The model that redefined the ultra-long-range (ULR) business jet segment—the G650/650ER—is now out of production, Gulfstream Aerospace announced today. The final one, a G650ER model, recently rolled off the production line at the company’s Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport campus in Georgia and will be completed at Gulfstream’s Appleton, Wisconsin facility before being delivered to a customer later this year.

Gulfstream announced the G650 program in March 2008, unveiled the first prototype (T1) in September 2009, and flew T1 two months later. In December 2012, the G650 entered service. Until today’s announcement, the G650—and its longer-legged (7,700 nm) G650ER sibling introduced in 2014—have been in continuous production since then. They will be succeeded by the G800, which borrows the G650/650ER’s fuselage and is poised to enter service this year.

“With the G650 and the follow-on G650ER, Gulfstream created the large ULR segment,” JetNet iQ director Rollie Vincent told AIN. “With almost 600 jets in service today, there is nothing diminutive about this family of business jets. The G650 quickly established itself as the aircraft of choice for [those] needing the capabilities of a high-speed wide-cabin intercontinental jet. The ER version…became the high watermark in Gulfstream’s portfolio.”

“Since their inception, the G650 and G650ER have become the industry standard that all others have followed, recently surpassing a staggering one million flight hours,” said Gulfstream president Mark Burns.

Naples Jet Center, an independent FBO at Naples Airport (KAPF) in Florida, has inaugurated its new terminal as part of a three-year $15 million development project. In a grand opening event on Friday, the company unveiled the 13,000-sq-ft two-story building, which features a pilot lounge, passenger lounge with a bar, 12-seat conference room, concierge, locker room with showers, and tenant offices. Upstairs, there is a wrap-around open-air observation deck and event space.

It replaces the company’s former smaller terminal, which was demolished to make way for a new 31,000-sq-ft hangar that can accommodate the latest ultra-long-range business jets. When completed by mid-2025, it will bring the facility to more than 150,000 sq ft of aircraft storage space.

“This is more than a facility upgrade; it’s our commitment to providing exceptional service, unmatched amenities, a one-stop shop for all your aviation needs, and a world-class experience for our customers and guests,” said company owner and president Bruce Byerly. “We are excited to set a new standard for VIP aviation experiences in Naples and beyond.”

Liebherr-Aerospace will expand its Middle East footprint with the launch of a new service center to be located at the Mohammad bin Rashid Aerospace Hub (MBRAH) in the Dubai South development, which includes Al Maktoum International Airport (OMDW).

The project, announced at the MRO Middle East 2025 exhibition this week in Dubai, was formalized with a signed agreement between the company and MBRAH.

“This partnership underlines our position in attracting the top players in the aviation sector to establish their presence at Dubai South and operate in an integrated economic environment where they can connect with international markets,” said MBRAH CEO Tahoon Saif.

Expected to be operational by early 2026, the 26,000-sq-ft facility will be an EASA Part 145-certified service center with a focus on the repair of Liebherr aircraft components that are in use on commercial aircraft, business jets, and helicopters throughout the region. That runs the gamut from environmental control systems to flight control and actuation systems, to landing gear.

“The expansion of our MRO capabilities is one of the key elements for continuous extension of our customer support and services portfolio in the Middle East region,” said Alex Vlielander, chief customer officer at Liebherr-Aerospace & Transportation. “It enables us to service more components in-house and in-region, thus eliminating logistic routings and in parallel reducing turnaround times.”/p>

West Star Aviation has announced an expansion of its maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The project, developed in partnership with Tectonic Management Group, aims to enhance the company’s capacity and services. Construction is scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2025, with completion expected by the fourth quarter of 2026.

“This expansion highlights our ongoing commitment to meeting the needs of our customers as their requirements evolve,” said Allen McReynolds, president and COO of West Star Aviation. “We are investing in infrastructure that not only supports the growing demands of our market but also ensures that we maintain the high level of service our customers expect.”

Included in the expansion is a new 40,000-sq-ft maintenance hangar, accompanied by 15,600 sq ft of shop, office, and storage space. Additionally, a 34,000-sq-ft two-story building will be constructed, with the first floor dedicated to shop space and the second floor reserved for future office use. A leased building, formerly the Chattanooga Airport’s vehicle maintenance facility, will also undergo light renovations to accommodate carpet cutting, vehicle storage, and building maintenance operations.

The project is supported by the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, the City of Chattanooga, Hamilton County, and the TVA Economic Development Group.

Airport concierge service provider VIP-Fly has launched its premium meet-and-assist services at the UK's Manchester Airport. Passengers using the service will be guided through airport procedures, receive help with baggage handling, and benefit from expedited processing. The offering also includes access to premium lounges and an optional chauffeur service to/from the airport.

“We are thrilled to introduce our concierge services at Manchester Airport, one of the UK’s busiest…airports,” said Simon Williamson, director at VIP-Fly. “We are looking forward to providing both leisure and business travelers with a seamless and memorable experience, ensuring every journey begins and ends on a high note.”

Manchester Airport, the third-largest in the UK, is expected to accommodate around 30 million passengers in 2025. The introduction of VIP-Fly’s services will offer travelers personalized assistance aimed at enhancing convenience and efficiency.

“We’re pleased to see the launch of this new service from VIP-Fly, which will give passengers the option of a concierge escort through the terminal to their flight,” said Stephen Turner, chief commercial officer at Manchester Airport. “This is a service that we know passengers who are looking to elevate their airport experience will value.”

VIP-Fly—already operating at Birmingham, Liverpool, and Leeds Bradford airports in the UK—plans further expansion this year.

Clay Lacy Aviation’s new FBO at Connecticut’s Waterbury-Oxford Airport (KOXC) is the latest to join the Paragon Network. Construction on the complex at KOXC began in 2022, and it is being completed in stages, with a grand opening of the terminal slated for April.

The 11-acre complex includes 120,000 sq ft of hangar space capable of sheltering the latest ultra-long-range business jets, along with 24/7 maintenance and AOG support. On-field U.S. Customs and Border Protection clearance is available.

“Joining the Paragon Network offers an opportunity for Clay Lacy Aviation to further enhance our service offerings in the Northeast and expand our reach within the business aviation community,” explained Maria Garceau, the location’s general manager. “Our unwavering commitment to safety, service, and a culture of continuous improvement aligns perfectly with the values of Paragon, and we look forward to collaborating with fellow industry leaders.”

California-based Clay Lacy Aviation operates its flagship FBO at Van Nuys Airport (KVNY) and has a new facility under construction at John Wayne-Orange County Airport (KSNA) where it was awarded a lease in 2020./p>

“Clay Lacy Aviation at [KOXC] brings a wealth of experience and a commitment to excellence that aligns with our mission,” said Paragon president Crystal Kubeczka. “We look forward to the positive impact this partnership will have on both organizations and the business aviation community as a whole.”

Satys has opened a new aircraft painting hangar at Dubai's Al Maktoum International Airport (OMDW). The announcement this week follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding in December between the French company and business aviation services group ExecuJet MRO Services.

According to Satys, it aims to offer an alternative to sending aircraft overseas for painting services, reducing costs and turnaround times for regional operators. The Middle East is seeing growth in the number of locally-based business aircraft.

The hangar spans 25,830 sq ft and is set to begin operations in the second quarter of 2025. With a workforce of 30 skilled employees, the facility is equipped to handle aircraft painting for business jets and commercial models, including the Airbus A321 and Boeing 737.

“This state-of-the-art facility will enable us to deliver faster, high-quality services for both VIP and commercial aircraft,” said Satys Group CEO Christophe Cador. “Dubai’s strategic location is key to our growth in the Middle East and Asia, and we’re proud to be a trailblazer in bringing innovative aircraft painting solutions to the region.”

ExecuJet MRO Services, which is wholly owned by Dassault Aviation, provides maintenance, repair, and overhaul support for Falcon business aircraft, as well as Bombardier, Embraer, Gulfstream, and Hawker models at its Dubai facility. The company also has a facility in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur.