Your essential weekly digest of International Business and Private Aviation Industry news
 Everett, Washington:ZeroAvia awarded USAF grant for an autonomous hydrogen-electric aircraftZeroAvia has been selected by AFWERX for a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant to conduct a feasibility study focused on integrating hydrogen propulsion into Cessna Caravan aircraft alongside advanced aircraft automation technology.AFWERX awards aim to address research questions with specific implications for the most pressing challenges in the Department of the Air Force (DAF). ZeroAvia will analyze the potential for developing and delivering an 8,000 lb autonomous aircraft with hydrogen-electric propulsion for reduced engine noise and low thermal signature, thus significantly reducing detectability. Hydrogen fuel cells are a promising technology for improving the range, duration and turnaround time of a range of electric Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV). Hydrogen has additional advantages as an aviation fuel as it can be produced at point of refueling given ready supply of electricity and water, which dramatically simplifies fuel logistics - a critical consideration for any defense applications. Finally, hydrogen has the highest energy per unit of weight of any chemical energy source, which allows for potential maximum range of over 2,000 nm (almost 4,000 km) in an autonomous aircraft of this type. Reliable Robotics - the California-based specialists in remote operation of aircraft - will support ZeroAvia in exploring relevant autonomous flight systems as part of the study.
Avalon, Australia:Bombardier Defense sells two Challenger 650s destined for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions in AustraliaPrinciple Finance, a renowned provider of customised operating lease for aircraft in Australia, has acquired two Bombardier Challenger 650 aircraft destined for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions in Australia. The delivery of both aircraft is planned for 2026. “This purchase represents a major milestone for Bombardier Defense, increasing our presence in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region. Our aircraft are the platform of choice not only due to their reach, persistence and performance, but also due to the large accessibility of our services and support ecosystem in the country,” says Jean-Christophe Gallagher, Executive Vice President, Aircraft Sales & Bombardier Defense. “This represents an undeniable advantage and flexibility to operators.”
“We are excited to integrate the Bombardier Challenger 650 into our fleet, leveraging its exceptional performance and reliability, which will play a crucial role in our future operations. This platform allows us to enhance our surveillance reach and effectiveness, ensuring we stay ahead in the rapidly evolving defense landscape,” says Harrison Langrell, Managing Director of Principle Finance.
Washington, DC:Viola leads GAMA as President and CEOJames A. Viola has officially assumed the role of president and CEO of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA). Viola is GAMA’s sixth president and CEO since its founding, 55 years ago, in 1970. “It is a privilege and an honor to be able to lead such an impactful global organization that is known for the great work it does on behalf of the general aviation industry,” James Viola said.  James A. Viola. “I look forward to working with our membership to continue to advocate for policies and regulations that allow for the industry to grow, flourish and advance innovation. While this is an exciting time for our industry there is still a lot of work to be done to meet new and ongoing challenges. "It is important that we continue to illustrate the robust opportunities and economic and societal benefits that our industry provides around the world. Under my leadership, I plan for GAMA to provide valuable thought leadership and continue to be a commanding and astute voice for the good of its membership and the entire industry.” Viola comes to GAMA from Vertical Aviation International (VAI), where he served as president and CEO since 2020.
Europe:PACIFIC, a new European project led by Airbus, will advance research on contrail mitigation and non-CO2 impactsAirbus, within a consortium of 10 partners from four European countries, has launched PACIFIC, a project to study the impact of aviation's non-CO2 emissions on Local Air Quality and Climate with a focus on contrails.Recent studies suggest that the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) could reduce both soot particles and contrail ice crystals. However, additional information on fuel composition and its processing in the engine is necessary to better understand the effects and benefits of SAF.
PACIFIC (Particle emissions, Air Quality and Climate Impact related to Fuel Composition and Engine Cycle) seeks to bridge the gap in understanding aviation's non-CO2 emissions by testing an unprecedented range of fuels under controlled conditions. The project will ensure consistency in combustion parameters and hardware similarity from lab-scale experiments at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) to full aircraft engine tests at Airbus Toulouse. The research will focus on understanding how soot forms during fuel combustion, using improved prediction tools to better anticipate its presence in engine emissions. It will also analyse the quantity of fine particles released at different engine power levels, refining methods to estimate their impact from ground tests to real flight conditions.
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.
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.”
ZeroAvia Billy NolenZeroAvia has appointed former Federal Aviation Administrator Billy Nolen as a Senior Strategy & Regulatory Advisor to the company.A vastly experienced safety expert, airline executive and pilot, Nolen will work with ZeroAvia’s team to expedite the push towards certification of both its 600kW electric propulsion system and its full hydrogen-electric powertrains.Nolen spent more than a quarter of a century with American Airlines, including as a pilot operating narrowbody and wide-body aircraft. His career as a pilot was followed by roles focused on safety with American, Qantas and Westjet, before he joined the FAA, first as associate administrator for safety, before quickly taking on the role of acting administrator. Since departing his role at the FAA in June 2023, Nolen has served as Archer Aviation’s Chief Regulatory Affairs Officer and will continue in this role, splitting his time between both of the two innovative aerospace scale-ups. |
This week, Week 12 (17th-23rd March), global business jet sectors grew 2% compared to last year, slightly behind the last four-week trend of +3%, according to WINGX`s weekly Global Market Tracker pubished this weekAircraft flying on Part 135 & 91K certificates flew 5% more sectors than Week 12 last year, ahead of the last four-week trend of +4%. As March draws to a close, global bizjet activity is 2% ahead of March 2024, slightly behind the year-to-date trend of +3%. Five years ago this week Coronavirus lockdowns were beginning to be implemented globally, resulting in the grounding of vast numbers of aircraft. In Week 12 of 2020, just 37,379 business jet departures were recorded globally, a decrease of one third compared to Week 12 in 2019. North America In Week 12 business jet activity was 3% ahead of Week 12 in 2024. In Week 12 in 2020, just 28,117 business jet departures were recorded in North America, a fall of 34% compared to Week 12 in 2019. The last four-week trend in North America is +4%,
Wichita, Kansas:Beechcraft Denali to make show debut at SUN ‘n FUNTextron Aviation has announced that the Beechcraft Denali will make its highly anticipated show debut at the 2025 SUN 'n FUN Aerospace Expo, Tuesday through Sunday, April 1st-6th, in Lakeland, Florida.
The Denali program recently celebrated the FAA certification of the GE Aerospace Catalyst turboprop engine on Thursday, February 27th, 2025, marking an important milestone in the Denali program. The program has amassed more than 2,700 flight hours and 1,000 flights across its three test articles.
St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands:Execujet St Thomas completes FBO developmentExecujet has announced the competion of its FBO development project at Cyril E. King Airport (STT/TIST), St. Thomas, USVI.Located next to the air operations area, the FBO's spacious apron accommodates passenger drop-off, GPU hook-up, and parking for any size aircraft, in addition to direct access to the airport's 7,000-foot runway.
Inside, flight personnel enjoy several dedicated amenities including a lounge, a private bathroom with a shower, a flight planning station, and a full kitchen. For those wanting to explore the island beyond the FBO’s property, Execujet offers complimentary crew car privileges. Execujet's new build further blends form and function with high-value features throughout the property, including a ramped walkway connecting the lobby to the airfield’s only exclusive vehicle parking area, 24-hour police and video surveillance, and solar-sourced energy.
New Orleans:UAS International Trip Support now offers RSP at 30 US airportsLeading global aviation solutions provider, UAS International Trip Support has announced the inclusion of five more airports to its US Customs and Border Protection’s Reimbursable Services Program (RSP) offering.They include Salt Lake City International (KSLC), Buffalo Niagara International (KBUF), Denver International (KDEN), San Francisco International (KSFO), and Kona International at Keahole (PHKO). This latest addition brings the total number of UAS RSP airports to 30.
As a member of the US CBP Reimbursable Service Program (RSP), UAS can request and pay for CBP overtime services at approved US entry ports where the hours of operation are limited. This greatly enhances operational flexibility and efficiency for UAS clients by empowering flights from overseas to directly reach their preferred destination on their preferred schedule, rather than being bound by CBP’s designated hours.
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.
Dubai:Voluxis adds Global 7500 to its Middle Eastern fleetVoluxis, the charter operator and aircraft management company, has added a Global 7500, based in Dubai, as it continues its Middle Eastern expansionCEO Warren Gravell commented: “We’re delighted to be welcoming this stunning aircraft to our fleet. The cabin is comfortable, quiet and spacious and can accommodate up to 15 passengers. It benefits from a humidifying system and low cabin altitude, which helps to reduce fatigue. The seats can be converted into four single beds and one double. The galley features two ovens, two fridges, a drinks cooler and a coffee machine.
“The aircraft will be based in Dubai and has a range of around 16 hours - almost 9,000 miles - meaning that it is perfect for long haul flying, such as from Dubai to Shanghai or New York. This is the first Global 7500 that we have managed, so we are delighted to add one to our fleet, as we are certain that it will prove to be a very popular choice for our charter clients.”
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 Farnborough, UK:Farnborough Airport signs landmark 12.5m litre SAF deal in pioneering step to help kick-start UK domestic refining sectorFarnborough Airport has signed a landmark deal with Hydrogen Refinery for 12.5 million litres or 10,000 tonnes per annum of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) produced locally from waste.Farnborough Airport is already one of the largest single-site suppliers of SAF to the business aviation community, having sold over 2 million litres of 38% blended SAF since 2021. With the introduction of SAF mandates taking effect at the start of this year, domestic sales of SAF are increasingly being put at risk by the lack of production and investment within the UK. The UK and the European Union have legislation-backed mandates on both the amount of SAF that must be used from January 2025 and also the way that SAF must be produced in the future. This is to ensure advanced fuels can be developed over time to support the required growth in SAF production without incentivising farmers to switch from growing food to growing SAF feedstocks. SAF today is almost entirely produced from waste cooking oil or HEFA (Hydro processed Esters and Fatty Acids), however Hydrogen Refinery’s ground-breaking technology is able to produce carbon negative SAF from a variety of mixed waste products, sourced locally or from landfill sites. Simon Geere, CEO at Farnborough Airport, commented: “We are delighted to be forging this ground-breaking alliance with e-fuels developer Hydrogen Refinery. "Their patented technology has the potential to provide Farnborough Airport with enough proprietary supplies of SAF for us to become the first and only airport in the world to be offering fuel with a 20% blend across its entire supply by 2028, well ahead of the UK Government’s own target of 10% by 2030."
Luxembourg:Luxaviation unveils private aviation’s first real-time carbon calculator, integrating sustainability throughout its operationsLuxaviation Group has unveiled a pioneering innovation with the industry’s first real-time carbon calculator integrated into a private aviation app.This update reaffirms Luxaviation’s commitment to transparency and control in sustainable aviation, setting a new benchmark for the industry. Driven by the growing demand for meaningful carbon footprint management in private aviation, Luxaviation continues to enhance its Green Legacy ecosystem, the Group's fully integrated sustainability solution.
As part of this initiative, Luxaviation’s in-house-developed app now features live emissions tracking, instant carbon offset purchases and the option to select Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) blends, empowering users to see the tangible impact of their choices. The Luxaviation mobile App, powered by Wayfinder AI and Envalor, delivers these innovative capabilities.
UK and France:Signature brings blended SAF to six new European locationsSignature Aviation has announced the expansion of its blended sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) offering at six new locations across Europe following multiple blended SAF supply agreements.SAF will be available in 2025 at these Signature locations:
• East Midlands Airport (EMA) The addition expands Signature’s SAF availability to 33 locations in total across its network, while expanding its offering to 8 locations in total in the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region. The offering at six new European locations follows Signature’s recent announcement in October 2024 of an expansion in the United States to offer blended SAF at six of the largest private aviation markets on the US East Coast and Gulf Coast. These recent agreements will add access to over 50 million gallons of blended SAF to the Signature network throughout 2025.
London:Echelon Air unveils the 'future of flight training' at London Biggin Hill AirportA new addition has landed at London Biggin Hill Airport, as resident flight training provider Echelon Air welcomes its brand-new G7 Cirrus SR20 - the latest evolution in the Cirrus SR series - at an unveiling event held at the airport.The G7 SR20 introduces an upgraded avionics suite, improved situational awareness and a refined interior, designed to enhance comfort and technology for pilots. The aircraft’s intuitive features make it an ideal platform for both aspiring and experienced aviators looking to elevate their flying experience. The launch event follows Echelon Air’s recent recognition as a Cirrus Authorised Platinum Training Centre. This accolade reflects Echelon Air’s commitment to delivering the highest standard of instruction, whether through ab-initio flight training or advanced courses.
Echelon Flight Sim. Guests at the event had the opportunity to explore the G7 SR20 up close and experience Echelon Air’s state-of-the-art training resources, including simulator demonstrations and insights into the Cirrus Vision Jet. With its Platinum Training Centre status and continued investment in technology, Echelon Air continues to set a new standard for flight training at London Biggin Hill Airport.
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.
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To celebrate World Sleep Day, George Galanopoulos from Luxaviation UK brought us 'Biggin's Bedtime Story', sharing the tale of Captain Mary’s smooth landing to London Biggin Hill's on-site hotel, The Landing. With 56-bedrooms, the boutique hotel accommodates crew flying in and out of the airport, as well as frequent visitors to London Biggin Hill Airport’s resident aviation companies.
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