The White House took a step to clear obstacles to supersonic overland flight with the signing of an executive order on Friday that directs the FAA to lift the ban within 180 days and release a final aircraft noise certification rule for such operations within two years. In signing the executive order, the administration noted that “decades of stifling regulations grounded progress” on supersonic flight, which the order is intended to remove.

It directs the FAA to take the necessary steps, including through rulemaking, to repeal the prohibition on overland supersonic flight within 180 days. The FAA is also to establish an interim noise-based certification standard and to remove any other regulatory barriers to supersonic technology advancement.

In addition, the executive order calls for the FAA to follow with a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) within 18 months and a final rule within 24 months for a permanent supersonic aircraft noise certification standard that establishes acceptable thresholds for takeoff, landing, and en-route operation based on operational testing and research. The NPRM should outline a process for periodic review to reflect further advances and aircraft noise-reduction technology.

Noting that the standard should consider community acceptability, economic reasonableness, and technological feasibility, the order seeks consultation between multiple agencies on the research and standards. It also directs the FAA to work with ICAO and foreign aviation authorities to lift the ban in other countries.

Dassault Aviation brought two business jets for its inaugural appearance last week at the Catarina Aviation Show at São Paulo Catarina Executive Airport (SBJH): a Falcon 8X and 2000LXS. The company also opened a service center at Catarina in May, replacing its former maintenance facility at Sorocaba Airport (SDCO).

Since then, said company senior v-p of customer service John Loh, “We’ve hired more technicians and we’re still looking.” Dassault held a Falcon maintenance and operations seminar in Morumbi, a São Paulo suburb more convenient for operators based in the city, on Wednesday.

“The market is strong, with 50 Falcons in Brazil alone,” Loh said. “It’s an important support location for us.” When asked if the hangar at Catarina will grow, he said, “I would love it to. The landlord [JHSF] has worked with us.”

Loh expects that, should Dassault want more space at Catarina, it will be available. “We’ve been able to keep it [the facility] really busy. We are absolutely happy with the move. The facility is world-class, with ease of access and more customers hangared at or using Catarina.”

He said the greater capacity of the Catarina facility was needed, while adding that the airport being international allows Falcon operators to fly directly to the facility without stopping elsewhere to clear customs.

A new service provider chain has launched with the acquisition of a New Hampshire FBO. Infinity Aviation Group, the lone service provider at Nashua Airport/Boire Field (KASH), has been purchased by a group led by industry veteran Steven Levesque and backed by infrastructure investment manager Igneo.

Levesque, previously president and CEO of Leading Edge Jet Centers and Hawthorne Global Aviation services, said it will retain the name Infinity Aviation, and he intends to develop the brand into a national FBO chain.

The location—just 50 miles from downtown Boston—offers airframe, engine, and avionics maintenance and repairs to both piston and jet aircraft. It provides jet charter sales and management, as well as aircraft sales.

In a separate transaction at KASH, Infinity also acquired the holdings of aircraft hangar operator Nashua Jet Aviation. That brings it to more than 150,000 sq ft of hangar space on the field, capable of accommodating aircraft up to a Gulfstream G550.

“We are thrilled to partner with Igneo to support our strategic goals, including investment in and expansion of the Infinity Aviation platform, as we look to build an industry-leading general aviation services business,” Levesque told AIN.

Canadian business aviation salaries rose between 10% and 22% in the past two years, according to a Canadian Business Aviation Association (CBAA) survey being formally released this week at the group's annual convention. Ninety business aviation companies in Canada participated in the 2024 survey; the last such CBAA survey was conducted in 2022.

According to the results, flight crew salaries increased between 12% and 22%, while management salaries climbed 10% to 12% during the two-year period, depending on industry segment. Meanwhile, administration and sales salaries remained flat.

CBAA conducted the survey in partnership with consulting firm InterVistas. Key findings indicate that management salaries average roughly $153,000 for corporate firms and $125,000 for maintenance and manufacturing firms; flight crew salaries average roughly $147,000 and $129,000, respectively.

It also noted that, on average, corporate flight departments pay 8% more than airline and charter companies, and 13% more than manufacturing and maintenance employers. During the report period, the consumer price index in Canada rose 3.9% on average in 2023, and 2.4% in 2024.

Factors driving the shifts include ongoing labor shortages and the need to compete for skilled labor, evolving job mixes and seniority levels, and different qualification standards among survey respondents.

Latin America and the Caribbean now account for about an eighth of the global business jet fleet, with Brazil having the second-largest fleet in the world, followed by Mexico, according to an analysis that Airbus Corporate Jets released, citing JetNet data.

Of the 24,442 business jets globally, Airbus Corporate Jets said 2,975, or 12%, are registered in Latin America and the Caribbean. The U.S. remains the fleet leader with 15,492 business jets, followed by 1,103 business jets in Brazil and 1,030 in Mexico.

The Latin American/Caribbean region similarly accounts for 7% of the world’s large business jets, ranking third after the U.S. and Europe, which account for 60% and 13%, respectively. Some 657 large, long-range private jets are registered in the Latin American and Caribbean region versus 10,001 globally.

Approximately 5.7% of the region’s total business jet fleet (169) is for sale, with light jets representing the largest sector on the market at 68. Midsize jets follow with 51 for sale, and then large jets at 45. In addition, five very light jets are on the market in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Airbus Corporate Jets stressed that the volume and age of the fleet underscores a big potential for fleet renewals in the region. “Latin America continues to be a powerful player in global business aviation,” said Airbus Corporate Jets president Chadi Saade, adding that this presents an opportunity for its ACJ models.

Atlantic Aviation broke ground late last week on a redevelopment and expansion project on its FBO at Alabama’s Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (KBHM). The $40 million facility, slated for completion in early 2027, will feature a 7,500-sq-ft terminal with an open concept lobby and reception area, café, conference rooms, crew lounge, and flight-planning area. On the FBO staff side, there will be a training area, offices, and locker rooms.

Once the terminal is completed, the existing 3,500-sq-ft terminal building will be renovated for further use. Three of the facility’s existing hangars also will be retained, while two others will be demolished to make way for a pair of 30,000-sq-ft hangars that can house the latest large-cabin business jets. They will bring the location up to 116,000 sq ft of aircraft shelter space.

Atlantic will also expand its ramp by seven acres with concrete hardstands for large charter aircraft adjacent to private terminal space in one of the new hangars.

“This investment in the expansion of our presence in Birmingham is a result of outstanding collaboration with airport and city leadership,” explained Kurt Schmidt, Atlantic’s s-v-p of operations for the Southeast region. “While we take great pride in the design of the new facility itself, we are equally as proud of the economic development benefits it will bring to the airport, its users, and the local community.”

Wheels Up Experience has regained compliance with the New York Stock Exchange’s continued listing requirements after resolving a minimum share price deficiency. The NYSE confirmed on June 2 that Wheels Up’s stock closed at or above $1 per share for 30 consecutive trading days, restoring the company’s eligibility under Section 802.01C of the NYSE Listed Company Manual.

“We are pleased that in just over a month since receiving a continued listing standard notice, we have regained full compliance with NYSE listing standards through market-driven stock appreciation,” said Wheels Up CEO George Mattson. “This milestone reflects growing investor confidence in our continued progress in executing our business transformation and long-term strategy.”

Mattson also pointed to the company’s $1 billion market capitalization as an indication of investor support. He added that the company’s focus remains on building sustainable profitability and delivering premium service to its customers.

The NYSE had notified Wheels Up of its noncompliance in April, when the company’s stock price fell below the $1 threshold required for continued listing. Now that it has met the threshold, Wheels Up’s shares will continue trading on the NYSE, subject to ongoing compliance with all applicable listing requirements. The company said it remains committed to its operational turnaround and to enhancing shareholder and customer value.

AIN’s senior-level Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit (CALS) Europe, set for September 15-17 in Switzerland, will address the latest topics, strategies, and solutions in business aviation. The summit is attendee-centric and serves as an educational and professional networking platform, connecting corporate aviation leaders with peers, industry experts, and solution providers in a relaxed, informal environment. We invite flight department leaders to apply to attend this all-expenses-paid event as our guests.