Key business jet industry metrics such as flight activity, backlogs, deliveries, and preowned transactions all increased in the first half of the year despite uncertainties that prevailed around ongoing trade discussions, according to Global Jet Capital’s (GJC) second-quarter Business Aviation Market Brief. Released today, the report notes, “Growth in Q2 2025 proved resilient, and the outlook for steady growth going forward has improved. As such, the business aviation market is likely to be healthy through the remainder of the year.”

In the quarter, business jet flight operations ticked up 3.1%, while OEM backlogs increased by 8.4% year over year (YOY). Preowned transactions slowed when compared with “a very robust” first quarter, but GJC said they were still up YOY. Aircraft availability also increased from the previous quarter, but still marked a YOY decline given the strong transaction volume.

This activity came against a backdrop where the White House had announced tariffs globally, triggering a sharp market decline in the immediate aftermath. “Despite the initial volatility, the economy stabilized over the course of the quarter and demonstrated continued resilience,” GJC said. Meanwhile, other economic indicators were more positive, including a 5.2% growth of China’s GDP. While uncertainties persist with the tariffs, GJC said the existing agreements, combined with better-than-expected global growth, suggested steady market improvement this year.

Indamer MJets opened an FBO at New Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport (VIDP) on August 8, becoming the second aircraft services provider there. The $20 million facility is a joint venture between Indamer Aviation and MJets Thailand. Besides FBO services, it also offers line maintenance, AOG support, and scheduled checks for Bombardier, Embraer, and Leonardo/Agusta business aircraft.

The complex features two 32,000-sq-ft hangars and a dedicated general aviation terminal with luxury lounges, business center, and integrated customs and immigration facilities. Indamer Aviation director and CEO Rajeev Gupta told AIN, “The six rooms at our FBO are designed to ensure client confidentiality—unlike the open lounge-style seating common at many Indian FBOs. This was a deliberate choice, as India’s corporate clientele values privacy.”

Meanwhile, VIDP operator GMR Airports acquired a 50% stake of the Bird Delhi General Aviation Services FBO at the airport in January. Bird Delhi, a joint venture with Swiss ExecuJet, became India’s first dedicated FBO in 2016. For GMR, the $1.8 million acquisition consolidates its control over airport adjacencies and enhances its service portfolio in high-margin aviation segments.

Two upcoming greenfield airports—Noida International Airport (VIND) in Delhi and Navi Mumbai (VANM)—have not yet announced FBO plans. However, Bird Group, which manages ground handling at VIDP, recently signed a concession agreement with VIND to provide ground-handling services.

Aviation insurer USAIG has added tuition assistance for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s professional education courses to its Performance Vector safety benefits program, expanding training options available to eligible policyholders. Performance Vector, first launched in 2011 for five e-learning programs, has continued to expand and now offers benefits for a variety of aircraft and programs, including the addition last year of fee assistance for a Vertical Aviation International operational risk and resiliency accreditation program.

Under the newest option, eligible participants can apply up to $2,800 per policy year toward tuition for courses in ERAU’s safety and risk management subject areas. The benefit covers virtual, in-person, online, and hybrid learning options, with unused funds applicable to additional eligible courses within the same policy year.

ERAU professional education offers a wide range of non-degree courses tailored to industry needs. “This tuition assistance initiative empowers USAIG policyholders to access safety and risk-focused professional education, strengthening skills and advancing safety standards across the industry,” said ERAU director of professional programs Sarah Ochs.

Robert Sumwalt, executive director of ERAU’s Boeing Center for Aviation and Aerospace Safety and former NTSB chairman, added, “With the upcoming requirements for Part 135 operators and airports to have a safety management system, these courses are even more essential.”

Online staffing platform CrewBlast has seen a surge in global contract flight crew placements, particularly in Asia and Europe. From August 10 to 17, the company facilitated contract crew placements in Norway, Nepal, Italy, Pakistan, and China.

Citing an example, CrewBlast pointed to a case in which a principal suffered a medical emergency in the EU and an immediate return to the U.S. was required. However, one of the scheduled crewmembers had already returned home. CrewBlast sourced a local, FAA-certified pilot within an hour to enable the flight to depart when needed.

Founded in 2021, CrewBlast cited a recent increase in international operator registrations and the strength of its global capabilities for the uptick in business.

Meanwhile, the company is investing in artificial intelligence and machine learning to boost the speed, reliability, and ease of use of its platform. Available contractors typically respond in under 40 seconds, according to CrewBlast.

“Seeing CrewBlast grow globally through word of mouth has been incredibly exciting,” said company CEO Timothy Griffin. “The fact that operators and crew are spreading the word organically reinforces our belief that we’re solving real challenges for this industry.”

Engineers at RTX, half a world apart, bond in building the backbone of a future plane’s power system.

Business aviation crewmembers staying in Mexico longer than seven consecutive days are subject to a departure fee, with enforcement tightening across the country, according to Universal Weather and Aviation.

Officially called the Derecho de No Residente (DNR) or nonresident fee, it is charged by Mexico’s immigration authority (Instituto Nacional de Migración) upon departure, along with a mandatory statistical record. The DNR costs 861 pesos ($46) and must be paid by credit card. Cash is not accepted.

Universal Aviation Mexico operations control center manager Hinna Garcia confirmed to AIN that “this immigration fee applied to crewmembers who exceed the seven-day stay is not a warning,” but rather a mandatory fee with official documentation requirements. “Despite a longer stay, flight crewmembers do not need a visa to enter or remain in Mexico,” she added.

Garcia noted that the DNR fee may cause departure delays due to outbound CIQ processing. Universal is advising crews and operators to consider paying in advance where possible and to plan rotations carefully to avoid unexpected disruptions. “The rule is being strictly applied at ports of entry across Mexico,” Garcia said.

Universal is also strongly advising operators to manage ground transportation in Mexico through vetted handlers due to standard regional security considerations.

XTI Aerospace cited steady progress on the development of its turbine-powered TriFan 600 vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft in a quarterly financial report released on Friday. However, the company still has not announced a targeted timeline for FAA type certification and service entry for the six-passenger TriFan 600, which has been in development since 2013. According to XTI, the TriFan 600 will combine the versatility of a helicopter with the speed and range of a business jet, cruising at 270 knots for up to 1,000 miles.

The Englewood, Colorado-based company closed the second quarter with $20 million in cash, nearly five times what it held six months earlier. This increase was primarily the result of a $16 million public offering the company completed in June and another $2.4 million it subsequently raised by exercising over-allotment options in July. Its operating expenses for the first half reached nearly $22 million, up from $8.2 million in the same period last year.

“During the second quarter, we made measurable strides toward our goal to bring the TriFan 600 to market as a game-changing aircraft for both commercial and defense applications,” said XTI chairman and CEO Scott Pomeroy. “Our engineering teams achieved foundational milestones, from finalizing the global finite element model for the latest configuration to selecting drivetrain supplier-partners, all while progressing critical FAA certification efforts.”

Regional air mobility operator, charter broker, and software developer Surf Air Mobility reported revenue of $27.4 million in the second quarter, up from $23.5 million in the first three months. Net loss in the quarter was $28 million, 51% higher than in the first quarter and “driven by a $2.6 million reduction in operating loss offset by a $12.2 million increase in other expenses, mainly due to non-cash changes in the fair value of financial instruments,” according to Surf Air.

Surf Air is “one of the largest commuter airlines in the U.S. by scheduled departures” and operates the largest fleet of Cessna Caravan turboprop singles. The company’s flight operations are conducted by Southern Airways Express, which Surf Air purchased in July 2023, and Hawaii-based Mokulele Airlines, which Southern acquired in 2019.

Another significant element of Surf Air’s business is its SurfOS software suite, which includes modules for charter brokers (BrokerOS), aircraft operators (OperatorOS), and aircraft owners (OwnerOS).

Second-quarter revenue of $27.4 million exceeded Surf Air’s expectation of $23.5 to $26.5 million and was 17% higher than the first quarter. Scheduled service revenue climbed 20% and on-demand charter brokerage revenue 5%.

Arcadea’s Vellox Group has acquired France-based maintenance software developer Aviation Dedicated Software (ADSoftware), adding MRO and continuing airworthiness management organization (CAMO) capabilities to Vellox’s operations platform.

ADSoftware serves airline and helicopter operators as well as providers of CAMO services. Arcadea launched Vellox Group earlier this year to consolidate Spidertracks, Air Maestro, Flight Vector, and Complete Flight under one platform.

The combination of the two companies’ software platforms creates a “one-stop solution for operations and maintenance management,” according to Vellox, “…offering unified workflows that eliminate silos between flight operations and maintenance.”

The combined platform will give users access to: “seamless workflows across planning, dispatch, safety, and maintenance; a single, cohesive user experience; advanced decision support and analytics tools; and elevated compliance and audit-readiness,” according to Vellox.

The company will rebrand ADSoftware’s Airpack software and retain all ADSoftware employees.