Vista introduced the new flagship of its fleet, the Bombardier Global 8000, in China as the operator eyes expansion in the region. Vista’s flight activity in Greater China grew by 32% from 2024 to 2025 and, at the same time, by 25% across Asia-Pacific, the company reported.

The private aviation group touted the potential of Greater China, saying it is entering a “revolutionizing phase of growth,” with Hong Kong remaining the third-ranking financial hub globally and Shanghai moving into sixth place, according to the Global Financial Centres Index.

Both cities consistently rank among the top Vista destinations by volume, and the operator has launched a tour of its Global 8000 at both locations. Vista, one of the largest private aviation operators worldwide, is hoping to tap into a growing base of ultra-high-net-worth individuals in Greater China and accelerate flight traffic in the region.

Vista called the Global 8000 tour part of an overarching strategy to build on its breadth of services in the region. In October, the company launched XO in Asia to provide a balance of premium subscription-based products and a commitment-free option.

Resurgent Aviation Solutions (RAS), a key manufacturer and repair service for parts that keep Eclipse very light jets flying, is liquidating all of its inventory and closing after an unsuccessful attempt to sell the company. An auction of finished goods begins tomorrow, and completion is expected by August 31.

In a notice to Eclipse 500/550 owners, the company explained that it had tried to encourage a member of the Eclipse community to buy RAS, but no one successfully emerged.

Launched in 2016, RAS brought together a team of engineers, designers, technicians, installers, and FAA-designated engineering and airworthiness representatives and opened a repair station, developed FAA-approved PMA parts, and earned TSO approvals. “RAS is also the sole-source supplier for several critical [Eclipse] systems, including the aircraft computer system and autopilot,” the company said.

All finished goods will be sold via an auction, with bidding starting tomorrow. “We would suggest assuming that every item of interest is the last one, as it may well be,” RAS said. There are limited numbers of critical parts, including autopilot servos. The lack of servos will likely result in about 30 Eclipse jets becoming unairworthy every year, RAS predicted. This means about eight years of remaining life for the fleet of 260 Eclipse jets unless someone develops a replacement servo. RAS will no longer perform work on the aircraft computer system or autopilot.

UK air charter operator Zenith Aviation has ceased operations after entering administration on May 15. Paul Hargreaves of Nexus Corporate Solutions is acting as administrator and is seeking new owners for the company, which is based at London Biggin Hill Airport (EGKB).

In March 2025, Zenith was acquired by aircraft management and charter group Opul Jets, but that company—now trading as Thela Jets—ceased having control of the operation in December. Zenith operated a Bombardier Learjet 45 and a pair of Learjet 75s under its UK air operator certificate, but it does not own them.

In a written statement, Hargreaves said Zenith “is in an insolvent position due to cash flow issues, debtors not paid, and historic ownership and management issues.” He is exploring options for a possible rescue or buyout.

According to an unaudited financial statement filed with the UK’s Companies House register on March 29, Zenith had an overall loss of just over £1.9 million ($2.6 million) as of March 29, 2025. During the previous 12 months, it had recorded revenues of £14.2 million and employed 41 people.

Hargreaves told AIN that nine parties have already expressed an interest in Zenith’s assets, which are due to be valued next Tuesday. He estimated its debts at between £3 million and £5 million and said the aircraft owners are now filing to take possession of these assets.

Bombardier is marking the fifth anniversary of breaking the sound barrier with its Global 8000—the first purpose-built business jet officially recognized as having accomplished that feat—as the aircraft begins to enter service around the world. The Global 8000 reached Mach 1.015 in a shallow dive during flight testing on May 18, 2021.

While the intent wasn’t to bring the first supersonic business jet to market, the milestone was necessary to achieve certification of the model, the follow-on to the Global 7500, at higher subsonic speeds and paved the way for the Global 8000's Mach 0.95 Mmo—making it the fastest business jet to reach market.

Receiving Transport Canada, FAA, and EASA certifications in the past six months, the first Global 8000 entered service in December. Bombardier completed the transition from the Global 7500 to the Global 8000 on the production line late last year, a process that company president and CEO Éric Martel told analysts went smoothly.

In addition, a retrofit Global 8000, upgraded from the Global 7500, entered service last month with Vista, the first of 18 planned. Noting that the installed base of Global 7500s exceeds 200 aircraft, Martel said, “The majority of the customers want to upgrade their 7500s to 8000s, so our service centers are pretty busy right now doing that.”

In a global business aviation marketplace crowded with brokers, platforms, and promises, choosing the right aircraft sales partner can feel overwhelming. Buyers and sellers are often told that access, deal flow, or market timing are the deciding factors—but according to Duncan Aviation’s Aircraft Sales & Acquisitions team, those assumptions can distract from what truly matters.

Ametek MRO subsidiary Muirhead Avionics has been named as an authorized repair center by Innovative Aerosystems. The accreditation applies to selected legacy avionics products formerly developed under Honeywell product lines.

Under the agreement, UK-based Muirhead—which has supported legacy Honeywell-designed avionics for decades—is now authorized to provide approved repair and overhaul services for selected inertial reference units, radio equipment, and associated avionics systems.

According to Muirhead Avionics/Ametek MRO v-p and business manager David Bentley, avionics OEMs are increasingly collaborating with specialized MRO providers to support long-serving equipment in the field. He added that the appointment of his company will support continued product availability and regulatory compliance for operators of these legacy systems.

“As an authorized repair center, Muirhead Avionics will operate in accordance with OEM-approved repair processes, supported by access to authorized technical data, approved test equipment, and parts,” said Bentley. “This authorization enables Muirhead Avionics to support operators across Europe, Africa, and Asia with approved repair capability for selected legacy avionics platforms.”

Ametek MRO’s 13 global locations service more than 40,000 aircraft components across systems, including avionics, fuel, heat transfer, landing gear, hydraulics, pneumatics, power, safety and medical, wheels, and brakes.

Hunnu Air placed the first order for a Beechcraft King Air 360 in Mongolia, with delivery expected at the end of next year. The charter operator will use the turboprop for tourism and travel offerings, along with VIP commuter services within Mongolia.

This King Air 360 complements Hunnu Air’s other recent orders, which include two passenger variants of the Cessna SkyCourier (the first one in Mongolia) and a Cessna Grand Caravan EX. These aircraft will join Hunnu Air’s existing fleet of Grand Caravan EXs.

“The Beechcraft King Air 360 builds on decades of proven capability, offering the mission flexibility operators need across commercial, special mission, and regional operations,” said Mike Shih, v-p of strategy and sales at Textron Aviation. “This addition enhances Hunnu Air’s ability to reach more destinations and meet the growing needs of travelers across Mongolia.”

The more than 7,900 King Airs delivered worldwide since 1964 have logged some 66 million flight hours, according to Textron Aviation.

Hensoldt South Africa and Robin Radar have deployed a Max 3D avian radar system at King Shaka International Airport (FALE) in Durban, South Africa, to protect barn swallows and improve aviation safety. The system, which can track thousands of birds and bats in real time, combines 3D altitude information with 60-degree elevation coverage, 360-degree horizontal coverage, and a 15-km instrumented range.

“Though the Max radar serves as an effective tool to bolster safety and empower bird control teams, its goals in this project are also very much centered around conservation,” said Alex Coccia, manager of customer success for avian at Robin Radar.

The barn swallow is an intercontinental migrant species that spends austral summer months, roughly December through February, in southern Africa. The Mount Moreland roost in KwaZulu-Natal Province hosts approximately 3 million birds each evening from September to early March. Just a few kilometers from the airport, these massive flocks create bird strike risks and safety challenges for aircraft operations.

Contractor Hensoldt deployed Robin’s Max radar with a bird viewer web-based display system at FALE, making it one of two African airports with this technology. The project includes Airports Company South Africa, which operates the airport, and the University of KwaZulu-Natal, which will use radar data for ongoing research and conservation efforts.

Supply-chain provider FDH Aero has opened an office in Bengaluru, India, and plans to consolidate its hardware and electronics divisions at the new site. The company recently celebrated the opening of the office with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The Bengaluru operations will be led by Adhavan Kamalanathan for FDH Electronics and Victor Bharath for FDH Hardware, both of whom have decades of experience supporting Tier 1 suppliers in the region, according to FDH Aero.

“Strong commercial aerospace demand, rising defense investment, and ‘made in India’ initiatives are accelerating growth across India’s aerospace and defense sector,” said Matthew Lacki, president of FDH Hardware. “With our new office in Bengaluru, we are better positioned to support Tier 1 customers and manufacturers while enabling local sourcing strategies that improve cost, availability, and supply-chain performance.”

Headquartered in Commerce, California, FDH Aero supplies hardware, electrical products, and consumables/expendables, and provides value-added services from facilities in 15 countries.

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