Daher Aircraft marked a major production milestone at the Paris Air Show with the delivery of the 600th aircraft in its TBM 900 series on Thursday. The milestone aircraft, a TBM 960, was handed over to U.S. buyer Jim Baum at Daher’s static display at Le Bourget Airport.

Baum is a repeat customer who previously owned a TBM 930 and a TBM 940. His TBM 960 includes Daher’s latest performance and avionics features, such as the dual-channel engine and propeller electronic control system, and a full suite of TBM e-copilot functions, including Garmin Autoland.

Daher Aircraft CEO Nicolas Chabbert credited the aircraft’s combination of jet-like speed, operational efficiency, and short-field performance, as well as ongoing product improvements and strong customer support.

Unveiled in 2022, the TBM 960 features the Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6E-66XT engine and a Hartzell five-blade composite propeller. The TBM 900 series is the best-selling generation of Daher’s high-performance turboprop singles, accounting for nearly half of the more than 1,260 TBMs delivered.

Since the TBM 900’s launch in 2014, the series has evolved through five variants, including the 910, 930, 940, and 960. The TBM has also been adapted for roles such as VIP transport and wildfire air attack coordination. Globally, the TBM fleet has logged more than 2.6 million flight hours.

The security outlook for aviation and broader regional stability “remains highly precarious as the Iran-Israel confrontation deepens, now compounded by direct U.S. involvement,” aviation security intelligence consultant Dyami said today in light of the U.S. bombing Iran’s nuclear facilities over the weekend. “Ongoing airspace closures over Iran, Israel, and parts of neighboring countries, alongside widespread flight cancellations and delays, are expected to continue amid intensified missile exchanges and military activity.”

Airlines also temporarily suspended flights to and from the UAE due to the rising escalations. As of midday today, Qatar closed its airspace “to ensure the safety of citizens, residents, and visitors” as Iran threatened to strike U.S. bases in the Middle Eastern country in retaliation. At press time, U.S. Patriot missile defense systems in Qatar were actively intercepting incoming projectiles.

Dyami also warned air crews of further GPS interference in “key corridors such as the eastern Mediterranean, the Red Sea, and the Strait of Hormuz.”

It added, “Should exchanges between the U.S., Iran, Israel, and the Houthis intensify, further airspace closures…across the Middle East, and potentially extending into the Caucasus, are highly likely. It is advisable to avoid flying through or operating in the airspace of Iraq, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon at any altitude and reconsider operations in the Middle East, at least until Iran’s response [becomes] clear.”

EASA and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced a strategic plan to address the escalating threat of global navigation satellite system (GNSS) interference following a recent joint workshop in Cologne, Germany.

The collaborative initiative addresses a 220% increase in GPS signal loss events between 2021 and 2024, according to IATA data from the Global Aviation Data Management Flight Data eXchange. Incidents of jamming and spoofing have proliferated across Eastern Europe and the Middle East, with similar occurrences reported globally.

“GNSS disruptions are evolving in terms of both frequency and complexity,” said EASA flight standards director Jesper Rasmussen. “We are no longer just containing GNSS interference—we must build resilience.” The evolving threat requires a dynamic response that goes beyond traditional containment approaches. 

The four-pillar framework encompasses enhanced reporting and monitoring, prevention and mitigation measures, infrastructure and airspace management improvements, and strengthened coordination among agencies. Key initiatives include standardizing radio call procedures for reporting interference, implementing standardized notam Q codes, and establishing real-time airspace monitoring capabilities. Technical solutions under development focus on reducing false terrain warnings, improving situational awareness through portable spoofing detectors, and ensuring rapid GPS equipment recovery following signal disruption.

While the average salary increase in business aviation dipped in 2024 compared with the prior two years, it was up 8% year over year across the board, according to NBAA’s recently released 2024 Compensation Survey. This increase was twice the national average, NBAA added.

The survey drew responses from 459 participants, representing 4,578 employees. Respondents reported on 19 different aviation-specific positions.

According to the responses, chief pilots’ and senior captains’ typical salaries are nearly double that of a copilot. Bonuses have become a key element of pilot pay, on average providing an additional 13%, on par with the 14% and 13% reported in 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Chief pilots and senior captains at the largest companies (those with $10 billion or more in corporate sales) typically received bonuses representing 22% and 20%, respectively, of additional pay. Meanwhile, a copilot at a company with $100 million or less in annual sales typically saw a 4% bonus.

Conversely, the smallest companies reported the largest salary increases, continuing a trend from 2023. Salary increases were highest in the U.S. Northwest and Southern regions. Consistent with past surveys, pilots flying the heaviest business aircraft are paid 40% more than the average pilot. The highest pilot salary on average was found in the New England region, some 31% more than the national average.

Millennials now account for more than half of booked business jet charter flights, according to London-based operator Luxaviation UK. The company reported that travelers in their 30s and 40s are now a larger part of its customer base than those aged between 50 and 70.

According to Luxaviation UK CEO George Galanopoulos, the company is increasingly taking flight bookings from affluent younger people working in industries such as technology, finance, and private equity. These clients are particularly drawn to light and midsize business aircraft for face-to-face meetings, he said.

The millennial demographic also appears eager to explore more varied destinations than their seniors. “Social media is making travel less exclusive, as users can easily find photos and videos of hidden spots,” Galanopoulos commented. “So there is growing demand for flight access to undiscovered locations that can be shown off to friends for the first time. They want to be there before all the online hype, or at least ahead of the trend. Saudi Arabia, for example, is currently piquing the interest of some of our clients who are eager to travel there while it is still relatively new to the UK market.”

Luxaviation UK is also seeing younger clients inquiring about aircraft management services, which the company said is evidence of wealth transferring to the next generation.

European business aviation operator ASL Group will be the launch customer for Vaeridion’s Microliner electric aircraft. The German start-up announced the agreement during the Paris Air Show, and also named members of its market advisory committee, which will include Aero-Dienst, Cirium, Copenhagen Air Taxi, CPH Helicopters, IBA, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, MBA, Monte, and TrueNoord.

Work to develop the aircraft, which will seat up to nine passengers, is now backed by partners including battery specialist Evolito and MT Propeller, as well as GKN Aerospace, Dassault Systèmes, and Bosch. Vaeridion aims to get Microliner certified under EASA’s Part 23 rules to start commercial operations in 2030.

Belgium-based ASL is developing what it describes as a semi-scheduled network. Its agreement with Vaeridion covers an undisclosed number of Microliners, which the company said will operate on flights of up to 217 nm.

Munich-based Vaeridion also signed a memorandum of understanding with the Netherlands’ aerospace research center NLR. Engineers from the agency will help the company with flight testing, systems validation, and regulatory compliance.

“We are now entering the exciting stage of launching an aircraft development program,” said Ivor van Dartel, CEO and co-founder of Vaeridion. “Securing our launch customer and working with outstanding technology partners set the stage to deliver emission-free flight as a scalable, real-world solution before the end of this decade.”

Charter operator Jet Linx grounded all flight operations on June 10 to hold its ninth annual Safety Summit, bringing together more than 500 employees for a full day of scenario-based training and discussions focused on safety culture and decision-making.

“Safety: Beyond the Checklist,” this year’s theme, encouraged team members to reflect on communication, leadership, and personal accountability in operational contexts. Sessions included topics such as fatigue management, airspace awareness, and real-time decision making. Employees also renewed safety pledges and recognized peer contributions to safety leadership over the past year.

Jet Linx estimated that the annual standdown represents more than $850,000 in lost revenue but emphasized that the investment aligns with its long-term safety priorities.

The Omaha-based company has voluntarily paused all operations for the event each year since 2017. This year’s summit featured keynote speakers including former NASA chief astronaut Charlie Precourt, human factors expert Rich Loudon, and Major Tyler Hicks of the U.S. Air Force.

"A healthy safety culture is when every single team member is engaged in the safety thought process every day," said Jamie Walker, executive chairman of Jet Linx. "And while this is just one day out of 365, the fact that we continue to commit this kind of time and resources year after year, shows just how meaningful it's become to every member of our team."

AIN Media Group's AircraftPost is a subscription-based platform that empowers the business aviation industry, supporting OEMs, brokers, owners, operators, appraisers, and finance companies. With access to real-time data, clients can make strategic decisions and receive insight into aircraft values. If you would like to schedule a demo, please contact Jo-Anne Arruda today.