A NetJets-operated, fractional-share-owned Cessna Citation Latitude landed on a road near Laredo International Airport (KLRD) yesterday evening and caught fire after reportedly diverting to KLRD due to an emergency. According to NetJets, “We can confirm a NetJets aircraft, tail number N523QS, was involved in an accident in Laredo, Texas, late Tuesday evening. We have received reports of injuries and a fatality related to the accident and are working with local law enforcement to confirm details.” This marks the first fatal accident of any fractional operator since NetJets created this segment in 1986.

A video published by CNN shows the jet’s fuselage resting on its right side, and people trying to break the cockpit windows. Then the cabin door opens, and people can be seen exiting. The fire was burning on the fuselage aft of the door. Another video shows the tail section of the Latitude completely separated from the fuselage.

The jet departed from Los Cabos International Airport (MMSD) and was heading to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (KAUS). According to flight-tracking data from ADS-B Exchange, as the Latitude approached KLRD, it circled to lose altitude, then lined up with the airport’s north-south runways. At about 2 nm from the runways and about 1,200 feet msl, the jet started turning to the east and descended, then landed on the Loop 20 highway about 1.5 nm from KLRD’s runways.

Palm Beach International Airport in Florida is changing its name to President Donald J. Trump International Airport, and its associated FAA, International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and International Air Transport Association (IATA) identifiers are changing correspondingly, effective July 9.

The change stems from legislation that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law on March 30, calling for the renaming of the airport and directing Palm Beach County to pursue all associated approvals to facilitate it.

In May, the FAA issued a ruling agreeing to change the location identifier from PBI to DJT. This change affects Class C and E airspace, but the action will not alter the affected boundaries, altitudes, or operating requirements. Airport officials said FAA publications and aeronautical systems will be updated to reflect the change at the time.

The ICAO code, meanwhile, goes from KPBI to KDJT. In addition, IATA has notified the airport that its code will also change to DJT and will be reflected in airline reservation systems. However, the airport advised that PBI will continue to appear until July 9.

While the name change takes effect on July 9, the airport said the transition involving signage, branding, and public-facing materials will occur in phases.

The FAA and EASA have issued a supplemental type certificate (STC) to Dassault Falcon for installation of the Gogo Galileo HDX low-earth-orbit (LEO) satcom system on Falcon 7X and 8X trijets. Gogo’s HDX electronically steered antenna provides global coverage and download speeds up to 60 Mbps and uploads up to 11 Mbps on Eutelsat’s OneWeb LEO satellite network. The half-duplex antenna measures 24 by 11.8 by 2.1 inches and weighs 21.6 pounds.

“Connectivity has become a core element of the Falcon customer experience, particularly on long‑range missions flown by the Falcon 7X and 8X,” said Dassault MRO sales support director Frederic Cadiou. “The approval of Gogo Galileo on these aircraft provides our operators with a high‑performance, reliable additional solution that meets rising expectations for global coverage and speed, while aligning well with the Falcon platform’s efficiency and design philosophy.”

Gogo’s connectivity subscription service includes value-added services such as cybersecurity protections and training, as well as 24/7 customer support in multiple languages.

Ground handling giant Swissport is refocusing its activities in the business aviation sector through its reorganized PrivatPort division. The company is adding a pair of FBOs in Mexico to the five other dedicated facilities it operates, and also provides handling for business aircraft at more than 70 locations across Swissport’s global network of around 300 airports in almost 50 countries.

The new FBOs are located at the international airports at Cancun (MMUN) and Tulum (MMTL), which serve nearby tourist resorts on Mexico’s Riviera Maya coast. PrivatPort, which has assumed responsibility for most of the locations served by the Swissport Executive business unit, also operates FBOs in Geneva, Auckland in New Zealand, and in the Moroccan cities of Casablanca, Marrakech, and Tangier.

According to PrivatPort CEO Josua Hildbrand, Swissport is ready to invest in the business aviation sector to realize what the group sees as potential to generate strong revenues. In August, PrivatPort is opening its flight operations control center in Dubai that will provide operators with 24/7 global support and a single point of contact.

“At the heart of what we do is a hybrid model that we believe is unique to the market,” Hildbrand told AIN. “We carry the soul of a boutique FBO with white-glove, discreet, bespoke hospitality and deeply personal service, combined with the backbone of a global operator.”

If your operation treats flying to Mexico and nearby islands like a longer U.S. leg, you’re not alone. That assumption often leads to fines, ramp inspection delays, documentation issues, and schedule disruptions. Nimbl created a checklist to simplify what Mexican authorities expect, so you can fly stress-free.

Hong Kong-based Metrojet has added Asia’s first Bombardier Global 8000 to its managed fleet. “This milestone is a defining moment for Metrojet,” said Metrojet CEO Dave Yip.

“The arrival of the Global 8000 demonstrates our ability to deliver world-class management solutions for the most sophisticated aircraft in the industry. We are already seeing growing interest from other Bombardier owners, and with our established Bombardier maintenance capabilities, we are confident in providing them with the same excellence and assurance that has long defined Metrojet.”

“The Global 8000 sets a new benchmark in capability and performance,” said Metrojet director of flight operations Stewart Borg. “Successfully integrating such a technologically advanced aircraft into our fleet required precision, collaboration, and strong expertise. I am immensely proud of our operations team, whose professionalism ensures that Metrojet continues to lead with safety and excellence.”

In addition to aircraft management, Metrojet provides charter, maintenance, and aviation consultancy services. The company was founded in 1997 by the Kadoorie family, which also owns a controlling interest in The Peninsula Hotel Group. Metrojet opened its second MRO base, Metrojet Engineering Clark, in the Philippines in 2012.

With a maximum range of 8,000 nm and high-speed cruise of Mach 0.92, the Global 8000 has a cabin altitude of 2,691 feet at 41,000 feet.

With social media abuzz with the musings of a German soccer tourist visiting the U.S. on a trip for the FIFA World Cup, business aviation has noticed and weighed in. Known only as Freddy on X (formerly Twitter), he has improbably garnered the attention of followers and media across the country with his posts on his impressions of America on his road trip through the South since June 5.

Many have welcomed him as he made his way across the country with free experiences, including luxury hotel rooms, professional sports team visits, behind-the-scenes tours of NASA’s Houston facility and the Houston Police Headquarters, and more.

After hearing singer Ella Langley on the radio for the first time and posting about how he enjoyed her music, Freddy was invited to meet her at her concert tomorrow night in Oklahoma City. Seeing Freddy faced with a more than six-hour drive following the Portugal versus DR Congo match today in Houston, John Owen—CEO of Kansas-based charter provider Airshare—stepped in with an offer to fly him and his two travel companions to Oklahoma City.

Noting that “no trip to the U.S. is legit without a trip to Las Vegas,” the Circa Resort also offered to send its private jet to pick him and his friends up and fly them to Las Vegas for a FIFA pool/watch party. Freddy declined the offers from Airshare and Circa.

Airbus subsidiary GFD is upgrading 16 special-mission Learjet 35A/36A twinjets with a Universal Avionics InSight Flight Display System suite. GFD selected the InSight system mainly because of its compatibility with third-party special-mission equipment used for GFD’s aerial target demonstrations.

Scandinavian Avionics will engineer the supplemental type certificate for the avionics upgrade, which will replace the Learjets’ legacy instruments. Key benefits of the upgrade are improved support for the Universal Avionics equipment and integrated capabilities for the target missions.

The InSight Flight Display System upgrade includes 10.4-in AMLCDs with high resolution and brightness and Universal Avionics’ SBAS flight management system.

“Modernizing these aircraft is a sustainable solution to address rising maintenance costs and challenges while supporting the aircraft to perform these sensitive and demanding missions for years to come,” said Universal Avionics CEO Dror Yahav. “The selection of InSight by GFD, a worldwide reference for demanding government mission environments, strengthens its position as a rugged, dependable avionics solution.”

Pro Star Aviation has received FAA supplemental type certificate (STC) approval to install the Gogo Galileo low-earth-orbit (LEO) connectivity system on the Pilatus PC-12, marking the first satellite internet option of its kind available to operators of the turboprop single.

The Londonderry, New Hampshire-based company—an authorized Pilatus sales and service center—announced the certification yesterday. Purpose-built for aviation, the Gogo Galileo system relies on a compact antenna that Pro Star mounts above the aircraft’s cargo door. It can function on its own via the Galileo Smart Cabin router or work alongside an existing Gogo Avance air-to-ground installation, giving owners a path to upgrade from older connectivity platforms.

The STC-approved design is available for new-production and in-service aircraft, said Jeff Shaw, director of sales and marketing at Pro Star Aviation. The company intends to pursue international validations in Europe, Canada, Australia, Mexico, and Brazil.

According to Pro Star, the system maintains connectivity from takeoff through touchdown with near-global coverage, including over open water, in remote areas, and in polar regions where conventional systems can be insufficient. The company said operators flying varied mission profiles should encounter few service constraints apart from certain geopolitical restrictions.