To help celebrate Christmas this year in the Czech Republic, Prague’s Václav Havel Airport had all of its operational divisions participate in a way that showcased the airport’s unique functionality. Organizers marshaled 32 vehicles from airport security, terminal operation management, airport area maintenance, and the airport fire brigade onto Runway 12/30 and arranged them to create a Christmas tree complete with twinkling lights.

A video captured via drone under the organizational leadership of the airport’s marketing team is the centerpiece of its seasonal marketing campaign, which includes charity markets set up between the terminals, caroling, and distribution of gingerbread to passengers.

“Our video spot celebrates Christmas and is also a wish for all the best in 2025,” explained Eva Krejcí, the airport’s director of communications and marketing. “The Christmas holidays and the end of the year are the most appropriate times for this. We can break free from the usual hustle and bustle, spend time with loved ones, and review the past.”

Expansion by Chinese companies in the Middle East has spurred Hong Kong-based business aviation services group Sino Jet to establish its new international base in Dubai. The move announced at the recent MEBAA trade show in the UAE has been bolstered by related partnership agreements with local companies Jetex and Falcon Aviation.

Sino Jet is now recruiting industry professionals in the Middle East to work alongside senior managers relocated from its headquarters to establish aircraft management and charter operations. The company has deployed a Gulfstream G550 to be available to clients in the region and said it expects to add more aircraft as its market share grows.

According to Sino Jet, its main focus in the Middle East will be business aircraft management and charter work, as well as customized luxury travel services. A company spokesperson also told AIN that it aims to be involved in “low-altitude aircraft” operations, which will likely include eVTOL and drone services.

On December 17, Sino Jet announced a partnership with the Abu Dhabi-based Falcon Aviation group, which is also active in aircraft management and charter, as well as operating FBOs and providing maintenance, repair and overhaul services. Along with ground services group Jetex, Falcon has agreed to support Sino Jet’s expansion plans in the Middle East, leveraging its Falcon Luxe, Falcon Elite, Falcon Technic, and Falcon Flight Support business units.

Frequentis is set to increase automation for the air traffic management (ATM) systems at Oslo Airport (ENGM) and 14 regional airports around Norway, under a contract awarded on Tuesday by the country’s airports and air navigation agency Avinor. The Austrian company has been made prime contractor for the New Tower System Oslo (NeTSO) project, for which work has already began.

Avinor wants ATM towers across Norway to be equipped to more efficiently handle larger volumes of traffic. Frequentis will replace the existing advanced surface moving guidance and control system and electronic flight strips system with modern, integrated technology combining flight data and air and ground surveillance with a routing function, as well as departure management and safety tools.

In later stages of the NeTSO project, Avinor aims to transition to some remote tower capability to maintain operational continuity and with the possibility of adding remote third runway control. Frequentis has worked for Avinor on other projects including voice communications since 2002.

“Frequentis stood out with high standards across all key areas, from product quality to delivery and training,” said Avinor CEO Abraham Foss. “Their ability to meet our expectations in critical aspects highlights their dedication to delivering innovative and reliable solutions for Avinor.”

Banyan Air Service at Florida’s Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport operates one of the largest pilot shops in the industry and it has now burnished that status with the acquisition of Dare to FLY Fashion, an international aviation apparel brand founded by pilot Jen Toplak. Under the deal, the brand will be distributed exclusively through the Banyan Pilot Shop.

Toplak founded the company in 2015 after she created the Chicks FLY T-shirt for the International Organization of Women Pilots to raise funds for aviation scholarships. The lineup grew to include a unique range of aviation-related shirts, hats, and accessories.

“Jen’s artistic talents and her deep connection to aviation have made Dare to FLY a brand that resonates with pilots and aviation enthusiasts worldwide,” said Banyan Pilot Shop manager Katherine Koch. “As a fellow member of the Ninety-Nines, I have had the privilege of knowing Jen since the creation of this remarkable brand. I am proud to see how successful Jen has been with Dare to FLY and honored to continue its legacy at Banyan Pilot Shop.”

In keeping with the label’s charitable beginnings, a percentage of all sales proceeds it generates will be used to support scholarships, furthering Toplak’s vision to inspire others to pursue their dreams in aviation.

Emergency air support group Avincis is considering options for the location of a new crew training center in Europe. The Portugal-based operator, which has a fleet of around 220 helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, today announced plans to create a center of excellence to bring crew training in-house.

According to Avincis, the training facility will support the safe growth of its operations globally and standardization of operations. It will be available for crew from partner operators, and the company is now assessing options for a location that will be accessible and able to house a wide range of training disciplines.

The planned facility will offer both live and synthetic training for pilots, as well as medical and rescue crews and technicians. Avincis said it will include level-D simulators, night vision goggles, and rescue hoist simulators, with training programs covering underwater escapes, cold weather survival, air ambulance missions, mountain flying, and rescue scenarios for wind farms and cable cars.

Avincis, which has Part 147 maintenance training approval, will also develop new aircraft engineers and technicians. Beyond Europe, the company also operates in Africa and South America.

“Our people face challenging and complex situations every single day, and it is our job to make sure they are properly trained to the highest safety standards, so they are always able to perform at their best,” said Avincis Group CEO John Boag.

Seven-time Olympic medalist Shannon Miller will be the keynote speaker to open the 2025 NBAA Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference (SDC2025), taking place from March 25 to 27 in New Orleans. Miller was a member of the “Magnificent Seven” team that won the first-ever team gold for U.S. women’s gymnastics in 1996.

“We are thrilled to welcome Shannon Miller to SDC2025 and know her story will motivate attendees to reach for excellence in all aspects of life,” said NBAA senior v-p of events and professional engagement Jo Damato. “Her keynote will set the tone for what is sure to be an inspirational week of education and networking in New Orleans.”

Miller is one of the most decorated gymnasts in U.S. history and the only female athlete to be inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame twice—individually and as a member of the 1996 Olympic gymnastics team.

She is also an ovarian cancer survivor and advocates for early detection, research, survivorship, and awareness. Miller earned undergraduate degrees in marketing and entrepreneurship from the University of Houston and a law degree from Boston College.

Beta Technologies has installed an electric aircraft charging station at Atlantic Aviation’s FBO at Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport (KBAF) in Westfield, Massachusetts.

According to Beta, the charging facilities at KBAF include an airside Level 3 DC fast charger for electric aircraft and ground vehicles, plus a ground-side Level 2 charger for public use. Beta, Atlantic, and KBAF officials held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the airport on December 18 to celebrate their commissioning.

Vermont-based Beta manufactures both electric aircraft and chargers. To support the introduction of electric airplanes and eVTOL aircraft, the company has been building a network of charging stations at airports across the U.S. Beta already has 38 charging sites online in the U.S., with another 50 sites in the development and permitting stages.

Atlantic Aviation, which operates at more than 100 locations in North America, partnered with Beta last year to begin rolling out chargers at its FBOs. KBAF marks Atlantic’s sixth location to receive a Beta charger and its second in the state of Massachusetts, following Marshfield Municipal Airport (KGHG) in eastern Massachusetts.

Corporate Aviation Security International (CASI) and Aviation Safety Solutions have launched a partnership to address “a significant security shortfall” in the business aviation sector. Under the partnership, the U.S. companies will provide services such as security consulting, risk and threat assessments, training, and support for aircraft operators to implement safety management systems (SMS).

The partners said that by pooling their respective expertise in security and SMS, they will provide improved support for flight departments facing increased risks “in a dangerous world.” CASI is a veteran-owned business specializing in business aviation security that provides strategic support and protection for high-profile travelers and air crew.

“Over the last two years our clients have expressed a strong desire for a more formal and comprehensive approach to security solutions when it comes to traveling with their teams around the globe,” said Amanda Ferraro, CEO of Aviation Safety Solutions. “Our partnership brings a whole new perspective and set of solutions to the industry that hasn’t been addressed holistically before.”

AIN’s FBO survey is open for year-round feedback, but the deadline to vote in the 2025 survey (to be published in April) is January 17. The survey takes only a minute, and you can do it while waiting for passengers, on the shuttle bus to/from the hotel, or any other time that is convenient for you. Participants will be entered to win a $250 Amazon gift card (winner must reside in the U.S.). Log in to rate your experiences at the FBOs you visit.