“Aerospace is an international business—it always has been and always will be,” Daher Aircraft CEO Nicolas Chabbert told AIN yesterday at the Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo when asked about the start of widespread U.S. tariffs. “The global aerospace industry has created enormous wealth in the U.S.”

He believes the tariffs will negatively “shape” the U.S. and global economies and, by default, the business aviation market. According to Chabbert, potential aircraft buyers are mostly sitting on the sidelines right now because of uncertainty created by rapidly shifting U.S. policies. “Not one prospect will accept an increase in price. And no investor today will want to be in aerospace given the environment,” he added.

Chabbert acknowledged that the tariffs will hit harder on its TBM line—which now is just the Model 960, because it recently dropped the TBM 910 from its product lineup—since these aircraft are manufactured in Tarbes, France. However, he pointed out that its Sandpoint, Idaho-produced Kodiak 100 Series III and 900 turboprop singles also could be exposed due to their Canada-made Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6 engines. “We just don’t know how the tariffs are going to be applied,” Chabbert lamented.

Meanwhile, the company is progressing on plans announced in 2023 to stand up a TBM and Kodiak co-production final assembly facility in Stuart, Florida, by the end of 2026.

Embraer Executive Jets (EEJ) started off 2025 on a high note with deliveries in the first quarter up 28% from the same period a year ago. The manufacturer of Phenom light jets and Praetor midsize and super-midsize twinjets handed over 23 aircraft in the first three months versus 18 in the first quarter of 2024.

The mix consisted of two Phenom 100s and 12 of its larger sibling, the Phenom 300, which has been one of the top-selling types since its certification in 2009. Meanwhile, Embraer delivered three Praetor 500s and six Praetor 600s—two more midsize jets than it did a year ago.

EEJ has been working to even out its production schedule, which would typically see a surge in the last quarter of the year. In some cases, half its annual output would take place during the last quarter.

For 2025, the OEM has forecast executive jet deliveries in the 145 to 155 range. Last year, it handed over 130 Phenoms and Praetors, landing firmly in the center of its anticipated range total for 2024.

World Fuel has welcomed two new members to its sponsored Air Elite FBO Network, a global group of upscale service providers that must meet certain quality standards to qualify for admission.

Adding to the network’s international roster is DC Aviation G-Ops at Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (LFMN), a major gateway to the French Riviera. It is located just 20 minutes from Cannes, 40 minutes from Monaco, and an hour from Saint-Tropez.

Befitting its clientele, the 3,230-sq-ft terminal features a high-end passenger lounge and a crew lounge. Services include VIP and crew transportation, refueling scheduling, and assistance with permits, slots, and customs and immigration clearance.

Tucson Jet Center—one of a quartet of service providers at Arizona's Tucson International Airport (KTUS)—is also the CAA-preferred FBO on the field. It offers a passenger lobby, concierge, pilot lounge with snooze room and shower facilities, flight planning area, a conference room, coffee/refreshment bar, and crew car. Specializing in quick turns, the location provides rampside vehicle access.

The two additions bring the group to 85 locations globally. “We welcome Tucson Jet Center and DC Aviation G-Ops to the Air Elite Network,” said Malcolm Hawkins, World Fuel’s senior v-p for global business aviation. “Their dedication to excellence and customer service is core to the standards that our customers and network members depend on.”

High-net-worth individuals are eager to embrace eVTOL aircraft but only if they have sufficiently well-appointed cabins. That’s the key takeaway from a survey published on March 31 by organizers of the Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX), which is being held in Hamburg next week.

They surveyed 250 business executives in the UAE, which is emerging as a likely early adopter of eVTOL air taxi services. According to the results, 96.4% are open to the new mode of transportation, with 52.4% emphasizing their desire for convenience and accessibility. Meanwhile, 49.6% are attracted by what they view as a novel and exciting travel experience and 47.6% are encouraged by the reduced environmental impact of electric aircraft.

Respondents called for aircraft cabins to feature designs influenced by the Gulf region, with “culturally sensitive interiors.” Almost 98% said they expect bespoke interiors, with a high degree of choice over cabin colors, lighting, and “tailored” entertainment options for flights that aren’t expected to take more than 20 minutes or so.

However, perhaps the most startling conclusion from the survey is that respondents generally are not impressed with current private jet cabins. “The fact that 83.6% of respondents believe current business jet interiors are outdated highlights a crucial opportunity for [AIX] exhibitors to showcase truly innovative cabin designs that break the mold,” said AIX event director Archana Dharni.

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The Classic Lear Jet Foundation is planning a polar circumnavigation mission from April 30 to May 3 to raise funds for the restoration of Learjet 23-003, the first customer-delivered Learjet. Global Jetcare, a Florida-based air ambulance provider, is donating use of a Learjet 36A and a four-person crew to support the foundation’s fundraising efforts.

Learjet 23-003 was delivered to Chemical & Industrial Corp. of Cincinati, Ohio, in October 1964 and returned to Wichita in 2023 when The Classic Lear Jet Foundation acquired it from where it had languished for years outside at Florida's Bartow Executive Airport.

The Polar Mission involves a flight departing from Bombardier Building 14 in Wichita on April 30, between 6 and 7 p.m. The Learjet 36A, N31GJ, will attempt a world-record flight over both the North and South Poles before returning to Wichita in the afternoon or early evening of May 3. No Learjet has previously attempted such a flight. As part of its mission, the crew will conduct an EPA experiment in Antarctica in collaboration with the National Science Foundation.

The Polar Mission is the foundation’s second circumnavigation fundraiser. The first, known as The Century Mission in April 2024, set an around-the-world speed record and raised significant funds for the restoration project.

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) is maintaining its grading of D+ for U.S. aviation infrastructure, citing a capacity-constrained system that is projected to only worsen over time. ASCE releases its Report Card for America’s Infrastructure every four years, providing an infrastructure assessment throughout the nation.

For aviation, the report pointed to FAA projections that passenger traffic is expected to increase at a rate of 2.5% annually between 2023 and 2044, from 811 million to 1.3 billion. At the same time, the agency has found that 11 airports are expected to be runway-capacity-constrained by 2028, increasing to 14 by 2033. (“Capacity constrained” is defined as airports exceeding 80% of their hourly runway capacity for at least 50% of the time.) Further, 13 more airports are at risk of “significant congestion” through 2033, according to the report.

The report acknowledged that the FAA has made strides in its air traffic modernization efforts, but said progress continues to be slow. Meanwhile, the FAA estimates that $67.5 billion in capital development projects is needed over the next five years, including approximately 18,100 projects for 3,287 existing airports and five new ones. But ASCE’s “Bridging the Gap” economic study found a need for $310 billion in investment through 2033.

The NBAA Young Professionals (YoPro) Council is preparing for its fourth-annual Washington, D.C. Fly-In on June 11. This event is designed to equip young professionals in business aviation with the skills and knowledge needed to engage effectively with policymakers and advocate for the industry’s future.

Participants will meet with members of Congress, attend educational sessions on legislative and regulatory issues, and network with industry leaders and peers. This year’s Fly-In comes at a critical time for the business aviation industry, which is facing challenges such as workforce shortages, regulatory uncertainty, and concerns about ATC safety.

The Fly-In also provides a platform to discuss the industry’s broader challenges, including economic and regulatory uncertainty. Over the years, the Fly-In has built momentum, with young professionals returning to their communities inspired to continue advocating for the industry. “The passion and enthusiasm they bring to the Hill is palpable and leaves a lasting impact on the lawmakers and staff they meet,” Hall said.

All young professionals in the business aviation industry are encouraged to participate. No previous advocacy experience is required.