceptionally strongly, as it was touch and go at the end of November as to whether we would pass the landmark figure. When I started the company 35 years ago, in my family home’s basement, we were only arranging a handful of flights; and to think that now more than three ACS chartered flights take off every hour is an incredible achievement by our teams across the world. “The sheer diversity of what we flew and where we flew every year is also remarkable. Flights arranged by us were an integral part of evacuations and relief missions, helped international superstars complete world tours, and even relocated 39 rhinos for a crucial conservation project! "Over those 30,290 flights, we used more than 1,400 airlines, and I’d like to thank them all, for supporting our business and helping us charter aircraft to more than 200 countries in 2024."
Dubai, UAE:HADID strengthens IAE partnership with 50% acquisition of IAA GCCHADID International Services and Intercontinental Aviation Enterprise (IAE) have announced the establishment of Intercontinental Aviation Academy GCC (IAA GCC), marking a significant milestone in aviation training within the region.Building on their strategic partnership, HADID and IAE are now officially commencing IAA GCC’s operations to serve the increasing demand for world-class aviation training.
Mohamad Hadid Chairman of HADID (left) with Wissam Mehyou Chairman of IAE. IAA GCC has chosen Ras Al Khaimah International Airport (RKT/OMRK) as its primary training hub in the GCC, reinforcing its commitment to a comprehensive, hands-on training model. The academy will feature a modern fleet of high-performance training aircraft, advanced simulators, and state-of-the-art facilities to equip future aviation professionals with the skills and experience needed for success. The partnership between HADID and IAE was formalised at the Arab Aviation Summit 2025 in Saudi Arabia, where HADID acquired a 50% stake in IAA GCC. The summit, which hosts key aviation leaders from across the GCC and Middle East, served as the ideal platform to highlight IAA GCC’s vision and dedication to the future of aviation education in the region.
Germany:Lilium files for bancruptcy as rescue deal collapsesGerman eVTOL aircraft developer Lilium has again filed for insolvency after an investor's group pledge to provide more than €200m to relaunch the company failed to materialise.In a statement issued on February 21st, the company said; “While talks about alternative solutions are still ongoing, the chance for restructuring right now is highly unlikely and therefore operations will be stopped. “Given the situation, this is deeply regretful for all employees and Lilium Aerospace thanks them for their resilience and dedication." At its peak, Lilium employed more than 1,000 people and was working towards the first flight tests of a full-scale version of its Jet eVTOL aircraft before it ran out of funding in October 2024. Lilium had planned to construct six test aircraft to progress through to EASA certification with an entry-into-service during 2026.
Zurich, Switzerland:Azzera adds new ReFuelEU module to CELESTE platform to simplify complianceNew module builds on existing platform to manage and enable streamlined compliance for business and commercial aviation operators.Sustainability solutions provider Azzera has commercialized a powerful new module designed to help business and commercial aviation operators seamlessly comply with the monitoring and reporting requirements of the European Union’s (EU) new ReFuelEU mandate.This latest enhancement to its CELESTE platform underscores Azzera’s commitment to simplifying emissions management and sustainability compliance with an intuitive, all-in-one solution. To support aircraft operators navigate the complex ReFuelEU regulations easily and effectively, Azzera’s new ReFuelEU module in its CELESTE platform offers sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) inventory management, enabling operators to monitor SAF usage, track sources and certifications, and manage fuel stocks efficiently. A key feature of this module is its ability to automatically generate ReFuelEU compliance reports at the push of a button, ensuring that operators meet regulatory requirements efficiently and accurately, reducing operators’ administrative workload.
United Kingdom:Serious consequences for charters operating without a valid UK Foreign Carrier Permit, warns BBGAThere will be serious consequences if non-UK Air Carriers disobey rules and operate commercial business aviation charters in and out of UK airports without obtaining the necessary Foreign Carrier Permit (Charter Permit), The British Business General Aviation Association (BBGA) warns.BBGA highlighted a recent flight when an overseas operator, flying an international celebrity, flew from continental Europe to the UK, taking off without the required Foreign Carrier charter permit.
Another worrisome scenario is when a charter permit is impossible to secure in the timeframe available and an AOC operator, desperate to operate the trip, chooses to file the flight ‘private.’ The charter client may be totally unaware that the operator is flouting the rules to get revenue in.
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Tackling air rage - Artemis investigates
Air rage used to be a rare occurrence, but these days incidents are regularly hitting the headlines. Artemis Aerospace investigates and finds out how airlines are handling safety when dealing with enraged passengers.
Air rage is the term used to describe uncontrolled anger from a passenger which manifests itself in aggressive or violent behaviour. It may seem to be a recent development, but in fact the first recorded incident was in 1947 when a drunk man assaulted a flight attendant and another passenger during a flight from Havana to Miami.
However, the increase in these incidents has been particularly noticeable in the last twenty years and, post-pandemic, there has been a huge rise in cases of air rage. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recorded 1,900 reports of air rage in 2023, with 57% of flight attendants reporting assault or harassment by a passenger. Air rage incidents are extremely frightening for those involved, and can cause delays, cancellations or even re-routing of flights. In 2019 when a woman assaulted cabin crew, made threats to other passengers and tried to open the aircraft door while the plane was in the air, it was considered to be such a security risk that two RAF jets were scrambled to escort the aircraft back to Stansted.
Cabin crew are routinely having to deal with extreme disruption by angry passengers which includes verbal abuse, refusal to comply with safety procedures, drunken brawling, violence, sexual assault, indecency and threats to the safety of the aircraft.
What is causing this rise in unacceptable in-flight behaviour? Various reasons have been put forward such as increased ticket prices, overbooking, frequent cancellations and reduced quality of service. Being crammed into a small space for hours with people who may kick the back of the seat or recline it into someone else’s space, queues for the loo, noise, dehydration and claustrophobia can all be factors, and there is no doubt that the pandemic has fuelled a rise in mental health issues, which can result in anxiety or panic attacks and make people act unusually.
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