Bombardier’s continued scaling of services revenue to a record $674 million in the second quarter, and a stronger mix of business jet deliveries, offset its overall four-unit drop in shipments to 32 in the quarter.

Releasing its second-quarter results this morning, the Montreal-headquartered manufacturer reported handing over seven fewer Challengers in the quarter for a total of 14. At the same time, it delivered 18 of its top-end Globals, three more than a year ago. The company ended the quarter with a $21.8 billion backlog, climbing $4.3 billion from $17.5 billion at the end of 2025, driven by a book-to-bill of 1.5:1.

For the first six months of the year, Bombardier delivered 56 aircraft—28 Challengers (five fewer year over year) and 28 Globals (up two). Bombardier CFO and executive v-p Bart Demosky said the company remains on track to meet its full-year guidance of 157 unit deliveries (at a minimum matching that of 2025) with shipments weighted to the fourth quarter. Meanwhile, revenue grew to $2.15 billion in the second quarter, up from $2.03 billion a year earlier. The services share increased to 31% of overall revenue, up a couple of percentage points from a year earlier.

Demand, he added, is a “strong tailwind,” particularly for the Global 8000 and across geographic regions, except for the Middle East.

Gulfstream Aerospace and its sister company, Jet Aviation, experienced their strongest first six months for orders since 2022, Phebe Novakovic, chairman and CEO of parent company General Dynamics (GD), said yesterday during a second-quarter investor call. In total, GD’s aerospace division (composed of the two business aviation companies) saw revenue soar 15.1% year over year (YOY) in the second quarter, to $3.525 billion, with profit rising 26.6%, to $510 million. In the first half, these totaled $6.8 billion (+11.8% YOY) and $1 billion (+20.1%), respectively, driven by more aircraft deliveries and services income. As a result, Novakovic upgraded the division’s 2026 outlook to $13.8 billion in revenue.

In the quarter, Gulfstream delivered 41 jets (six super-midsize G280s and 35 large-cabins) versus 38 (six G280s, 32 large-cabins) a year ago. That brought its first-half total to 79 shipments (13 G280s, 66 large-cabins), up from 74 (12 G280s, 62 large-cabins) last year.

Gulfstream’s book-to-bill in the quarter was 1.5:1, compared with 1.3:1 in second-quarter 2025. Year-to-date book-to-bill is 1.3:1, up from 1:1 in the first six months of last year. Aerospace backlog is now $25.15 billion, nearly $2 billion higher than at the end of the first quarter and more than $4 billion higher since December 31. Novakovic noted higher sales in Asia and North America.

BlueSky San Juan, a $54 million FBO project, has broken ground at Puerto Rico’s San Juan Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (TJSJ). Spearheaded by industry veteran José Maldonado—who previously built the Pazos FBO at TJSJ, which was later sold to Jet Aviation—the complex represents the largest business aviation development on the island in more than a decade.

The facility—scheduled for completion in third-quarter 2028 as the third service provider on the field—will feature an 8,000-sq-ft terminal, with executive and pilot lounges, conference and flight-planning rooms, and concierge services. An onsite U.S. Customs and Border Protection inspection facility will allow international arrivals to clear U.S. customs directly at TJSJ before continuing to the U.S. mainland.

Also included will be a trio of 20,000-sq-ft hangars with 30-foot-high doors, capable of sheltering the latest ultra-long-range business jets, and enough privately financed ramp to accommodate the largest commercial passenger aircraft.

Located off Runway 10, the FBO will allow aircraft to taxi directly to it within seconds of landing, minimizing ground movement and facilitating quick turns.

“Business aviation continues to evolve, and Puerto Rico needs infrastructure that supports the next generation of international operators,” said Maldonado, BlueSky San Juan’s senior partner. He added that the facility has been designed “to deliver an elite experience while reinforcing Puerto Rico’s strategic role as the Caribbean gateway to the U.S. mainland.”

Duncan Aviation recently completed a highly personalized GLEX refurbishment in Lincoln, Nebraska, combining a 120-month inspection, landing gear overhaul, Starlink installation, full paint, interior updates, and custom engineering. The bold, family-focused project transformed the aircraft with dramatic cabin design, a custom gathering credenza, black-and-red exterior paint, and squawk-free test flight.

A Gulfstream G700 flew from Los Angeles International Airport (KLAX) to Farnborough Airport (EGLF) in 8 hours 27 minutes, covering 4,740 nm (8,778 km) and besting the previous city-pair speed record by 19 minutes, according to Gulfstream.

The flight was measured from takeoff to touchdown, consistent with standard aviation speed record methodology. Gulfstream said the record adds to a growing list of city-pair records set by its fleet.

In an earlier record last month, a G800 flew from Reykjavik, Iceland, to Gulfstream’s headquarters in Savannah, Georgia, covering 2,973 nm in 5 hours 52 minutes at an average cruise speed of Mach 0.91.

“True aviation speed and distance records are measured from takeoff to touchdown, and this achievement reflects exactly the kind of performance our customers experience every day,” said Gulfstream president Mark Burns. “The G700 continues to redefine what is possible in business aviation by combining speed, range, and efficiency with an unrivaled passenger experience.”

The flagship G700 has a maximum operating speed of Mach 0.935 and a range of 7,750 nm at Mach 0.85 or 6,650 nm at Mach 0.90.

All factors, not just a stylish terminal, should be considered when selecting an FBO, according to aircraft industry sales and design consultancy Altea. “A quick sweep on the internet can be revealing, but this should be followed up by personal contact and recommendations where possible,” said Robin Dunlop, founding partner of the London-based company, which also has offices in Denmark, France, and Canada.

To help operators make informed decisions, Altea has compiled a free checklist of qualities and practices to look for before selecting an FBO. “Our checklist is designed to help owners look beyond surface-level and make wise decisions based on operational quality, transparency, and long-term value,” Dunlop explained.

Faced with rising operating costs, increased fuel prices, and special-event fees, operators need pricing transparency more than ever, Altea noted. This comes even as service providers face staffing pressures, growing fleet volumes, and increased aircraft size challenges.

Ground operations and aircraft handling remain critical factors in FBO selection. Inefficiencies can lead to delays, missed slots, and higher risk of aircraft damage. Recent incidents—including hangar fires, accidental fire foam discharge, and ground movement collisions—highlight how operational shortcuts can have significant consequences.

Security is another concern. Situations such as a security perimeter breach at an airport, which resulted in aircraft vandalism, demonstrate the potential risk when appropriate measures are not in place.

A Utah toddler who nearly died from multi-organ failure while visiting family in Uruguay has reunited with the Intermountain Health flight crew that flew more than 6,300 miles to retrieve her in January 2026. Estelle Santiago, now four, is on track for a full recovery, an outcome her parents say they did not believe was possible at the height of her illness.

Estelle Santiago had been diagnosed with hemolytic uremic syndrome while her family was visiting Uruguay. By the time she reached a hospital in Montevideo, she was seizing and had progressed into renal, respiratory, and cardiac failure. Her family contacted Intermountain Health, which activated its Flight and Ambulance team in Salt Lake City.

A crew of three medical team members and four pilots departed for Uruguay. Estelle was intubated and supported by six to seven drips managing blood pressure, cardiac output, and sedation when the team arrived. Two days later, the crew began the return flight to Salt Lake City. Estelle spent several weeks hospitalized at Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City before transitioning to rehabilitation and returning home.

Intermountain added the Challenger 604 to its air ambulance fleet in 2022 for long-range international flights and organ retrievals. The aircraft’s cabin can accommodate two patients simultaneously and support complex medical procedures in flight.

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is examining whether extended uncoordinated flight could have contributed to a Daher TBM 850 losing engine power over Manitoba on June 26, forcing the pilot to land on a highway after being unable to reach a diversion airport, according to a preliminary accident report. One of four people aboard sustained minor injuries; the aircraft, registered as C-GOWX, was substantially damaged. 

A TSBC review of flight data indicated that the aircraft had been flying uncoordinated for an extended duration before the engine failure, the preliminary report notes. “The TBM 850 flight manual includes a caution against uncoordinated flight lasting more than 30 seconds,” it states. The OEM previously published flight information letters to TBM operators “regarding previous instances of fuel starvation caused by unporting.”

The aircraft was on an IFR flight from The Pas Airport (CYQD) in Manitoba to Brandon Municipal Airport (CYBR). While descending through 13,000 feet approximately 40 nm north of CYBR, the engine stopped producing power. The pilot attempted a restart without success, notified ATC, and diverted toward Erickson Municipal Aerodrome (CKQ6) in Manitoba. The aircraft could not cover the distance to the aerodrome in a glide and touched down on Provincial Trunk Highway 45, where it left the road and came to rest in the adjacent ditch.