Florida, Texas, and California led business aircraft operations in North America last year, helping to drive the region to a 3.4% year-over-year gain, according to Argus International’s 2025 Business Aviation Review.

Citing its TraqPak data, Argus noted that 47 out of the 50 states logged increased activity in 2025, with the largest yearly increase occurring in Rhode Island, which was up by 20% YOY. Kentucky marked the largest decline, down 1.9%. Michigan and Maine were the only other states to see a dip in activity, falling 0.7% and 0.4%, respectively.

As for the busiest states, Florida led with 384,080 business aircraft flights in 2025, followed by Texas at 328,584, and California at 285,045. Rounding out the top five were Georgia (113,996) and Colorado (110,840). Meanwhile, New Hampshire (12,727), West Virginia (9,592), Rhode Island (6,868), Vermont (5,387), and Delaware (5,368) marked the fewest flights.

By day of the week, Thursday proved to be the busiest, averaging 10,932 flights per day, followed by Friday at an average of 10,515. Saturday was the slowest at 7,506. However, YOY flight activity increased on all days of the week, with Tuesday seeing the biggest bump of 4.7% for an average of 9,653 daily flights.

Flights topped 12,000 on 12 days in North America in 2025, while the 10,000-flight mark was reached on 168 days, up from 133 in 2024.

Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) company SkyNRG has broken ground on DSL-01—its first production facility—in Delfzijl, the Netherlands. This marks the end of a seven-year-long development process, including permitting approvals and financing agreements, and the start of the company’s evolution from a SAF distributor to producer.

DSL-01 will use the HEFA pathway to produce SAF from renewable oils, fats, and greases. The plant is slated to come online in 2028 with an anticipated output of 34,200,000 gallons annually, along with 35,000 tonnes of sustainable byproducts such as propane, butane, and naphtha.

The SkyNRG project is the first commercial-scale SAF refinery to secure non-recourse financing, reflecting growing market confidence in the renewable fuel’s production and use. According to the company, it “provides a model for future sustainable fuel projects globally.”

“Reaching this important milestone in the development of our DSL-01 facility marks an important step in our transition to becoming an owner and operator of SAF production capacity,” said SkyNRG CEO and co-founder Maarten van Dijk. “It is crucial that we increase the global production of SAF to enable future generations to have the ability to fly when needed, and SAF plays a vital role in the decarbonization of aviation.”

An FAA Information for Operators warns operators that incorrect or delayed handling of controller-pilot datalink communications (CPDLC) route uplinks in North Atlantic airspace is contributing to pilot errors and increased air traffic control workload. Failure to promptly and correctly load CPDLC route uplinks has led to what Gander Area Control Centre described as “significant flight crew confusion,” along with a “significant increase in frequency congestion, pilot errors, and ATC workload.”

The issue follows new North Atlantic procedures that discontinued blanket issuances of oceanic clearances and increased the use of route-specific clearances when a flight is not “cleared as filed.” Under updated guidance, any required changes to a flight plan must be addressed through specific ATC clearances. Gander ACC implemented the revised procedures in December 2024, introducing CPDLC route uplinks when flights were not cleared as filed.

Controllers observed that flight crews often responded “WILCO” to route uplinks but then replied to a follow-up “CONFIRM ASSIGNED ROUTE” message before loading the full new route. The FAA said this practice triggers out-of-conformance alerts and can distract controllers from higher-priority tasks.

The InFO also highlighted frequent misinterpretation of uplink messages UM79 and UM80. The guidance states that UM79, “CLEARED TO [point] VIA ROUTE CLEARANCE,” is “not a clearance to proceed direct” to that point, and that UM80, “CLEARED ROUTE CLEARANCE,” “is not a ‘cleared as filed’ message.”

FlyJets has launched a beta version of JetGPT, an artificial intelligence-powered flight assistant that uses natural language processing to search pricing and air charter availability. The company is inviting members and interested parties to become beta testers.

The large language model-driven tool allows users to find flights, pricing, and empty legs through conversational prompts rather than traditional search parameters. Users can submit requests in natural language and the system delivers real-time data from aircraft operators.

JetGPT can compile lists of empty legs and flight-sharing opportunities across multiple airports and extended time periods. For example, users can request “all empty legs going in and out of Van Nuys Airport this month,” and the system will generate an exportable list with instant booking capabilities.

“With JetGPT, FlyJets is really taking our information technology capabilities to the next level—in terms of automatically and consistently procuring a wide breadth of accurate and relevant information about aircraft…and delivering it via a simple and conversational interface,” said FlyJets founder and CEO Jessica Fisher.

The tool can also execute complex multi-step requests. Users can ask it to book a super-midsize jet flight under a specific price point, then automatically list and sell individual seats on that flight through FlyJets’ sharing exchange. Fisher said the company developed JetGPT in response to client feedback following the launch of its flight-sharing exchange last year.

WrenJet Private Air Charter has introduced a new brand identity, changing its name from Elevate Innovation, and also announced it is the first Canadian charter broker to earn Argus certified broker status.

The Burlington, Ontario-based company earned Argus certified broker status following an audit process, which evaluates organizational structure, financial controls, operator vetting procedures, emergency response planning, and trip feasibility protocols. Any findings identified during the review were required to be resolved before the rating was granted.

The Argus certified charter broker program recognizes brokers that demonstrate high standards in safety, operational oversight, and customer service. It is intended to provide charter clients with greater confidence in broker transparency and safety practices.

“Safety is our cornerstone. We rigorously adhere to international standards and protect our clients from illegal charters through our partnership with Argus,” said WrenJet principal Robert Rennert.

Meanwhile, WrenJet said the rebrand reflects a refined identity aligned with its values and long-term vision. Its ownership, leadership team, and day-to-day operations remain unchanged.

Madrid-based flight simulator manufacturer Entrol is poised to deliver a level-5 Airbus H145 pilot training device to New Zealand aeromedical operator GCH Aviation. The helicopter simulator has completed the factory acceptance test, clearing the way for installation at the operator’s Christchurch International Airport (NZCH) headquarters by the end of next month.

According to Entrol, the device features the company’s Enwall Complete LED visual system to provide pilots-in-training with an immersive experience. This includes LED panels on the floor that allow pilots to maintain visual contact with the ground or the hoist area—a critical factor for helicopter operations, said Entrol.

The visual environment is powered by Entrol’s Unreal Engine-based Envision system. Its database includes nine generic airports and heliports with 3D buildings and a realistic environment, as well as a specific heliport designed with precise 3D objects to simulate real-world operational challenges.

In addition, it is equipped with a mixed-reality hoist station and a vibration system, making the device “one of the most mission-ready configurations delivered by Entrol.” This station enables coordinated pilot and crewmember training at the same time, mirroring real-world operating conditions.

GCH Aviation plans to use the simulator to enhance its pilot training capabilities, focusing on operational safety, IFR proficiency, and specialized air ambulance mission readiness.

Baron Weather has strengthened its global aviation weather intelligence operations and named industry veteran Dave Hubner to spearhead the expansion of its services and partnerships. The Huntsville, Alabama-based company provides real-time weather data and forecasting services backed by 24/7 meteorological support for aviation operators worldwide.

“Since its beginnings, Baron has been at the forefront of some of the most significant advancements in aviation weather,” Hubner said. “I’m excited to continue that legacy by driving partner success through integrated safer, smarter services.”

Baron’s aviation weather intelligence draws from high-resolution modeling and globally derived current condition datasets, delivering detailed analysis of cloud structure, storm evolution, lightning activity, turbulence, and winds aloft. The company’s services support operational decision-making across all flight phases, from preflight planning through landing.

The company has provided aviation weather products since launching the XMWX service (now SiriusXM) in 2003. Its Storm Intel system tracks severe thunderstorms and provides threat assessments up to 60 minutes in advance, including hail size predictions and tornado risk markers.

“Dave will be integral to leading our innovation and partner engagement,” said Bob Dreisewerd, Baron Weather CEO and president. “We are dedicated to ensuring our partners—and their customers—can make the most informed weather-based decisions possible, anywhere in the world.”