Brazil’s ANAC civil aviation authority has certified Gulfstream’s G700 large-cabin business jet. The approval was announced today as the U.S. business jet manufacturer participated for the fourth time at the Catarina Aviation Show, which is being held through Saturday evening at São Paulo Catarina International Executive Airport (SBJH). Gulfstream Aerospace is exhibiting a G600 at the show.

According to Gulfstream president Mark Burns, Latin America is generating significant demand for the long-range G700, and the company is eager to connect with Brazilian customers. “More than 50 G700 aircraft have been delivered since it entered service in April 2024, and demand continues to grow around the world as customers experience firsthand how its range, speed, and cabin comfort are exceeding expectations,” he commented.

With a Mmo of Mach 0.935 and a high-speed cruise of Mach 0.90, the G700 has sufficient range to fly nonstop from São Paulo to Seattle. The interior can be configured into five living areas, with options that include a suite with a shower. The cabin features 100% fresh air, natural light, and what Gulfstream says is the industry’s lowest cabin altitude of 2,840 feet (at FL410).

Jet Access—one of two service providers at Dallas Executive Airport (KRBD)—has opened its new FBO facility. Located on the recently developed west side of the field, the FBO includes an 8,000-sq-ft terminal with a pilot lounge/theater room, two snooze rooms, shower facilities, flight planning area, concierge, crew cars, and two conference rooms seating 12 and 15, respectively.

The complex also offers 30,000 sq ft of hangar space, which can accommodate the latest large-cabin business jets, and a separate purpose-built maintenance facility houses tenant Jets MRO. Its fuel farm holds 36,000 gallons of jet-A and 28,000 gallons of avgas.

Jet Access, which operates seven other FBOs throughout the Midwest, has had a presence at KRBD since 2019. It originally operated from an old facility on the east side of the airport before migrating across the field at the beginning of the year.

“We couldn’t be more excited to officially open this transformational new facility here in Dallas,” said Sean White, the company’s executive v-p of FBO development. “We look forward to sharing the enhanced services and amenities with new clients and partners at Dallas Executive and believe that the new jobs and local growth that will follow will provide new opportunities for the community.”

The British government is to task the new UK Airspace Design Service (UKADS) with reshaping air traffic management processes to make more efficient use of the country’s airspace, while also reducing the carbon and noise impact of flights. Plans for the agency were confirmed on Tuesday by the Department for Transport and Civil Aviation Authority following a consultation process.

UKADS will redesign routes in what will be the first significant airspace changes since the 1950s. The group should be up and running by year-end and will work with the en-route division at air navigation service provider NATS. Further detailed consultation over possible changes is expected to start in September.

Much of the project’s initial focus will be on developing airspace changes for the London area, which is the most complex area in the UK and where improvements are expected to have the most prospect for improving efficiency. Changes will apply to all airports around the UK capital and will take into account the planned third runway at Heathrow Airport (EGLL).

The cost of UKADS’ work will be covered by the air transport industry through new charges that will mainly apply to airlines. These will be collected in a new Airspace Design Support Fund.

Nigerian business aviation company VivaJets has received its air operator certificate from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority. This expands its commercial operating rights across 34 African nations that have ratified the Yamoussoukro Decision, a treaty framework intended to liberalize air transport services and promote competitive aviation markets across the continent. The Yamoussoukro Decision is a precursor to the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), an African Union project launched in 2018 to implement the treaty framework.

“Having an African AOC gives the firm commercial rights into the 34 countries which have ratified the Yamoussoukro decision,” said VivaJets CEO Erika Achum.

Operating under parent company Falcon Aerospace, VivaJets has experienced substantial growth since its establishment two years ago. The Lagos-based operator provides aircraft charter, management, sales, and acquisition services across an expanding route network.

VivaJets has positioned itself as an advocate for continental aviation liberalization, with leadership participating in international forums to promote reduced barriers to African air travel. At the 2025 Africa CEO Forum in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, Achum called for dismantling existing restrictions that segment African airspace.

“Our skies are still segmented by outdated agreements and policies,” Achum stated. “What Africa needs is a unified, modern aviation strategy that prioritizes accessibility, innovation, and collaboration.”

MySky is expanding its portfolio with the acquisition of the “State Tax Guide” from Jet Support Services Inc. (JSSI). The acquisition will bolster MySky Tax, giving it comprehensive and up-to-date U.S. state aviation tax information. The tax guide has been part of JSSI’s Conklin & de Decker software brand for more than two decades, guiding users through complex state laws.

MySky is planning to fold the “State Tax Guide” into its platform shortly, a move that the AI-powered cost management provider said will eliminate the need for cross-referencing external resources and offer both state and U.S. federal tax features alongside each other.

Former Conklin & de Decker partner and Stubbs Aviation Consulting founder Nel Stubbs, who is the long-time author of the tax guide, will continue to support the service in an advisory role. “It will be incredibly rewarding to see the guide evolve and reach more users through MySky Tax,” Stubbs said. “Its value will only grow as part of a forward-looking, digital-first platform that’s reshaping how the industry manages tax compliance.”

Ryan DeMoor, head of aviation tax at MySky, said the acquisition reflects the company’s mission to simplify tax management through automation and intelligence. “This acquisition is about delivering completeness and clarity in one place.”

Former NTSB vice chair Alvin Brown yesterday filed a lawsuit in federal court challenging his removal from the board last month, saying it undermines the independence of the agency. The Brown v. Trump et al lawsuit seeks to restore Brown to his position on the board and prevent political interference with NTSB.

Nominated to the Board in August 2022, Brown was the first African American to be elected mayor of Jacksonville, Florida, and brought a lengthy resume in urban and community affairs to the NTSB, including experience with the White House leadership team under former President Bill Clinton. He was ultimately confirmed to the NTSB on March 8, 2024, for a term expiring on Dec. 31, 2026. At the end of 2024, then President Biden appointed Brown as vice chair, succeeding Bruce Landsberg, who retired from the agency.

According to the lawsuit, Congress has granted presidential authority only for the removal of NTSB members for “inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office.” The NTSB was set up for continuity, stability, and insulation from political pressure, the lawsuit notes.

However, the lawsuit maintains that President Donald Trump lacked any such cause when he directed the NTSB to remove Brown from the position. “Therefore, plaintiff Brown’s removal was illegal,” the lawsuit states.

The NTSB said it does not comment on ongoing litigation.

ExecuJet MRO Services Australia has become the first maintenance provider in the country to perform a 120-month maintenance check on an Embraer Legacy 500. The company has maintained this jet since it entered into service in 2015 as the first Legacy 500 delivered to a customer in Australia.

The work was done at ExecuJet’s MRO facility at Essendon Fields Airport (YMEN) in Melbourne. Company technicians removed all of the cabin and cockpit furnishings, sidewalls, and headliners to gain access for a thorough inspection of the fuselage structure. Removal of fuel tank access panels exposed the wing structure, and they also removed all flight controls to inspect attach points and removed and replaced the landing gear with overhauled units.

Embraer sent a team of experts to assist in the work, and ExecuJet MRO Services complemented its staff with technicians from its other maintenance facilities in Australia so they could gain experience with this type of work. 

“The Embraer specialists performed bonding structure tests, as well as provided valuable support throughout the project via its contact center,” said Rohan Coots, ExecuJet MRO Services general manager for Melbourne. “ExecuJet MRO Services Australia was chosen for this very heavy maintenance check because of the quality of our workmanship and experience in heavy maintenance projects.”

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