Your essential weekly digest of International Business and Private Aviation Industry news
 Manassas, Virginia:Electra applies for FAA type certification for groundbreaking EL9 Ultra Short AircraftElectra.aero has submitted an application to the Federal Aviation Administration for Part 23 type certification of its nine-passenger EL9 hybrid-electric Ultra Short aircraft. Part 23 establishes the FAA’s airworthiness standards for airplanes with 19 passengers or fewer and is the regulatory pathway for certifying small aircraft for commercial passenger and cargo operations. The filing marks a significant step in transitioning the EL9 from technology development into the formal certification process.
Electra’s submission includes FAA Form 8110-12, the Project Specific Certification Plan (PSCP), and the EL9 Aircraft Specification, outlining the company’s proposed certification basis and approach to regulatory compliance. The filing reflects several years of coordinated engagement between Electra and the FAA through the Emerging Technology Section of Policy and Standards. “This certification application signals that the EL9 is fast becoming a reality and reflects the progress our team and the FAA have made together,” said Electra CEO Marc Allen.
Toluca, Mexico:Raising the bar: Universal Aviation Toluca FBO secures IS-BAH Stage IIUniversal Aviation Mexico’s Toluca FBO (MMTO) has achieved Stage II certification under the International Standard for Business Aircraft Handling (IS-BAH), marking a significant advancement in the maturity of its safety management practices. Universal Aviation Mexico first earned IS-BAH accreditation in 2023, establishing a formal Safety Management System (SMS) aligned with industry best practices for business aviation ground handling. The newly awarded Stage II certification confirms the effective implementation, operational use, and continuous improvement of that system, as validated through an independent audit conducted under the oversight of the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC). “Progressing to IS-BAH Stage II is an important milestone for Universal Aviation Mexico and a testament to the discipline and professionalism of the Toluca FBO team,” said Adolfo Aragón, CEO of Universal Aviation. “This achievement reflects how strong local execution, supported by consistent global standards, helps embed safety into daily operations and decision-making.” |
In Week 50 (8-14 Dec) 2025, global bizjet activity notched nearly 74,800 departures, only 1% busier than Week 50 2024. On a rolling last four-week basis (W47-W50), global business jets have reached just over 303,000 departures, a 4% increase compared to the same period last year.This four-week trend of 4% is slightly underperforming the global year-to-date (1 Jan-14 Dec) trend of 5% compared to 2024.
Through 14 December, global business jet activity reached 3.7 million departures, up 5% year-over-year. North America, the industry’s largest market with 2.6 million flights, mirrored this 5% growth rate. Europe, the second largest market, posted more muted gains of just 1%. Markets outside of North America and Europe demonstrated the strongest performance, with Africa leading at 15% growth, followed by South America (10%), the Middle East (8%), and Asia (4%).
London:Vertical Aerospace celebrates world premiere of Valo - the UK’s eVTOLAlison Chambers reports Festive tree lights twinkled outside The Pelligon, a unique event space in the heart of Canary Wharf last week as industry guests lucky to be invited to the ‘world premiere’ of Vertical Aerospace’s Valo eVTOL queued with expectation.
Claudia Winkleman bringing the celebrity to the Valo launch | Photo: Dave Bennett/Getty. The Show didn’t disappoint, Dramatic music, dry ice, compered by British television’s most popular entertainment host, Claudia Winkleman. No wonder the PR team were smiling. The previous day Claudia was at Windsor Castle receiving an MBE from The King. She bids farewell to BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing with the final this Saturday and her success in The Traitors has assured her own primetime chat show next year. Enough of the host. On to the main event.
Air medical transport can be understood in terms of urgency: the patient’s needs are critical, the air ambulance is a specialized asset, and the critical care team comprises a specialized medical crew delivering patient care at an altitude of 35,000 feet. That image is accurate, but incomplete. Behind every effective medical air evacuation is a team of individuals who contribute to the success of the mission.
The face of air medicine is usually the flight doctor, nurse and the critical care paramedics. It takes a unique combination of emergency medicine skills, the physiology of flight, risk management, and interpersonal skills to address patients and their families in the face of extreme stress. Their performance is only possible because of the supporting operational architecture that surrounds them. As a company closely involved in aeromedical dispatch, Medical Air Service has observed the performance dynamics of this group firsthand.
Mississauga, Ontario:Bombardier expands RCAF fleet with six advanced multi-role aircraftThe Government of Canada has purchased six Bombardier Global 6500 aircraft to perform worldwide utility flights and support missions such as aeromedical evacuations, disaster relief, humanitarian aid and national security operations.
Representatives from Bombardier and the federal government celebrated the agreement at Bombardier’s Global Aircraft Assembly Centre in the Greater Toronto Area, where the Global 6500 aircraft is assembled. Interior completion work on these aircraft will be performed in Greater Montreal. This order is valued for Bombardier at approximately $400m USD, based on the current list price for the Global 6500 aircraft and the cost of military modifications.
Zurich, Switzerland:JETEX invests in Azzera to advance sustainable aviation initiativesAviation sustainability provider Azzera Inc. announces that JETEX, a global leader in private aviation, is the latest strategic investor in the digital carbon-management platform. The new investment positions the technology platform to continue evolving functionality, grow its international footprint, and deliver new client-facing offsetting tools to its users’ customers.
Adel Mardini, CEO, JETEX (left) and Puja Mahajan, CEO, Azzera. The partnership, signed during Dubai Airshow 2025, marks a major step toward accelerating the industry’s transition to cleaner, lower-emission operations.
Aero Friedrichshafe 26:Fancy flying direct to AERO 26 from London?A UK team is looking to organise a direct charter flight from London Stansted to AERO Friedrichshafen next April. Organisers are BBGA Member Liz Moscrop, plus her longstanding ATOL-protected travel agent Tony Fowler, via a well known top industry charter broker. Prices are finalising now and there will be a special BBGA members rate. Click here to register interest and to be kept updated.
Have your say on ground handling rules: Deadline 31st January 2026New EU ground handling regulations are on the horizon. Liz Moscrop spoke to ATC Training’s Andrew Cumiskey - an expert on the subject - to get the lowdown.
Anyone impacted by this can reach out to Andrew for more information on how to get up to speed. If you're in the UK and want to have your say, go to the CAA UK website before January 31, 2026.
Independence, Kansas:15 new Cessna aircraft strengthen Civil Air Patrol’s lifesaving and community effortsCivil Air Patrol (CAP), the world’s largest operator of Cessna aircraft, is strengthening its national mission capabilities with an order for 15 additional piston-engine aircraft, including seven Cessna Skyhawk 172 and eight Cessna Skylane 182 models scheduled for delivery throughout 2026.
The order follows recent deliveries of an additional two Cessna Skylane and one Cessna Turbo Stationair HD aircraft, expanding CAP’s fleet to more than 500 Cessna aircraft nationwide. |
 Brussels, Belgium:New EBACE26 dates confirmed as EBAA unveils its most competitive pricing yetThe European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) has announced updated dates for EBACE26, now scheduled to take place from Tuesday 2nd June to Thursday 4th June 2026 at Palexpo and Geneva Airport, with the dedicated media day returning on Monday 1st June. The new timing follows a detailed review of the broader events calendar globally, alongside discussions with exhibitors, the EBACE Advisory Council and other key stakeholders. The decision aims to strengthen the value and overall experience of the show for exhibitors, attendees and partners. Stefan Benz, CEO, EBAA, says: “After carefully assessing the market, we are confident that holding EBACE26 from 2nd to 4th June 2026 will offer a better experience for everyone involved. The updated dates are aligned more closely with the needs and requirements of all our exhibitors from different regions, our visitors and support the reimagined format we are introducing for the 2026 edition.” General exhibitor bookings will open in January, with the most competitive pricing model in recent years. For the first time, indoor exhibit pricing has been frozen for a second consecutive year, held at 2024 rates, to deliver long-term stability for exhibitors. In addition, prices for the aircraft display will be around one fifth the cost of previous EBACE editions, more aligned with the rates typically seen at regional shows rather than major international events. |
Behind the scenes of ground handling in the Nordics
Over the past few years, Aviator Airport Alliance has strengthened its position as a leading ground handling provider in Scandinavia, operating in one of Europe’s most demanding aviation markets.
Operating across Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland, the company is part of Avia Solutions Group and supports a wide range of scheduled and charter airlines, delivering high-precision operations under tight turnaround and safety requirements. Aviator CEO Jo Alex Tanem talks about the realities of ground handling in the Nordics and the exceptional operations handled behind the scenes.
Pit-stop precision
Much of ground handling takes place behind the scenes, yet these services are critical to smooth airline operations. Once an aircraft lands, it must be turned around for its next flight within an extremely tight window - and winter adds the complexity of de-icing procedures. According to Tanem, a Norwegian who has spent more than three decades in aviation, ground handling must be coordinated down to the second.
“When an aircraft arrives, we have about 25 minutes until its next departure. In that time, 160 passengers disembark and the same number board; 100-120 bags are unloaded along with cargo - sometimes pets or wheelchairs. Then the hold is loaded again, catering is restocked, and 10-20 tonnes of fuel are pumped in. To make it all happen, we operate like an F1 pit crew: everyone and everything in position, then the moment the aircraft stops, we execute dozens of tasks simultaneously,” Tanem explains.
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