Bell Textron delivered 20 commercial helicopters in the first quarter, down from 29 in the same period last year, as a sharp drop in commercial volume offset continued ramp-up of the MV-75 Cheyenne military tiltrotor program. Despite the decline in commercial deliveries, the rotorcraft manufacturer’s overall revenues climbed 9% to $1.1 billion, up $87 million from first-quarter 2025.

The revenue increase was driven by higher military revenues of $161 million, primarily reflecting growth of the U.S. Army MV-75 program, partially offset by reduced volume on V-22 production and military sustainment programs. Commercial revenues fell $74 million year over year.

First-quarter commercial deliveries included twelve 505s, five 407s, and three 429s, with zero 412s shipped in the period. This compares with first-quarter 2025 deliveries of twelve 505s, eleven 407s, three 429s, and three 412s. On the military side, Bell shipped two V-22s and no H-1s in first-quarter 2026—the same as in first-quarter 2025.

Bell’s segment profit of $72 million was down $18 million from a year ago, reflecting an unfavorable impact from the mix of military programs along with the lower commercial volume and mix. Backlog for Bell at the end of the quarter stood at $7.6 billion. Textron Inc. CFO David Rosenberg said the commercial side should normalize over the balance of the year.

Europe’s business aviation community likely never thought it would have to contemplate more existential threats than luxury taxes and decarbonization mandates. And then the Iran war’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz raised the all-too-real prospect of flights being grounded for lack of their lifeblood—jet fuel.

According to no lesser an authority than International Energy Agency executive director Fatih Birol, Europe could face chronic fuel shortages by the end of May. In the meantime, the price of jet-A has more than doubled in the region since the conflict started on February 28, driving up operating costs to levels that seem to challenge the limits of economic sustainability.

IATA’s latest (April 24) fuel price tracker shows the average weekly price of jet-A as $4.46 per gallon in Europe, with only Africa showing higher prices ($4.49). At that point, the Brent barrel price of crude oil was at just under $110, but this week it is hovering around $124.

At Aero Friedrichshafen last week, charter operators and industry leaders tried to put on a brave face, insisting that the resilience that has seen them through plagues and previous conflicts will prevail in this crisis. But during conference panel sessions, there was an acknowledgement that sourcing fuel is likely to get harder as the summer charter season gets underway and that rising costs could dent demand.

The FAA has published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) for an airworthiness directive (AD) that would mandate tests and maintenance after hung starts for 1,152 CF34-1A, -3A/3A1/3A2, and -3B engines on U.S.-registered Bombardier Challenger 601s, 604s, 605s, and 650s. The move is a result of the crash of a Hop-A-Jet Challenger 604 on Feb. 9, 2024, after a dual engine failure. Comments are due by June 15.

“The FAA is issuing this NPRM after determining that the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design,” according to the agency.

The AD would require, after a hung start, repetitive engine heat soak restart tests, and, based on the tests, further troubleshooting and corrective actions. “This proposed AD would also require performing a borescope inspection (BSI) of the HPC [high pressure compressor] case for corrosion and, depending on the results of the BSI, a VG [variable geometry] system functional check for pressure evaluation.”

It would also require, depending on inspection results, “performing a force gage test on the feedback cable for tightness and a visual inspection of the VG system for obstruction and, if necessary, removal of the engine from service. This proposed AD would also require revising the ALS [airworthiness limitations section] of the existing engine maintenance manual to incorporate the VG system functional check.”

While the imposition of special event fees by FBOs at major events may now seem an unavoidable part of business aviation, some smaller service providers, such as Clay Lacy Aviation and Desert Jet Center, are bucking that trend in an effort to differentiate themselves.

“Special event fees were originally implemented to help offset the legitimate and significant costs associated with handling high-volume traffic within a compressed timeframe such as the Super Bowl,” said Doug Wilson, chief business officer for Clay Lacy’s FBO division. “These events can require flying in additional personnel, securing accommodations, bringing in extra ground support equipment, and mobilizing more fuel trucks to meet demand, all of which drive real operational expense.”

Yet, according to the California-based company, that paradigm has since expanded to include smaller events that don’t generate significant traffic. With the upcoming FIFA World Cup tournament spanning 16 host cities across North America over a month, the company anticipates no such logistical strain. Thus, Clay Lacy will not charge special event fees at its FBOs serving the host city of Los Angeles—Van Nuys Airport (KVNY) and John Wayne Airport (KSNA)—or at Waterbury-Oxford Airport (KOXC) in Connecticut, with proximity to FIFA games in New York and Boston.

Meanwhile, Desert Jet Center in Palm Springs, California, also declined to implement them for aircraft arriving this month for music festivals Coachella and Stagecoach.

West Star Aviation is alerting Bombardier Global Express operators to an update that could significantly reduce labor and inspection costs during the 180-month inspection, if properly planned.

The U.S. House of Representatives’ passage of a bill is expected to spur the growth of the sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) industry, according to NBAA. Included in H.R.7567—the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026—are measures that, for the first time, will expand the existing biofuels category to include SAF derived from renewable agricultural feedstocks.

Introduced earlier this year by House Agriculture Committee Chairman Rep. Glenn Thompson (R-Pennsylvania), the overall bill aims to update U.S. agricultural policies, expand producer credits, and strengthen rural communities through means such as the promotion of public-private partnerships for the development, deployment, and commercialization of biofuels and sustainable aviation fuels.

The legislation identifies SAF production as a key path for rural economic development and calls on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to identify opportunities to maximize SAF development by “leveraging the capabilities of America’s farmers, ranchers, foresters, and producers to capture opportunities in the sustainable aviation fuels market.”

NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen said, “We are also grateful to see House lawmakers acknowledge not only the environmental benefits of sustainable aviation fuels, but also their potential for significant economic contributions to our country’s farmers and rural communities. As the bill now moves to the U.S. Senate for consideration, we urge that chamber to take prompt action to advance this important legislation into law.”

Data analyst WingX believes business aviation in North America is set for “one of the most significant demand events in its history” with the FIFA World Cup coming to the U.S., Canada, and Mexico this summer. Compared with surges in the three previous World Cups, WingX noted a consistent pattern of business jet fuel uplift spikes, with host city airports averaging a factor of 1.5, increasing to 1.9x for the quarterfinal matches and 5.2x for the semifinals.

“The numbers accelerate sharply as the tournament reaches its climax, peaking at an average surge factor of 12.9x for the final,” the analyst said. “With 16 host cities spread across three countries and the tournament running from June through July, the 2026 World Cup represents an unprecedented concentration of high surge bizjet demand events across the three countries.”

This comes as business aircraft traffic has already remained ahead of 2025 activity globally. WingX’s latest Weekly Global Market Tracker found that operations for the sector were up by 4.6% from the beginning of the year through April 26 when compared with the same period in 2025.

Middle East activity remains muted, off by 30.7% for the week ending April 26. Fuel uplift in the region was still down by 18% over the baseline period of February 9 to March 8. However, that was stable from the week before.

General aviation manufacturer WACO Aircraft—owned since 2018 by Germany-based Dimor Group—abruptly announced on Wednesday that it was shutting down its aircraft production facility in Battle Creek, Michigan. WACO’s adjoining FBO/MRO facility, Centennial Aircraft Services, is also winding down its operations.

The company was the spiritual descendant of the original Weaver Aircraft Co. (WACO), which was founded in 1920 and produced open-cockpit biplanes that have since become classics. In 1983, the designs were revived by new ownership, and production of the modernized aircraft began. In 1999, it moved its plant to Battle Creek Executive Airport at Kellogg Field (KBTL). It opened an FBO in 2021.

A person with ties to the organization told AIN the FBO will continue to operate for another 60 to 90 days with a limited staff. It will continue to service general aviation aircraft, they said, but warned that business jet and turboprop operators should check with the FBO ahead of time to ensure there will be a staffer trained in jet-A fueling on hand upon arrival. WACO will honor the lease of the restaurant on the second floor of the terminal, which will continue to operate as normal.

According to the source, a handful of prospective buyers are considering purchasing the company.

Diamond Aircraft’s special mission aircraft division is planning to improve the performance of its DA62 MPP (multi-purpose platform) piston twin. The Austrian company recently issued its “development roadmap” for 2026, explaining that it intends to boost aerodynamic efficiency, crew situational awareness, and sensor versatility to position the aircraft for more diverse civil and military roles.

According to Diamond, a new beyond-line-of-sight radome will reduce drag and improve the sensor’s performance. The company is also adding a tail-mounted camera integrated with the DA62’s Garmin G1000 multifunction display to improve situational awareness in complex mission environments.

The 2026 roadmap also covers an application for a supplemental type certificate to integrate non-eye-safe lasers to support advanced mapping systems. Other planned add-ons include a universal mounting frame in the aircraft belly for items such as Riegl VQX-2 lidar sensors and life rafts, as well as a new BR800 surveillance radar pod for maritime and border patrol missions.

Last year, Diamond conducted flight trials to validate the Starlink Mini connectivity system on the DA62 MPP. The manufacturer certified a 132-pound increase in maximum takeoff weight to 5,192 pounds to allow for more mission equipment or fuel. The aircraft is also now cleared for flight into known icing conditions and to use an improved transponder for ground- and space-based ADS-B receivers to enhance tracking in remote areas and during low-altitude flights.

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