According to Hagerty Jet Group, preowned Gulfstream transactions soared 20% last year for the 10 models it tracks: the G150, G200, G280, GIV-SP, G450, G500, GV, G550, G600, and G650/650ER. It said the “final transaction numbers for 2024 were a lot stronger than we anticipated,” finishing the year with 261 Gulfstreams changing hands versus 217 in 2023. Hagerty Jet’s data showed that most models saw pricing fall, returning to at or near-pre-pandemic levels.

The top seller last year from this group was the G550, production of which ended in July 2021, with 64 sales, up from 50 in 2023 and 37 in 2022. Inventory of these ultra-long-range jets was consistent throughout the year at 35 to 40 aircraft, representing 6% of the fleet, Hagerty Jet said.

Meanwhile, the G600 maintained the lowest inventory of the Gulfstream models the company actively monitors, with only 2.5% of the fleet for sale. “We had anticipated more preowned G600s coming to market when the G700s started delivering, but so far we haven’t seen a flood of any models impacted” by shipments of Gulfstream’s flagship G700.

Not far behind is the G650/650ER, with only 4% of the fleet for sale and transactions in the fourth quarter being “the highest in the history of this model.” Hagerty said supply of this model “remained more stable than expected” and is “proving to be very popular.”

EASA has issued type certification for Pratt & Whitney Canada’s PW545D engine that powers Textron Aviation’s Cessna Citation Ascend. The European air safety regulator confirmed the approval on December 18 at the end of a 20-month process that started when the manufacturer filed its application in April 2022. The engine received Transport Canada and FAA type certification in July.

Textron Aviation is aiming to complete type certification and service entry for the Ascend this year, having launched the midsized twinjet in May 2023. The aircraft's pair of PW545D turbofans are expected to deliver improved fuel efficiency for the latest member of the Citation 560XL family through improvements over the earlier PW545 engines to the high-pressure compressor, single-stage turbine module, and exhaust mixer.

The 4,200-pound-thrust PW545D is the largest and most powerful member of the PW500-series turbofans. P&WC's PW545C already powers the Citation XLS+, while the the -A and -B models are on the Excel and XLS, respectively.

According to Pratt & Whitney, the PW545D will be able to operate with a 50% blend of sustainable aviation fuel. The engine supports the manufacturer’s Flight, Acquisition, Storage, and Transmission health monitoring and diagnostics system. Operators using this technology who are enrolled in the Eagle Service Plan hourly maintenance program will have access to the 6,000-hour time-between-overhaul option.

Private jet card hourly rates ticked up by 2.8% year over year (YOY) in the fourth quarter even while softening by 0.5% from the third quarter, according to the latest report from Private Jet Card Comparisons (PJCC). In addition, the average hourly rate for fixed/capped-rate jet cards with guaranteed availability was 23.8% higher than pre-Covid fourth-quarter 2019 prices.

According to PJCC, hourly jet card rates averaged $11,052 at the end of 2024, down by $50 per hour from the third quarter. Rates include the 7.5% federal excise tax.

Minimum flying time charged increased from 86.1 minutes in the third quarter to 86.7 minutes in the most recent quarter. Even so, these minimums are in line with the 2019 average of 86.2 minutes. At the same time, peak days dropped from 47.5 days at the end of 2023 to 44.6 days at the end of 2024. That is still well above the 22.8 average in the fourth quarter of 2019.

“While general economy and airline pricing data for FY 2024 is not yet available to compare, the increase in jet card pricing is largely in line with overall air travel, which between 2019 and 2023 increased by 25.3%, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation,” said Doug Gollan, editor-in-chief and president of PJCC.

AEG Connect, the branded dealer network of AEG Fuels, has expanded with the addition of Riverside Jet Center, one of two service providers at Oklahoma’s Tulsa Riverside Airport (KRVS).

Located on the west side of the airport, the FBO, which describes itself as “The Best Little FBO Shack in the Midwest,” has more than 74,000 sq ft of hangar space capable of sheltering up to a midsize business jet. It also offers onsite car rental, a pilot lounge, kitchen, and two late-model fuel trucks. Known for its low fuel prices, the facility specializes in quick turns with a goal of servicing the aircraft in less than 12 minutes.

“Joining the AEG Connect Network allows us to broaden our reach and offer unparalleled support to a larger clientele,” said Michael Curtis, the FBO’s general manager, adding that the location’s goal is to increase fuel sales while continuing to offer quality service. “AEG Fuels has an outstanding reputation for reliability and innovation and we are proud to be part of this prestigious network.”

This latest addition brings AEG Connect to 24 locations worldwide since the network's launch in late 2022.

The FAA has announced Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) for Washington, D.C., in preparation for the 2025 Presidential Inauguration. These restrictions will be enforced beginning January 20 and will include the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area Special Flight Rules Area (DC SFRA) and the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area Flight Restricted Zone (DC FRZ). The FAA expects to publish these notams no later than January 15.

Restrictions for the SFRA and FRZ will affect all flight operations, including the Department of Defense, law enforcement, and air ambulance missions. These operations will require prior approval from the Air Security Operations Center (ASOC), and coordination will only be accepted within 48 hours of the notam’s effective time.

All VFR pattern operations in the SFRA will be suspended, as will uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) operations. Access to smaller airports within the SFRA will also be suspended under the TFR.

Part 135 and Part 91 flights with an active IFR flight plan will only be allowed to operate at Dulles International Airport (KIAD), Baltimore Washington International Airport (KBWI), and Manassas Regional Airport (KHEF), but transit through the SFRA will be restricted, except for specific landing procedures at these airports. Additionally, flights arriving or departing from Joint Base Andrews (KADW) or Davison Army Airfield (KDAA) must also obtain ASOC approval.

Fractional aircraft provider Flexjet has submitted its declaration of compliance to the FAA for the new mandatory rule under Part 5 Safety Management System (SMS), meeting the regulatory requirements well before the May 2027 deadline. The decision to submit the compliance declaration follows Flexjet’s participation in the FAA's SMS Voluntary Program since 2021.

In addition to early compliance with the requirements, Flexjet has earned a series of safety certifications, including a platinum safety rating from Argus, an IS-BAO Stage 2 registration, and 25 FAA Diamond Awards for excellence in aviation maintenance training. The company said its comprehensive safety management approach ensures that safety remains a top priority for both clients and personnel.

“It takes an organization-wide culture of safety to be able to proactively build out a safety management system like this so far ahead of the FAA’s deadline, and Flexjet is a prime example for the industry to follow,” said company chief safety officer Charles Starkowsky.

Flexjet said it has been proactive in enhancing its SMS to not only meet FAA standards but also incorporate best practices from global regulators. Its SMS program includes four critical components: safety policy, risk management, assurance, and promotion, which together form a framework ensuring the safety of its aircraft, pilots, and crews, the company noted.

Kansas-based MRO and FBO services provider Yingling Aviation has acquired Wichita-based company Global Engineering & Technology, a company that provides aircraft cabin refurbishment.

With more than three decades of experience, Global Engineering—which specializes in interior design and restoration—has fabricated the interiors of more than 4,500 business aircraft. The company offers a wide variety of services such as aircraft cabinet restoration, upholstered panel recovery, new furniture production, and seat recovering and refurbishment.

“Integrating [Global Engineering] into our operations will allow us to greatly increase our scope of work for interior renovations while accelerating client turnaround times,” said Yingling CEO Bob Rasberry. “Having collaborated closely with [the company] over the years, we have firsthand knowledge of the quality of their team and its outstanding reputation across the industry.”

The move adds 60,000 sq ft of floor space as AE Industrial Partners-backed Yingling continues to expand its footprint at Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport (KICT).

“The acquisition of [Global Engineering] marks another milestone in our strategy to build a unique independent MRO platform with deep operating experience and technical expertise to serve the business aviation market,” explained AE Industrial Partners managing partner Jon Nemo. “The range of services [it] provides is a natural complement to Yingling’s MRO business and will allow us to unlock new growth opportunities.”