Your essential weekly digest of International Business and Private Aviation Industry news
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In Week 20 (13th-19th May), seventy-three thousand global bizjet sectors were flown, 3% ahead of the previous week, down 1% compared to week 20 in 2023. Part 135 & 91K sectors increased 2% compared to the previous week, 2% below Week 20 in 2023. So far this year (1st January-19th May), global bizjet activity has fallen 1% compared to last year, down 3% compared to May 2022. Over the same period, scheduled airlines are flying 5% ahead of last year, 44% ahead of May 2022. In contrast, dedicated freighters are flying 4% fewer flights than last year. United States In Week 20, bizjet activity grew 2% compared to the previous week (Week 19), 1% less than Week 20 in 2023. Part 135 & 91K activity in Week 20 grew 2% compared to the previous week, on par with Week 20 in 2023. Bizjet activity out of Florida dropped 10% compared to the previous week, although on par with Week 20 last year. California also saw week to week declines, dipping 1% below W20 in 2023. Across the United States this month bizjet activity is 1% below May last year. Las Vegas Harry Reid (KLAS) is an outlier this month, seeing strong bizjet growth compared to May 2023.
Luxembourg:Luxaviation acquires 17 Sky Valet FBOsGlobal FBO network now totals 141, following earlier takeover of Paragon.Luxaviation Group has marked a significant milestone in its journey towards increasing its leadership position in the FBO industry with the acquisition of Sky Valet. This strategic move bolsters its ExecuJet FBO network, bringing it to a robust 141 FBOs across all key regions globally. The acquisition synergizes with Luxaviation’s earlier 100% takeover of the Paragon Network, affirming its steadfast dedication to elevating client service standards with consistent excellence and competitive pricing across an expanded geographical footprint.
Michel Tohane, President of the FBO division at Luxaviation Group, will be spearheading the FBO integration of Sky Valet into Luxaviation Group with a special focus on the experienced staff of 90 new colleagues. Michel knows Sky Valet well, as he successfully led its operations as Executive Vice President before joining Luxaviation in 2021.
Savannah, Georgia:Gulfstream G650 and G650ER surpass 1 million flight hoursGulfstream's award-winning Gulfstream G650 and G650ER surpassed 1 million flight hours. More than 560 aircraft are in service worldwide.
When the G650 entered service in 2012, followed by the G650ER in 2014, the aircraft redefined business aviation. The G650 earned the 2014 Robert J. Collier Trophy for its performance, safety and efficiency innovations, and continues to set industry standards. In 2022, the aircraft completed a flight using 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), a business-jet industry original equipment manufacturer first. Together, the G650 and G650ER have achieved more than 125 city-pair speed records, and the G650ER holds the record for the farthest fastest business jet flight in history.
High-speed connectivity has traditionally been the domain of large-cabin, long-range jets. Antennas needed to be mounted in a radome on the aircraft tail, power was needed to make reliable connections, and at least five or six boxes were required to distribute WiFi through the cabin. Satellite constellations supporting business aviation were limited, too. Geostationary orbit (GEO) constellations provide the fastest and most reliable options, and L-band services provide limited functionality. Consequently, the associated budgets related to installation and pricing plans restricted the types of airframes that could access truly global broadband.
SD's Electronically Steered Antenna being installed. A privileged few experienced full connectivity benefits, but that is set to change thanks to the momentum building in the world of Electronically Steered Antennas (ESAs). In addition to our Plane Simple Ku-band and Ka-band tail mount variants, we are excited to be flight-testing our SD Plane Simple ESA in the summer of this year, with a market introduction anticipated in Q1 2025 when it will deliver super-fast connectivity to a new set of users.
Wichita, Kansas:Cessna SkyCourier earns FAA certification for new Combi optionBrings further innovation and functionality to cargo and passanger transport.The Federal Aviation Administration has granted certification of a new Combi interior conversion option for the passenger variant of Textron Aviation's twin-engine Cessna SkyCourier turboprop aircraft.
The Combi option enables operators to transport nine passengers and cargo simultaneously. Deliveries of Cessna SkyCourier passenger units with the Combi option included are slated to begin later this year. “This newly certified combi kit adds to the growing list of options for the versatile Cessna SkyCourier,” said Lannie O’Bannion, senior vice president, Global Sales and Flight Operations. “The Combi will allow operators to use the aircraft for an even broader range of missions globally and quickly change configurations to best serve their needs.”
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 United Kingdom:A significant year for London Oxford AirportIntroduces SAF, welcomes new tenants and progresses R&D technology park.London Oxford Airport, the UK’s fifth largest in terms of business aviation movements (it saw a total of 58,549 in 2023), is enjoying a significant year. This month it introduced sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) through fuel provider World Fuel Services. New tenant OXCCU, a spin-out from Oxford University, is readying its synthetic aviation fuel facility to open in August, anticipating an anticipated 50% lower capital cost versus other e-fuel production methods.
Its OXEFUEL takes atmospheric carbon dioxide and combines it with hydrogen. Using its bespoke and unique catalysts and reactors, OXCCU plans to turn H2 and CO2 into long chain hydrocarbons, in one simple step. Then, in September, coinciding with Airbus Helicopters’ 50th anniversary in the UK, a brand-new UK HQ for the OEM, comprising 66,000 sq ft hangarage and 59,000 sq ft of office/stores/workshops, is due to open. Built at a cost of £50 million, the new HQ will feature seven dedicated helipads, sized to support its largest models. Meantime, building work commences this June on the all-new R & D Science Park at the entrance to the airport - a £48 million green campus environment offering 17 business units with over 200,000 sq.ft. First occupants should be in by the second quarter of 2025, according to James Dillon-Godfray, the airport’s Head of Business Development.
United Kingdom:BBGA appeals for fee reduction as Border Force premium services leap by 94%The British Business General Aviation Association (BBGA) is appealing to the UK Government for a reduction in fee increases for Premium Services at the UK Border on behalf of its members. Premium Services refer to airports with dedicated FBO terminals handling business aviation that don’t have border force facilities on site. The hourly rate charged for UK Border force premium services is set to leap by 94%, effective 1st July.
The Government justifies the substantial increase because fees have remained unchanged since 2019. “It reflects increasing financial pressures, growing resource costs and the need to futureproof these ‘enhanced’ bespoke premium services.” In a letter to Home Secretary James Cleverly, BBGA states that ONS (Office for National Statistics) figures for wage growth since 2019 are IRO of 30%. This therefore shows a clear lack of alignment between the rate increases stated and real time costs. BBGA strongly suggests a reduced rate of increase of IRO 40%. As regards future proofing the enhanced bespoke premium service,” BBGA states there is no clarity of when a future price rise will be endorsed. It therefore demonstrates a lack of quantifiable data to justify the increased hourly rate. “A 94% increase in charges coupled with no clarity of when a further increase in charges will be endorsed is unacceptable to the UK business aviation community. The Home Office have offered no evidential data to justify the cost rise,” stressed Lindsey Oliver, Managing Director, BBGA.
United Kingdom:Un-jammable quantum tech takes flight to boost UK’s resilience against hostile actorsA first-of-its-kind achievement as quantum navigation tech developed in the UK has been successfully tested in flight.In a first-of-its-kind achievement, the UK has successfully completed commercial flight trials of advanced quantum-based navigation systems that cannot be jammed or spoofed by hostile actors. While GPS jamming is currently relatively rare and does not directly impact an aircraft’s flight path, new quantum-based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) systems could, over time, offer one part of a larger solution to providing highly accurate and resilient navigation that complements current satellite systems - which could help ensure that the thousands of flights that take place around the world daily, proceed without disruption.
Infleqtion, a quantum technology firm, in collaboration with aerospace companies BAE Systems and QinetiQ, completed the trials at MoD Boscombe Down in Wiltshire, with Science Minister Andrew Griffith aboard the final test flight on Thursday 9 May. These tests are the first time that this sort of ground-breaking technology has been tested in the UK on an aircraft in flight, and the first such flights worldwide that have been publicly acknowledged.
Thomasberg, Austria:F/LIST sets its sights on revolutionizing markets with the launch of the F/LAB innovation hubF/LIST, a pioneer in the design, production, and installation of innovative luxury interiors for business and private jets, exclusive residences and yachts (offered by the 100% subsidiary F/YACHTING), is celebrating the official opening of its newly expanded future laboratory, the F/LAB. The F/LAB represents the center of innovation for the Austria-headquartered business and is a dynamic hub for creative thinking, cross-discipline collaboration, and imaginative experimentation.
The commercial launch marks its transition from an in-house concept, which has already successfully developed game-changing products, to its position as an essential pillar in the F/LIST innovation strategy. Building on twenty years of activity in the aviation sector, F/LAB originally evolved as an in-house incubator that was encouraged to challenge traditional manufacturing and product status-quo. It now sits at the core of a new customer interaction strategy and has become a marque representing innovation, technology, and sustainability. The formal addition to the F/LIST brand portfolio represents a shift in market approach and embodies the latest disruption from the game-changing business.
United Kingdom:Air Charter Service opens in Manchester to support growing client baseLeading aircraft charter specialist, Air Charter Service, has opened its third UK office, and its first in the north of England, in Manchester, as it focusses on expanding its client base further in the thriving technology and sports markets in the region. Justin Bowman, ACS’s Chief Executive, commented: “We have been looking into expanding our UK network for some time now and Manchester is the second most populous city in the UK, having overtaken Birmingham in recent years.  Alex Sadat-Shafai will be heading-up ACS' new Manchester office. "It is a renowned technology and creative hub and is the fastest-growing city in the North of England, with the economy expected to grow at an annual rate of around 2.5% over the next two years, making it the third-fastest-growing city in the UK after London and Reading. “The north-west is also an extremely busy sporting region, especially in football, with six Premier League teams within a 40-mile radius of Manchester, as well as many other large lower league teams.
Monaco:Bombardier inaugurates new Aviator Lounge in MonacoH.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco officially opened the new Aviator Lounge by Bombardier in the company of Pierre Beaudoin, Bombardier’s Chairman of the Board and other Bombardier’s senior leadership members. The new Lounge - strategically located at the Monaco Yacht Club - will provide a visually stunning, welcoming space for visitors to learn about Bombardier’s aircraft, legacy, and innovations. “We are immensely proud to reaffirm our presence in the region with the opening of the magnificent new Aviator Lounge by Bombardier, the first tailor-made space of this kind by any jet manufacturer," said Emmanuel Bornand, Vice President of International Sales, Bombardier.
"We are honoured to be so firmly anchored within the Monaco Yacht Club, a historic and prestigious institution at the heart of the Principality of Monaco. The Aviator Lounge is a unique meeting place. Thanks to its location, it symbolizes the meeting of the land, the sea and the air. "Most importantly, it provides a welcoming place for us to meet with anyone who wants to stop by to learn about Bombardier’s groundbreaking research in sustainability, about the eight decades of innovation that resulted in uncompromising, record-breaking performance of our jets, and our pioneering research into more sustainable ways to fly.”
AXIS Aviation continues global expansion with integration of South Africa’s Absolute Aviation DFS Aviation Services launches first cloud-based air traffic control system in Memmingen Azzera selected by Pratt & Whitney Canada for Carbon Offset Solutions
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Blue Light Day at London Biggin Hill
London Biggin Hill Airport held its Blue Light Day on Sunday, 19th May, the final event of the Airport Operators Association’s Health & Safety Week.
The event was a huge success, with more than 300 local people attending. As part of the day, visitors were invited to take part in workshops and meet representatives from across the airport’s emergency services. Highlights included a retro police car, police dog demonstrations and London Biggin Hill’s airport fire and rescue vehicles. The team at London Biggin Hill Airport extended a special thanks to the London Fire Brigade, Metropolitan Police Service, London Retired Police Dogs Trust and its airport colleagues, for their generous support on the day. |
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