Your essential weekly digest of International Business and Private Aviation Industry news
 Los Angeles: IADA: Strong demand, tight supply drives preowned marketThe International Aircraft Dealers Association (IADA) has released its 2026-2027 Current Market Portrait & Forecast, providing a comprehensive assessment of the global preowned business aircraft market as of September 2026 and an outlook through September 2027. The report finds a fundamentally strong global marketplace supported by healthy demand, historically tight supplies of high-quality aircraft and extended new aircraft delivery backlogs. IADA-Accredited Dealers closed 746 business aircraft transactions during the first half of 2026, an increase of 21% from the same period a year earlier.
Limited availability of younger, well-equipped aircraft continues to shape the market, particularly among midsize, super-midsize and large-cabin aircraft. Desirable aircraft with strong pedigree, current maintenance, engine program coverage, modern avionics and connectivity are attracting buyers quickly and, in some segments, commanding premium prices. The forecast identifies 100% bonus depreciation in the United States, healthy business aviation utilization, acceptable financing conditions and long OEM delivery lead times as important demand drivers. At the same time, buyers, sellers and operators continue to navigate geopolitical uncertainty, changing trade policies, higher operating and fuel costs, MRO capacity limitations and lingering supply chain constraints.
Dallas: Mente unifies aviation services under one brandMente has brought its aviation businesses together under a unified brand structure, with Four Corners Aviation becoming Mente Aviation. Mente Group will retain its name, with a refreshed logo, while Mente Aviation will provide the company’s charter and aircraft management services. Both will operate through a single website, giving clients access to Mente’s full range of aviation services. The company’s five principal areas are strategy, aircraft transactions, operational consulting, appraisals, and charter and management. “Mente has built significant recognition and credibility in business aviation, so it makes sense to put the full strength of the company behind the name that resonates in the marketplace,” said Brian Proctor, Founder, President and CEO of Mente. “At the same time, Mente Aviation gives our charter and management capabilities an identity that immediately communicates what we do. Together, they make it easy for clients to see the complete range of expertise available to them.”
São Paulo, Brazil: Embraer delivers 66 aircraft in the third quarter, up 6% year-over-yearEmbraer delivered 66 aircraft in 3Q26, marking the best third quarter delivery performance in the company's history. Deliveries increased 2% quarter-over-quarter (qoq) and 6% year-over-year (yoy). In 9M26, Embraer delivered a total of 175 aircraft, 14% more than the 153 aircraft delivered in 9M25, supported by continued progress in the company's production leveling initiatives. Executive Aviation delivered 41 new business jets during the quarter, flat yoy, reflecting the progress of the production leveling program over the past 2 years, which has gradually reduced the concentration of deliveries in the second semesters.
Dubai: Resilience and stability remain key hallmarks of Middle East business aviationResilience and operational stability continue to be the defining strengths of the business aviation sector across the Middle East, supporting sustained growth and ensuring the seamless movement of passengers, crews and critical missions throughout the region. This is made possible by collaboration and sharing of expertise across the sector. According to MedAire, a medical and security response organisation for aviation and maritime, as business aviation activity expands across key markets, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, operators are increasingly prioritising comprehensive risk management, medical support and security planning to maintain the highest standards of operational excellence. The region's highly developed aviation ecosystem, supported by world-class infrastructure, strong regulatory collaboration and continued investment across the sector, have reinforced the Middle East's reputation as one of the world's most resilient business aviation markets. As demand continues to grow, the industry is working together to honour its commitment to safety, security and preparedness, which remains central to its ability to deliver reliable connectivity for corporate, government, medical and humanitarian operations. “The Middle East has become one of MedAire’s most active and important regions, and the needs of aviation clients here are growing in both scale and complexity,” said Reely Rajan, Director, India, Middle East & Africa, MedAire. “We have expanded our footprint beyond Dubai into Saudi Arabia, Egypt and India so that more of our expertise sits closer to the people and operations it supports."
Ann Arbor, Michigan: US aviation fuel prices hit new highs in SeptemberUS aviation fuel prices continued to rise in September, with both JET A and 100LL reaching new highs for the year, according to iFlightPlanner’s latest fuel price report Based on pricing data collected directly from 3,370 FBOs and fuel service providers (FSPs) across the US, the report found that national JET A Full Service prices rose to $8.36 per gallon, while 100LL Full Service reached $7.75. JET A prices have risen steadily since July, while 100LL has followed a similar upward trend. Over the past six months, JET A has increased by around 4%, while 100LL is up nearly 8%. Since January, the increases stand at approximately 33% for JET A and 22% for 100LL. Self-service 100LL remained cheaper where available, averaging around 14% less than full service. UL94 and MOGAS prices also increased during September, although both remain limited in availability and highly regional. The September figures mark the third consecutive month of increases for both JET A and 100LL, underlining the broader upward trend in US aviation fuel costs during 2026.
London Southend Airport Sharmeen DivanAs London Southend progresses in the next phase of its growth, the airport has announced the appointment of its Chief Financial Officer, Sharmeen Divan, as Interim Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Chief Executive Officer, Jude Winstanley, left the airport on 30th September 2026 to pursue new opportunities outside of the aviation industry. Divan joined London Southend Airport in May 2025 and brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the role. Her leadership will provide continuity and further strengthen the airport as it progress its plans for future growth. Sharmeen Divan said: “I am delighted to take on the role of Interim Chief Executive Officer at this exciting time for London Southend Airport. We have a strong team, a clear strategy and significant opportunities ahead of us. I look forward to working closely with our colleagues, airline partners and stakeholders as we continue to build on the airport’s recent successes and deliver our next phase of growth.” Luxaviation ONE Markus SchmidtLuxaviation ONE, the dedicated charter brokerage division of Luxaviation Group, has announced the appointment of Markus Schmidt as Vice President Cargo. Bringing more than 20 years of experience in international air cargo, Markus Schmidt will lead and further develop the existing Air Cargo team and work with clients and partners to expand Luxaviation ONE’s cargo activities. Markus Schmidt joins Luxaviation ONE from Chapman Freeborn Airchartering, where he most recently served as Vice President Cargo Commercial Operations Europe. His career also includes senior positions at Etihad Airways, Celebi Aviation Holding and Asiana Airlines, with experience spanning cargo charter, commercial operations, airline and supplier relationships, strategic account management and business development. Patrick Hansen, CEO of Luxaviation Group, says: “Since establishing our cargo capabilities within Luxaviation ONE, we have seen significant potential to broaden the solutions we provide to clients. "Markus’s appointment is an important next step in that development, bringing extensive industry expertise to an established team and supporting our plans to further grow our cargo activities internationally.”
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Global bizjet activity rose 2.6% year-on-year in Week 40 (28 Sept-4 Oct), with just over 79,600 departures operated globally. With no major event inflating last year’s comparison, Week 40 offers a clean read on underlying demand, and the four-week trend now stands at +3.0%. The year-to-date figure is +3.4% ahead of last year through 4 October. North America accounted for almost all of the global growth, up 3.9% on the week, while Europe added a modest +2.1%. The Middle East slipped back 12.1% after returning to growth the previous week, while Central America was the weakest sub-region, down 23.9%. What Drove the Week The chart below breaks down global growth by sub-region, showing how many percentage points each added or subtracted. North America contributed +2.76 points of the +2.6% global gain. Europe (+0.33 points) and Africa (+0.26 points) added most of the remainder, while Central America (-0.48 points) and the Middle East (-0.24 points) held growth back.
Orlando, Florida: Sky Travel and Cove Capital to bring nearly 20 business aircraft to market in Q426Sky Travel, together with parent company Cove Capital Investments LLC, has announced plans to bring nearly 20 business aircraft to market during the fourth quarter of 2026, creating a significant range of acquisition opportunities for buyers with year-end aircraft requirements.
The incoming inventory will span multiple aircraft categories, from light and midsize business jets through large-cabin and long-range aircraft. Sky Travel expects the portfolio to provide particularly strong value opportunities for buyers seeking to complete acquisitions before the end of the year. Many of the aircraft will initially be presented on an off-market basis to Sky Travel’s selected partners and broker relationships. Approximately three weeks later, aircraft that remain available are expected to be introduced to the broader marketplace.
The aviation industry is experiencing a period of unprecedented growth. Air travel demand continues to reach record highs, airlines are expanding their operations, and the global aircraft fleet is expected to grow across every sector of aviation for the years to come. While this growth creates significant opportunities for the industry, it is also bringing an increasingly urgent challenge into focus: the shortage of qualified aircraft maintenance technicians. The issue is not simply a matter of keeping pace with industry growth. Over the next decade, over one-third of today's maintenance technicians are expected to reach retirement age. When combined with fleet expansion and rising demand for air travel, the result is a widening gap between the number of technicians needed and the number available in the workforce. For operators, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) organizations, and business aviation providers, the maintenance technician shortage can have significant operational implications.
Geneva, Switzerland: Dassault Falcon 6X joins Global Jet fleetGlobal Jet has added a new 2026 Dassault Falcon 6X, registration LX-SYN, to its charter fleet. Combining contemporary elegance, advanced technology and exceptional long-range capabilities, the aircraft is configured to accommodate 14 passengers across three distinct cabins.
The forward cabin provides an elegant and private setting with comfortable individual seats, whilst the central cabin features a sophisticated dining and working area, creating the perfect environment for business meetings or sharing a meal. At the rear, the aft cabin offers a welcoming lounge with generous sofas, providing a comfortable retreat for relaxation on long-haul flights.
Wichita, Kansas: Paraguayan Air Force becomes South America’s first SkyCourier military operatorTextron Aviation has announced that the Paraguayan Air Force (Fuerza Aérea Paraguaya) has become the first South American military operator of the Cessna SkyCourier turboprop, marking another milestone for the aircraft’s multi-mission versatility. Funded by Itaipu Binacional - a binational entity operated by the governments of Brazil and Paraguay - the aircraft joins the force’s existing fleet of Cessna Grand Caravan aircraft.
The Cessna SkyCourier purchase will help the Paraguayan Air Force deliver critical relief services to communities across the country.
Wichita, Kansas: Textron builds future workforce with Kansas’ first aviation youth apprenticeship programTextron Aviation is further bolstering the company’s efforts to build the next generation workforce as the first aviation company in Kansas to offer state-registered youth apprenticeships through the Kansas Office of Apprenticeships.
The program expands career opportunities for high school students beginning at age 16 by providing paid, hands-on learning experiences that develop industry knowledge and career-ready skills while they complete their education. The first cohorts began this fall, with structured skill development spanning up to three years.
Santa Cruz, California: Joby completes first-ever fully autonomous flight across the United StatesJoby Aviation has announced that an aircraft equipped with its autonomy technology has completed the first-ever autonomous flight across the United States.
The aircraft flew 3,199 miles with zero control inputs from its onboard safety pilot, concluding the eastbound leg of its month-long tour in North Carolina’s Outer Banks, near the site of the Wright brothers’ first powered flight.
Wichita, Kansas: Cessna Citation CJ4 Gen3 flight test pilots put Garmin Emergency Autoland to the testFor generations, Cessna aircraft have been developed around a practical idea: give customers capable, reliable aircraft that help them accomplish what matters to them. Today, that thinking is helping shape the next generation of the Citation CJ4.
The Cessna Citation CJ4 Gen3 is progressing toward Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification with new technologies designed to make flying more intuitive while providing additional peace of mind for pilots and passengers.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida: SmartJets sees growth in business aircraft market originating at the topHigh demand and significant OEM backlogs for new long-range bizjets boost pre-owned jet sales.Leading business aircraft dealer-broker, SmartJets, has announced its outlook for a strong Q4 2026.
Gulfstream G550 acquired by SmartJets in February. The business jet market is in full growth, characterized by high transaction volumes and large manufacturer backlogs. A community of ultra-high-net-worth individuals and corporate flight departments are principally driving this trend. In response to buyer demand for maximum range and optimal cabin capacity, the long-range business jet market segment is expected to see the fastest growth.
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 Toulouse, France: ACJ research: Private aviation is supporting the global expansion of family officesResearch commissioned by Airbus Corporate Jets (ACJ), reveals that family offices are becoming increasingly international in their footprint and are relying more heavily on business aviation to support this global growth. The study, conducted amongst senior executives from family offices, who collectively manage US$303bn in assets, shows a definite shift towards cross-border activity and a growing dependence on private aviation to manage it efficiently. Over the past five years, nearly 70% of family offices surveyed said they have opened new offices in different jurisdictions.
The key driver for those doing so is the rising number of family members now living abroad or across multiple countries (cited by 90% of survey respondents), followed by increasingly diversified investments portfolios (72%) and a need to manage geopolitical risk (28%). This international trend looks set to intensify as nearly all of the executives interviewed say they expect even more family members to reside in different countries over the next three years. As family offices become more dispersed and agile, they are turning to business aviation to remain connected and effective. Currently 70% of their business aviation travel is conducted via private aircraft, outpacing commercial routes.
Columbus, Ohio: FlightSafety's G600/G700 Convertible Simulator receives FAA approvalThe Federal Aviation Aministration has approved FlightSafety International's new Gulfstream G600/G700 Level D Full-Flight Simulator (FFS). Located at FSI’s Learning Center in Long Beach, California, the device is the first G600/G700 convertible simulator approved for training in the United States. The decision to place the new device in Long Beach was shaped in part by listening to the voice of the FSI customer. By responding to their feedback and evolving needs, FSI is expanding training capacity where customers need it most. The FFS, engineered and manufactured by FSI in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, supports training for Gulfstream GVII and GVIII type-rated pilots and is part of a highly configurable simulator platform designed to expand training capability over time.
Marignane, France: Romania orders 12 Airbus H225M multirole military helicoptersThe government of Romania has signed a contract for the procurement of 12 Airbus H225M helicopters. The agreement was concluded with the French Armament General Directorate (DGA) in the frame of the European Commission’s Security Action for Europe (SAFE). The European Union’s financial instrument is designed to provide financial support to Member States to speed up defence readiness by allowing urgent and major investments in support of the European defence industry, with a focus on closing critical capability gaps.
Airbus has been present in Romania for over twenty years through its three businesses. Airbus Helicopters’ customer centre keeps proving to be a successful enterprise since its creation, providing support and services to the Romanian Airbus fleets while working for various export customers. Airbus Defence and Space provides turn-key secure communications and systems engineering services through its engineering department, whilst Airbus’ Commercial Aircraft business manufactures strategic parts.
Ajdovščina, Slovenia: TFC Flight Training expands pilot development pathway with Pipistrel Explorer deliveryTextron Aviation affiliate, Pipistrel, has announced the delivery of two Pipistrel Explorer aircraft to TFC Flight Training, making the flight school the first Explorer operator in Germany. The delivery expands Pipistrel’s relationship with TFC and demonstrates how flight schools are building complementary fleets to support students across multiples stages of pilot development.
Based in Essen, Germany, TFC Käufer is one of Germanys largest approved flight training organizations and has been training pilots for 45 years. Their existing fleet includes four Pipistrel Velis Electro aircraft and seven Cessna 152 aircraft.
Stans, Switzerland: Pilatus PC-12 PRO Safety Autoland certifiedPilatus has announced certification of its Safety Autoland system for the new PC-12 PRO by both the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Integrated into the aircraft’s Garmin G3000 PRIME flight deck, Safety Autoland is designed to handle situations involving sudden pilot incapacitation - due to a medical emergency, for example. When the activation button is pressed or when a pilot inactivity is detected, the system takes full control of the aircraft, informing all occupants that the automated landing mode has been activated. Simultaneously, it begins analyzing all available information, including weather, aircraft status and navigation data. Based on this information, the system determines the best choice of airport, taking into account factors such as runway length, wind, weather conditions and remaining fuel. It then calculates a safe route, avoiding obstacles and terrain. During autonomous flight, Safety Autoland takes care of all the systems required for landing - including flaps, landing gear, lighting and de-icing - and fully prepares the aircraft for the final approach. It also handles all radio communications, automatically making calls on the appropriate frequencies to keep ATC and persons on the ground informed about the situation.
Why MEBAA Show is more relevant than ever this year By Tim Hawes, Managing Director, MEBAA Show Organiser, inD an Informa DWTC company. Business aviation has shifted a lot this last decade and the Middle East has kept up the pace. Characterised by resilience, agility and anchored by world-class private terminal (FBOs) and premier aircraft operators, our sector has matured into a critical logistical engine that keeps global commerce moving. This year, the Middle East Business Aviation and North Africa Association (MEBAA) celebrates 20 years under the leadership of Founding and Executive Chairman Ali Ahmed Alnaqbi. What an appropriate way to wrap up a landmark year than hosting the biennial MEBAA Show, which returns to DWC during 8-10 December. MEBAA Show is in pole position as the leading, international dedicated business aviation gathering, with an aircraft static display on site, to bring East and West together.
Electra's EL2 Ultra-Short aircraft demonstrates 'helicopter style' operations Demand for larger business aircraft in Asia set to rise HondaJet announces completion of first Echelon wing assembly alongside revised development timeline What private jet operators should expect from a catering partner
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Street style takes to the skies
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Owners will be able to book the aircraft through the NOT A HOTEL app, with NOT A GARAGE and its operating partner handling the pilots, maintenance, insurance and other operational requirements. The service even extends to the ground: owners in Tokyo’s 23 wards can be collected by chauffeur and taken to dedicated business-aviation facilities at Narita or Haneda. The G500 is scheduled to begin operations from Narita in December 2027. With a range of around 9,800km and a maximum operating speed of Mach 0.925, Los Angeles and Sydney are both within its nonstop reach. |
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