Since the Dassault Falcon 6X entered service on November 30, the company's demo aircraft has been busy touring the world. By the end of April, Falcon 6X S/N 004—registered as F-WSUP—had logged approximately 500 flight hours and operated close to 300 flights across Europe, North and South America, and Asia-Pacific.

The widebody business jet flew in the U.S. and Brazil earlier this month and is being showcased this week at EBACE 2024 alongside a Falcon 8X and a mock-up of the Falcon 10X. “The 6X has been flying a lot and the client feedback is just great, like with all our aircraft,” Carlos Brana, executive v-p of civil aircraft for Dassault Aviation, told AIN. "Comments from pilots and passengers are very positive."

The Pratt & Whitney Canada PW812D-powered 6X was launched in February 2018 and received dual EASA and FAA certification in August last year. On top of this, the new Falcon model obtained approval from the aviation authorities of Turkey, the Isle of Man, and San Marino, while certification is ongoing in Canada, India, and the UK.

The French OEM is also still working on obtaining additional product approvals for steep approach, its FalconEye combined vision system (CVS), and others. Brana stressed that these are just a matter of time and “up to 99% of the missions can already now be performed with the aircraft as it is.”

A total of 1,154 business jets were in operation in Asia-Pacific at the end of 2023, up a slight 0.2% for the year after a 3.7% decline in 2022, according to Asian Sky Group’s (ASG’s) newly released full-year Fleet Report. East Asia led the growth in the region, up 8.3%, with fleets expanding in countries such as South Korea and Japan.

Mainland China remained as the largest business jet market in the region at the end of 2023, despite three consecutive years of net declines. However, the rate of decrease in China, which is home to a fleet of 272 jets, eased in 2023 to -3.2%, compared with -14.3% in 2022.

Business jet fleets in Australia and India both saw growth for the second consecutive year, following behind China as the next largest at 213 and 151 aircraft, respectively. Meanwhile, Singapore saw the most net fleet additions of eight, for a total of 74, and Japan has experienced 40% growth in its fleet since 2020, numbering 81 aircraft in 2023.

On the downside, Hong Kong led the region in net deductions, down 10 aircraft at the end of 2023 to 54.

Long-range jets saw a bounce in the region, with a net addition of eight aircraft following a 5.7% drop in 2022. That category of jets is the largest in Asia-Pacific, numbering 370.

Ahead of the start of the Paris Summer Olympic Games in July, Avfuel announced it will establish permanent supplies of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at three airports in France. Leading the list is Paris Le Bourget Airport—one of Europe’s busiest business aviation hubs—as well as Bordeaux-Mérignac and Clermont-Ferrand Auvergne airports.

At all three locations, Avfuel’s customers can purchase a 30% SAF blend produced in France via its contract fuel program. Comparable to the company’s SAF supply in the U.S., each 4,000-liter upload will provide a 2.5-tonne reduction in life cycle carbon emissions.

“Providing meaningful opportunities to reduce carbon emissions is incredibly important to Avfuel and, increasingly so, to its customers,” said C.R. Sincock II, the company’s executive v-p. “We’re a global company, so expanding SAF access to our customer base beyond North America’s borders has been a tremendous focus for our team.”

In addition to this new SAF availability in France, Avfuel supplies the renewable fuel to 17 FBOs and airports in the U.S. “Our team understands there is much work yet to be done–to help foster wider adoption of the fuel, we’re always looking for ways to grow both SAF access and production,” explained Sincock. “Our SAF expansion into the European market reflects that focus.”

A report from the International Air Transportation Association (IATA) describes how contrails contribute to global warming and recommends solutions that industry can use to minimize their effects. The report highlights the complexity of contrail science, noting gaps in understanding how contrails form, persist, and impact climate.

“The lack of high-resolution, real-time data on atmospheric conditions (particularly humidity and temperature at cruising altitudes) hinders precise contrail forecasting,” said the report. “Recent collaborations among meteorologists, climate researchers, airlines, and aircraft manufacturers have yielded new insights but underscored the need for enhanced data collection and air traffic network contributions.”

According to the study, “trials with modified flight paths and alternative fuels have shown potential yet limited efficacy due to the variability of atmospheric conditions and the localized nature of where contrails do occur.”

The report divided recommendations into three time phases. In the immediate term (2024-2030), prioritizing the reduction of CO2 emissions should take precedence over uncertainties in contrail detection and climate impact. Mid-term actions (2030-2040) should involve establishing standards for data transmission; continuous validation of models; and encouraging aircraft manufacturers to include provisions for meteorological observations and their climate effect.

Long-term actions (2040-2050) should focus on increasing the world fleet providing data and having a full understanding of the non-CO2 effects of alternative fuels.

Your aircraft's engines power more than your flights. They fuel the value of your aircraft, too. That's why maintaining your engines using Engine Assurance Program's (EAP) hourly engine maintenance program helps retain the value of your aircraft. EAP also has amassed a large pool of rental engines, maintains a multi-million-dollar inventory of spare parts and has assembled a highly-skilled technical team including AOG support.

A NASA Flight Readiness Review board has completed its study of the plan for ground and flight testing of the X-59 low-boom supersonic demonstrator, checking off the first step in the approval process for the Mach 1.4 aircraft to take to the skies.

Comprising independent experts from across NASA, the review board looked at the X-59 project team’s approach to safety for the public and staff during testing. This included delving into the project team’s analysis of potential hazards and risk identification. The board will provide insights and recommendations for moving forward.

That review is the next safety milestone, NASA explained, saying it will involve senior leaders from several NASA centers and prime contractor Lockheed Martin. A final technical brief will follow. 

Meanwhile, the X-59 team is prepping for ground trials involving systems integration engine runs and electromagnetic interference tests.

Built at Lockheed Martin Skunk Works in Palmdale, California, the aircraft was designed to fly at supersonic speed but with a quieter sonic boom, which NASA likens to a “thump.” The X-59 will be used for NASA’s Quesst mission to gather data on public response to a quieter aircraft. This data will be used to explore possible regulatory changes that could restore supersonic flight over land.

Comlux has signed a letter of intent to collaborate with Stellar Blu on the integration of the Sidewinder multi-network satcom connectivity platform into the Airbus ACJ TwoTwenty. The agreement builds on Comlux’s partnership with Airbus on ACJ TwoTwenty completions.

Using a “network of networks” approach, Stellar Blu’s Sidewinder system will be adapted to the ACJ TwoTwenty to enable access to multiple service providers offering global coverage and services via satellite networks in LEO, MEO, or GEO orbit.

The system will support full HD streaming, videoconferencing, and collaborative computing via a resilient broadband connection. Integration into the ACJ TwoTwenty is beginning immediately with the goal of having the system certified on the aircraft by year-end.

“In addition to the already extraordinary cabin experience, this system will further position the ACJ TwoTwenty at the forefront of new technology,” said Arnaud Martin, CEO of Comlux. “Our partnership with Stellar Blu will transform the way our passengers communicate and stay connected during their flights, enhancing their overall inflight experience."

According to Will Robson of Aviation Pride UK, EBACE 2024 is providing another opportunity for his organization and the larger National Gay Pilots Association to advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. Both organizations are co-exhibiting this week at the European business aviation show.

“We're continuing to just promote who we are and share that with the industry," Robson said. "It's important because one of the things we do is...regular training and support for the industry. The other part of our tagline is making aviation more inclusive, accessible, and safer for all.

“What we're trying to do is share our name, let people know that we're here. Whether you are just an individual member, or whether you are an organization that's looking to get support, that's exactly what we're here to provide and help you with. We're just happy and want everyone to come say hello to us, just find out a little bit more information, have a chat.”

Robson said that Aviation Pride UK's mission is to be a wide-ranging resource for the community and a broad organization of advocacy and support.

“We're part of a worldwide LGBTQ+ aviation community. Our tagline is 'to build, support and unite' the LGBTQ+ aviation community, worldwide. And that's sort of what we do through many different avenues, whether it's through social events, networking, mentoring, scholarships, advocacy events, whistleblowing industry training, and a bunch of other things as well,” he said.

After flat traffic levels at the company's VIP Terminal at Al Maktoum International Airport (OMDW) last year, Dubai-based global FBO and ground handling provider Jetex is now targeting a growth rate of 15% in 2024 over the 10,900 movements it handled at the facility in 2023. “Why not? People are hungry; they are coming here, buying aircraft and basing them here,” said Jetex founder and CEO Adel Mardini ahead of this year's EBACE show. 

Last November, Jetex opened its new FBO at Al Bateen Executive Airport (OMAD), in the UAE's capital Abu Dhabi, to coincide with the Formula 1 race taking place at Yas Island. This, combined with its flagship terminal in Dubai, gave the company a powerful presence in one of the Middle East’s most prominent markets.

“Business is growing," said Mardini. "We do handling for both the VIP and VVIP terminals, the latter being government-managed. We have 80 staff onsite. We have to have manpower there because we are the exclusive operator.” Recently, Jetex handled 35 flights in a single day at OMAD.

Discussing the new FBO’s launch, Jetex said that expansion work was completed at the airport in 2022, involving resurfacing and widening of the existing 10,500-ft runway to accommodate widebody aircraft, upgraded ground lighting, and enhanced signage and landscaping to meet safety, compliance, and accreditation requirements. 

AIN sister publication Business Jet Traveler has launched its 14th annual Readers’ Choice survey. The poll solicits private aircraft fliers’ opinions about and experiences with flying privately and asks them to rate charter, jet card, and fractional-share providers, membership clubs, aircraft manufacturers and models, and more. All respondents will receive a prepublication copy of the results, be entered into a drawing for a $500 Amazon gift card (gift cards apply to U.S. survey respondents only), and have a donation made on their behalf to Corporate Angel Network. Take this year's survey or view results of the previous Business Jet Traveler reader surveys.