The London-area Farnborough Airport is seeking approval to increase weekend movements and also for somewhat heavier aircraft than current limits permit. On Monday, the airport filed an appeal to the UK government’s Planning Inspectorate based on so-called “non-determination” of an earlier application to the local Rushmoor Borough Council to adjust operating rules.

According to a Farnborough Airport spokesperson, the airfield wants to increase the annual limit for weekend flights from 8,900 to 13,500. The aim is to increase weekend traffic at the same rate as weekday flights to meet anticipated demand over the next 10 years.

In November, the privately owned airport, which only handles business aircraft and has no scheduled flights, filed a planning application with Rushmoor to increase the total number of permitted annual movements from 50,000 to 70,000. This application, which followed an earlier filing in 2023, remains unresolved, prompting the airport to seek resolution with the central government.

“We currently handle in total approximately 32,000 flights per year, of which our current non-weekday flights of 8,700 are 27%, which is broadly proportional to the number of non-weekday days in the year,” the spokesperson told AIN. “If we are able to increase our non-weekday flights to 13,500, this will mean that by the time we reach 50,000 [total annual movements], the 27% proportion will be maintained."

Jet Aviation has signed a 30-year lease to operate an FBO at Denver-area Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport (KBJC). The facility will be the cornerstone of an aviation campus to be jointly developed at the airport by SR Aviation Infrastructure (SRAI) and Business Aviation (BA) Group.

Scheduled to open in 2028 as the third service provider at KBJC, the 15-acre complex on the south side of the field will feature a 7,500-sq-ft terminal, 70,000 sq ft of hangar space capable of sheltering ultra-long-range business jets, and more than 4.5 acres of ramp.

“With its proximity to both the city and surrounding ski areas, Rocky Mountain Airport continues to grow as a key hub for our U.S. and international customers,” said David Best, Jet Aviation’s senior v-p of regional operations and general manager of the Americas. “We look forward to working closely with our partners, the airport, and the local community, to design and build a world-class FBO that brings our commitment to safety, operational excellence, and seamless, personalized service to Colorado.”

Leading the investment, development, and long-term ownership of the project, SRAI plans to add private hangar infrastructure at the location. It is working alongside BA Group, which is serving as master developer for the broader south side campus and overseeing site strategy and development execution.

Dubai-based aircraft management company Gulf Wings has taken delivery of a Bombardier Global 8000 that it will manage on behalf of BUA Group, one of Nigeria’s largest conglomerates. With its four-zone cabin offering a private suite, living area, dining space, and dedicated office, the Global 8000—now the fastest business jet—combines the operational reach of a commercial aircraft with the privacy and refinement demanded by global principals.

The 8,000-nm twinjet was recently handed over during a ceremony at Bombardier’s Montreal completion center and will enter service shortly from Gulf Wings’ UAE base. The Global 8000 will become the crown jewel of the aircraft portfolio that Gulf Wings manages for BUA Group, which has businesses in mining, food processing, cement manufacturing, port operations, construction, and oil and gas. As the conglomerate’s operations across the region have expanded, so too have its aviation requirements.

“Gulf Wings has never given me reason to second-guess this partnership, and when you are running businesses across multiple countries at the pace BUA demands, that kind of trust is not a small thing,” explained BUA Group founder and chairman Abdul Samad Rabiu. “This aircraft is the most capable we have ever operated, and I am proud it is managed by our partners in the UAE.”

AEG Fuels has added three new locations across the U.S. to its AEG Connect branded-dealer network. These latest additions bring the network, established in 2022, to 55 locations.

In California, at Chino Airport (KCNO), Flying Tigers operates from a recreated 1940s Army Air Corps base, blending aviation history with operational convenience that reflects the legacy of the original Flying Tigers.

Moving further east, Velocity FBO at Louisiana’s Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport (KBTR) offers modern facilities and a seamless experience for crews and passengers, along with convenient access to the Gulf Coast region.

Lastly, Keystone Heights Airport, located near Gainesville, Florida, was constructed in 1942 as an Army Air Forces training base. With its main runway measuring more than 5,000 feet long, it serves Bradford and Clay Counties as a public-use gateway for the Northeast part of the state, and supports flight training, aircraft rentals, and specialized aerobatic operations.

“We’re excited to welcome Flying Tigers, Velocity FBO, and Keystone Heights Airport to the AEG Connect Network,” said Justin Clementi, AEG’s v-p for general aviation. “Each location brings unique value, from Flying Tigers’ immersive historical concept to Velocity FBO’s premier Gulf Coast service offering to Keystone Heights’ important regional presence. Together, they enhance the strength of our global network.”

Gulfstream MRO services have taken flight at the StandardAero Augusta, GA facility, and CompleteCare® support is available across the U.S. Backed by a $1M investment in Gulfstream training and tooling, and an 80k sq.ft. aircraft and service center expansion, StandardAero Augusta joins StandardAero’s Springfield, IL and Van Nuys, CA service centers in providing MRO services for legacy large cabin Gulfstream aircraft.

Fifteen years ago, Cessna Aircraft (which became part of Textron Aviation in 2014) opened a service center in Prague. As one of 21 Textron Aviation factory-owned service centers, the Prague facility is now celebrating the past decade and a half of serving European owners and operators of Textron Aviation airplanes.

There are about 1,700 turbine-powered Cessna and Beechcraft airplanes based in Europe, justifying the need for Textron Aviation’s service center at Prague International Airport (LKPR), as well as at Zurich, Paris, Valencia (Spain), and Düsseldorf (Germany). “With company-owned service centers in [these cities], the network provides factory-direct support close to where customers operate,” according to Textron Aviation.

Covering 6,100 sq ft, the Prague service center offers “scheduled maintenance, interior upgrades, and select modifications, helping customers maintain performance and reliability throughout the life cycle of their aircraft.”

“Fifteen years in Prague represents an important milestone for our team and reflects the trust European operators place in us,” said Prague general manager Christof Kandel. “As fleet and customers evolve, our focus remains on delivering consistent, factory-direct support that helps operators keep aircraft flying and missions on schedule.”

Charter operator Magellan Jets is offering a new jet card program that allows buyers to select the hours they need instead of the traditional 25-hour increments. The flexible-hour jet cards are available for specific “Advantage Routes,” which are frequently flown high-demand corridors.

Starting with two routes in the eastern U.S., Advantage Routes will expand to 10 in the fourth quarter. Magellan Jets will add routes “based on seasonal travel, holiday demand, and popular destinations.”

To purchase the desired number of hours, buyers start at the 25-hour level and add more hours. Magellan Jets has also added more benefits at the 25-, 50-, and 100-hour jet card levels, with category jet cards for light, midsize, super-midsize, or heavy jets or premium jet cards for specific airplane types such as the Embraer Phenom 300, Bombardier Challenger 350, or Gulfstream G450 or G550.

At 25 hours, customers can access up to four airplanes per day and receive a 12-month rate lock and 10% long-leg and round-trip rate advantage. At 50 hours, Magellan Jets provides access to up to six airplanes a day, a 7% Advantage Routes rate reduction, 18-month rate-lock, 15% long-leg and round-trip rate advantage, and four short-leg waivers. The 100-hour level adds a 24-month rate lock, 20% long-leg and round-trip rate advantage, eight short-leg waivers, and access to up to eight airplanes per day.

Boost Human External Cargo Systems has developed a system for mounting Starlink Mini antennas on its Airbus Helicopters AS350 and H125 AStar cargo baskets. The mount holds the Starlink hardware securely and is compatible with cargo basket lids, “ensuring a quick, easy, and secure fit as well as optimizing satellite reception for the Starlink,” according to Boost Systems.

“This solution enhances what we offer operators in the field,” said Boost Systems v-p of operations Jeff Yarnold. “With this capability, crews can confidently integrate an approved Starlink into their aircraft, enhancing real-time communication, data access, and overall mission effectiveness.”

Based in North Vancouver, Canada, Boost Systems specializes in providing mission equipment and human external cargo operations training. The equipment includes search-and-rescue, utility, and firefighting products, as well as engineering and aircraft certification services. The company has a Transport Canada design approval representative on staff.

SpaceX’s Starlink Mini system offers reduced-cost aviation service packages for low-speed aircraft, with General Aviation Local for aircraft flying at less than 261 knots starting at $200/month for 50 GB.

Vertical Aviation International (VAI) announced five new hires and five promotions today as part of its new five-year strategic plan. The industry group said its priorities now include advancing safety leadership, strengthening advocacy, expanding workforce development, and increasing international engagement.

Raffaele Vitelli, who has 20-plus years of association experience in program growth and non-dues revenue development, was named v-p of business development. VAI appointed Jim McClay senior director of regulatory affairs. McClay most recently was at AOPA. Katia Veraza was promoted to director of state government affairs and regional relations after almost four years at the association. Promoted to technical director is VAI veteran Jay Clark, who will lead the association’s data project.
 
Tanya Kirchner moved into the role of senior director of conventions, in which she will lead events including Verticon, Air Tour Safety Conference, and Aerial Work Safety Conference. Nine-year VAI veteran Emily Monahan was chosen for the position of assistant director of exhibits and experience. Meanwhile, Alyssa Vasquez was promoted from the conventions department to executive assistant to the chief of staff.

VAI hired Shawnna Kerns as creative director; she will manage marketing for events and membership and oversee social media outreach. Joining the safety and data operations team is Safae Assli. Additionally, Ubaid Tariq is now VAI’s database administration manager.