Your essential weekly digest of International Business and Private Aviation Industry news
 Wichita, Kansas:Cessna Citation Ascend achieves FAA certificationTextron Aviation's Cessna Citation Ascend achieved a major milestone on Wednesday, November 5th, as the FAA awarded type certification for the aircraft, with entry into service expected later this year. The aircraft boasts an entirely new cockpit, improved performance and luxurious flat floor cabin, giving customers versatility and flexibility to accomplish their mission.
Two flight test articles completed more than 1,000 flight hours and numerous certification tests to achieve FAA certification. “The Citation Ascend’s successful flight test program reflects our teams’ expertise in obtaining FAA certification while designing and delivering the best aviation experience for our customers,” said Chris Hearne, senior vice president, Engineering & Programs. “We sought our customers’ feedback, and the result is a business jet that offers customers the latest innovations in performance, productivity and efficiency.”
Montreal:Global 8000 awarded Transport Canada Type CertificationBombardier's Global 8000 has been awarded Transport Canada Type Certification, paving the way for entry-into-service this year. FAA and EASA certification will follow, aligned with delivery requirements. This accomplishment marks the latest in a series of monumental achievements for Bombardier’s Global 8000 business jet, which went supersonic in testing, completed its inaugural first production flight in May and recently announced a new top speed of Mach 0.95. The aircraft has also completed its type certification with a new industry benchmark for cabin altitude - 2,691 ft. at 41,000 ft., the best of any business aircraft in production. “Bombardier has worked rigorously and collaboratively with Transport Canada toward certification for the Global 8000. This marks a pivotal milestone for Bombardier, our customers and the entire business aviation industry - solidifying the Global 8000’s position as the unrivaled leader setting a new standard,” said Stephen McCullough, Senior Vice President, Engineering and Product Development, Bombardier. |
In Week 45 (3-9 Nov) 2025, global bizjet activity notched up 80,000 departures, 11% more flights than in Week 45 of 2024.On a rolling last four-week basis (W42 – W45), global business jets have logged more than 315,000 departures, a 7% increase compared to the same period last year. This four-week trend of 7% is outperforming the global year-to-date (1 Jan – 9 Nov) trend of 5%. There has all the same been a slight decrease in the pace of growth over the last few weeks. North America: California and Florida lead with 16%+ growth The North American market performed in line with the global growth trend at 11% more activity in W45 year-on-year. The region’s growth driver, the US market, matched this weekly trend of +11%. Key states California and Florida saw notable double-digit gains, at 17% and 16% respectively, while Texas realized solid 9% growth. North America’s rolling four-week trend now sits at 6% ahead of the comparable period in 2024. Among the key states, Texas leads the four-week trend at 7%, while California and Florida are both at 6%.
With the launch of Gogo Galileo’s low Earth orbit (LEO) service this year, we are delivering the high-speed, low-latency power of Eutelsat OneWeb’s low-earth orbit (LEO) constellation to business aircraft globally, regardless of their size. Access to the service is through two electronically steered antennas (ESAs): the Gogo Galileo half-duplex antenna (HDX) and the Gogo Galileo FDX, the full-duplex variant.
First Gogo Galileo FDX STC confirmed on BBJ 737 types. The pair of antennas is changing the way business aviation passengers connect with the world and each other, for the better. And like all good siblings, they complement each other, sharing similar DNA, but with their own personalities and characteristics.
Waco, Texas:Freeman Holdings acquires Waco, Texas, FBOFreeman Holdings Group has announced the acquisition of Texas Aero at Waco Regional Airport (KACT), marking another strategic expansion of its growing national network of premium fixed-base operator facilities.
The purchase, effective October 30th, includes Texas Aero’s full-service FBO - to be rebranded as Freeman Jet Center-Waco - while Texas Aero Jet Sales will continue to operate independently under existing ownership. With this acquisition, Freeman Holdings Group’s FBO portfolio expands to 24 locations, enhancing its footprint across the state of Texas following additions in Lubbock and Abilene in early 2025.
Santa Fe, New Mexico:Atlantic Aviation strengthens Southwest footprint with Santa Fe Jet Center acquisitionAtlantic Aviation has acquired Jet Center at Santa Fe, located at Santa Fe Regional Airport (SAF), and will bring their exceptional reputation for service and safety to the community already recognized for its spectacular landscapes, unique historic architecture, and a vibrant arts culture.
The acquisition marks their third location in New Mexico and includes 16.5 acres of ramp space, a recently constructed full-service executive FBO terminal, and around 50,000 square feet of recently constructed, heated hangar space.
Chesapeake, Virginia:Hampton Roads Executive Airport forms strategic alliance with AvfuelHampton Roads Executive Airport (KPVG) has partnered with leading independent aviation fuel and services supplier, Avfuel Corporation, in a strategic move to enhance the general aviation experience in Southeastern Virginia.
“Partnering with Avfuel marks a defining step in our journey,” said Steven Fox, managing member of Virginia Aviation Associates LLC and owner of Hampton Roads Executive Airport. “We’re committed to raising the bar for every pilot, passenger and operator who chooses KPVG. Avfuel’s reputation for reliability, quality and aviation expertise aligns perfectly with our goals for growth and a high standard of service.”
Fort Worth, Texas:Bell appoints Tangmere Aircraft Sales as new UK and Ireland sales representativeBell 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.
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.
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 London:ACC Aviation tracks industry performance and identifies resilient growth amidst global uncertainty “Aviation has never been more robust - the industry is learning to live with disruption”Dave Williams, Director of Leasing, ACC Aviation. The global aviation industry enters the final months of 2025 on a cautiously optimistic footing. Passenger demand remains strong, fleets are stretched but stable, and airlines continue to prove remarkably agile in adapting to geopolitical and economic turbulence. Dave Williams, Director of Leasing at ACC Aviation, a leading provider of ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, Insurance), Charter and Consulting services has been working with his team to analyse market performance so far this year. “Despite supply chain bottlenecks, aircraft delivery delays, and escalating costs, the sector’s long-term trajectory is one of steady recovery and reinvention. The underlying message from industry leaders in the airline, leasing and ACMI sectors is clear: aviation is navigating an uncertain world from a position of strength.”
Global traffic continues to climb, with IATA reporting a 4.6% increase in total passenger demand and an 86% global load factor - a record high. International travel is the primary growth engine, up 6.6% year-on-year, led by a 9.8% surge in Asia-Pacific. Domestic markets remain stable but more subdued. “Airlines have managed capacity carefully, keeping load factors high but margins are thin,” observes Williams. “Industry profit per seat averaged $6.40 in 2024, reflecting rising operational costs and limited pricing flexibility. While major carriers such as Ryanair and Singapore Airlines maintain strong profitability, smaller operators and start-ups continue to feel the squeeze.” |
Embraer expands renewable energy use in Florida with new solar installation at Executive Jets HQ
Embraer has launched its largest global solar energy project at its Executive Jets headquarters in Melbourne, Florida, in partnership with Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) through the FPL SolarVantage program.
The installation, featuring over 1,900 panels, is Embraer’s first U.S. on-site solar system and will generate up to 1,800 MWh annually - enough to power most of its Customer Center. This marks a key step toward Embraer’s goal of using 100% renewable energy across all sites by 2030.
Embraer will also expand solar adoption across other Florida locations via FPL’s SolarTogether program, which allows participants to source up to 45% of their annual energy from FPL’s solar centers. Combined, these sites could offset about 10 million MWh in their first year.
“By integrating renewable energy into our facilities, we’re one step closer to our sustainability targets and reinforcing our commitment to innovation that benefits both our customers and the communities in which we operate,” says Andreza Alberto, Vice-President of People, ESG and Communications at Embraer. “We look forward to expanding this effort beyond our state-of-the-art Customer Center and into additional buildings across our Melbourne campus and other locations throughout Florida.”
The initiative underscores Embraer’s broader ESG strategy, which also includes expanding the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) at its Melbourne operations.
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