July 17, 2025
Thursday

UAE-based charter operator Falcon Luxe has added the first Gulfstream to its fleet of eight jets. On Tuesday, the company confirmed that it has taken delivery of a Gulfstream G450, which is available along with an Embraer Legacy 650, and six Bombardier jets—four Globals and two Challenger 605s.

Owned by Falcon Luxe, the G450 offers nonstop range from Dubai to destinations such as Moscow, Zurich, the Maldives, and the Seychelles. “We listen closely to what our clients want, [and] their preferences guide everything we do,” said Rashit Abdulla Rashit Al Shene, founder and chairman of Alex Group Investment, which owns Falcon. “The arrival of the Gulfstream G450 is our way to show that we are always one step ahead in meeting their expectations.”

The group’s main base is at Dubai Al Maktoum International Airport (OMDW), where its Falcon Elite division operates one of several FBOs at the site. According to Falcon, the FBO achieved more than a 150% increase in traffic in the 10 months spanning August 2024 and May 2025. However, it did not specify the total movements handled.

In May, Falcon Luxe started offering block-hour packages to private charter customers. The company said its sales team provides flexible terms for pre-agreed flight hours at preferential rates set according to a client’s specific travel needs.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy continued his push for further federal investment into modernization of the air traffic control system, reiterating to lawmakers yesterday that it will take $31.5 billion “to do the full project.” Duffy appeared before the full House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to discuss a range of priorities for the Department of Transportation.

He appreciated that Congress allocated $12.5 billion for ATC upgrades and again called it a down payment. The DOT head also noted that he has outlined a three-to-four-year plan to completely overhaul the outdated system.

Duffy said the $12.5 billion would pave the way for new telecom, radio, voice switches, and radar technologies, along with a new air route traffic control center (ARTCC). But DOT has ambitions for six such facilities, and most of its expansive overhaul plans are for the next three years. “We will need more [funding] to do it,” he told the committee. “My hope is that we’ll have an additional conversation about how we can do that.”

He expressed confidence that, with the right resources, the FAA can meet the administration’s timeline, noting that the FAA has had procurement flexibility not used before.

Business aircraft operators heading to Milan, Italy, are facing a sudden hike in parking fees at the city’s Linate (LIML) and Malpensa (LIMC) airports. According to Ops Group and Universal Weather and Aviation, the increase was placed in effect without warning on July 1 by the airport authority, with costs escalating by as much as 650%.

Confirmed by FBO operators at both airports, the pricing is per tonne on an escalating scale depending on length of stay. Universal Weather noted that from two to 24 hours, the price at Linate increased from €0.15 per tonne per hour to €0.57. For stays of more than 72 hours, it rises to €1.09 per tonne.

At Malpensa—which previously priced parking according to time of day with a maximum charge of €0.13 per tonne during peak hours—a similar duration of stay model has been adopted, topping out at €0.77 per tonne after 72 hours.

A representative from Milan's airport authority told AIN that the fees are “defined through a very rigorous process based on national regulatory guidelines,” and added that stakeholders—including the business aviation user committee—were invited to participate in the consultation process, which began in February.

The representative also noted that fees at the airports, which “have been historically very low if compared to main European business aviation airports,” had not increased since 2020.

ForeFlight’s new Dynamic Procedures will be released on July 27 following EAA AirVenture 2025, but showgoers can get a demonstration of the electronic flight bag’s streamlined IFR procedures next week during the event. Dynamic Procedures are part of the essential or higher plan subscriptions, but anyone can try out the procedures with a three-month free preview period, including those with Starter subscriptions.

With Dynamic Procedures, once an approach has been selected and placed on the map—for example, an ILS approach—the new features are accessed by touching a sidebar button on the top right of the ForeFlight screen. This sidebar shows all information needed to brief and fly the approach.

The sidebar shows route segments for the approach, and these match the segment on the map and change color as the route is flown. Just like the map, the sidebar route includes altitude and speed restrictions and minima highlighted in magenta.

When opening the profile view in the flight plan section, the user will see an approach mode button, which draws the vertical flight path and displays own-ship position on the profile. A unique added feature is the ability to preview how the approach lights will appear instead of having to interpret the matrix table that shows various lighting systems.

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AIN Media Group has completed its acquisition of Leeham News and Analysis (LNA), adding the premier source for in-depth aerospace and airline industry insights to its portfolio. The transaction—announced at the Paris Air Show on June 17—closed today.

LNA’s team of experienced editors, writers, and analysts will continue to provide coverage of topics, including airframe and engine manufacturers, the aerospace supply chain, airline fleet planning, future technology, and maintenance, repair, and overhaul. This team is led by Scott Hamilton, founder and managing director of the Leeham company, and aeronautical and economics analyst Bjorn Fehrm.

Subscribers to the LNA platform, which includes C-suite industry leaders, will continue to enjoy exclusive access to its expert coverage of the air transport and aerospace sectors. The LNA and AIN news teams will pursue opportunities to present some shared content, with a particular focus on AIN’s FutureFlight channel and weekly newsletter, highlighting aircraft technologies and new business models.

In addition to AINonline, AIN Media Group produces the daily AINalerts newsletter, monthly Aviation International News print magazine, and daily publications at multiple airshows and aviation conventions globally, and also publishes Business Jet Traveler. Its AircraftPost subsidiary provides fact-based insight, analysis, and statistics about business jets and their market values.

The Leeham Co. LLC and Leeham Consulting businesses remain independently owned and operated.

Aircraft equipped with compatible Garmin avionics can send flight logging information to flight data analysis, scheduling, and maintenance-related service providers with the avionics manufacturer’s new automated flight logging sharing service. Garmin has also added multiple updates to the Pilot app, including internet traffic.

There are two ways to share flight logging data automatically: aircraft equipped with a GDL60 datalink and with a PlaneSync subscription can send information to the FlyGarmin website after a flight via Wi-Fi or cellular connection. Alternatively, an aircraft equipped with a Flight Stream 510 wireless gateway can connect with the Garmin Pilot app to send flight data to FlyGarmin.

Once received by the services authorized by the aircraft owner, the data—which can include GPS track, attitude information, engine data, aircraft total time, departure time, CO levels, and more—can inform engine health reports, maintenance updates, and flight analysis results.

Additions to the Garmin Pilot app include the recently released SmartCharts, which now have a final approach fix to missed approach point timing table; worldwide internet traffic on mobile devices for both iOS and Android devices and an updated version of internet traffic on Garmin Pilot Web; and color coding of internet traffic flight tracks for easier visual identification and tracking, according to Garmin.

Textron Aviation has introduced three new executive interior options—Lunar, Obsidian, and Saddle Sport—for the Cessna Grand Caravan EX. They join existing schemes Canyon and Savanna and are now available for new aircraft orders.

“The Cessna Caravan family continues to prove its excellence as one of the most versatile aircraft in the industry,” said Textron Aviation senior v-p sales and marketing Lannie O’Bannion. “Drawing from direct conversations with customers, these cabin enhancements are designed to elevate comfort and provide a more enjoyable cabin experience.”

Premium versions of the new interiors include quilted seat stitching and plush carpet. Alongside these updates, all Caravans and Grand Caravan EXs will now come standard with eight USB-C charging units—each with two ports—providing 16 total charging points for passengers.

These updates coincide with the 40th anniversary of the Cessna Caravan. Textron Aviation will showcase the Lunar Premium interior and USB-C ports in a special-edition demonstrator next week during EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

Corporate aviator and L-39 pilot Stephanie Goetz has been named spokesperson and ambassador for Corporate Angel Network (CAN), a nonprofit that arranges free flights for cancer patients on business aircraft. Known for co-piloting “The Pink Jet,” Goetz is recognized in the aviation community for her work promoting breast cancer awareness.

“We’re delighted to have Stephanie help elevate Corporate Angel Network’s public profile,” said president and CEO Bob Stangarone. “Her powerful voice and aviation expertise make her an ideal advocate to connect the cancer patients in need of life-saving treatment with the companies who help make those journeys possible.”

Goetz, who also serves as president of The Pink Jet nonprofit, will speak at industry events, appear in promotional videos, and work with CAN leadership to strengthen collaboration.

“I’m excited to explore what synergies CAN and The Pink Jet can create to help promote breast cancer awareness, support survivors, and raise money for a cure,” said Goetz. “I expect this partnership to be another important step forward in the fight against cancer.”

The new role builds on Goetz’s advocacy efforts and aims to amplify CAN’s mission of connecting cancer patients with critical care by leveraging underused corporate aircraft capacity.

New Aircraft, Booking Tech Could Reinvent Regional Air Service

Several electric and hybrid-electric aircraft from companies such as Aura Aero, Vaeridion, and Electra Aero are being developed to connect cities lacking airline service. Flyvbird, another start-up, believes artificial intelligence could enable travelers to access these services.

UPCOMING EVENTS

  • 19TH ANNUAL ELECTRIC AIRCRAFT SYMPOSIUM
  • OSHKOSH, WISCONSIN
  • July 19 - 20, 2025
 
  • EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH
  • OSHKOSH, WISCONSIN
  • July 21 - 27, 2025
 
  • AIRPORT EXPERIENCE SUMMIT 2025
  • GUANGZHOU, CHINA
  • September 8 - 11, 2025
 
  • JETNET IQ SUMMIT
  • WASHINGTON, D.C.
  • September 9 - 10, 2025
 
  • NATIONAL AVIATION HALL OF FAME ENSHRINEMENT 2025
  • WICHITA, KANSAS
  • September 19, 2025
 
  • NBAA TAX, REGULATORY & RISK MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE
  • LAS VEGAS, NEVADA
  • October 12 - 13, 2025
 
  • NBAA BUSINESS AVIATION CONVENTION & EXHIBITION (NBAA-BACE)
  • LAS VEGAS, NEVADA
  • October 14 - 16, 2025
 

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