Bombardier is showcasing its Global 8000 at the Catarina Aviation Show from May 21 to 23 in São Paulo, Brazil, marking the South American debut for the Mach 0.95 aircraft. The twinjet will accompany a Global 6500 and Challenger 3500 on the Catarina static display, Bombardier said.

The Canadian aircraft manufacturer is hoping to expand its market share in the region with its newest flagship, which succeeds the Global 7500. Noting that the Global 8000 has an 8,000-nm range, Bombardier pointed out key city pairs that the aircraft can connect from São Paulo: Perth, Vancouver, and Dubai. The company is also highlighting its cabin altitude of 2,691 feet at FL410 and ability to get into a wider range of airports.

“Being onsite at the Catarina Aviation Show provides Bombardier with the perfect opportunity to showcase the incredible performance and design attributes of these incredible aircraft,” said Frank Vento, Bombardier’s v-p of sales for the U.S. and Latin America. “Bombardier is uniquely positioned in the Brazilian market.”

Meanwhile, the 6,600-nm Global 6500 can connect São Paulo to either Aspen, London, or Lagos, and the super-midsize Challenger 3500 can reach St. Maarten, El Calafate, and Dakar from São Paulo.

Business aviation has been consistently inelastic to fuel price swings, and that trend is holding true with the most recent conflict in the Middle East, WingX reported today. Noting that global business jet activity was up 4.4% year over year (YOY) during the week ending May 3, and by 4.6% since the beginning of the year, WingX maintained that demand is shrugging off the fuel price swings.

Likewise, in 2022, when the Russia-Ukraine conflict generated a spike in fuel prices, business jet departures still increased, WingX reported. “Through the past six years of a pandemic and conflict outbreaks, the correlation between fuel cost and bizjet flying activity has been weak,” the data analyst maintained.

At the same time, though, the conflict continues to take a toll on operations in the Middle East, albeit less so than in late March and early April. Fuel uplift in the Middle East was down by 10% YOY for the week from April 27 to May 3 over the baseline leading up to the conflict with Iran. But that still was up 10% from the prior week. By comparison, in the week ending April 5, fuel uplift was off by 45% YOY.

As for global activity, operations jumped by 5.2% YOY in North America and 7% in Europe last week. In South America, activity was up 15.7%.

Noting that the Canadian business aviation fleet sustains $17.9 billion in annual economic impact, CBAA has asked the government to foster further development of the sector via tax, regulatory, and policy changes.

CBAA praised the Canadian government’s move last year to remove a luxury tax on the sale of business aircraft but said the budget this year “should build on that progress.” In its consultation submission for Canada’s 2026 budget, the association offered three recommendations to achieve that goal: adopting 100% accelerated depreciation for aircraft to encourage capital investments; modernizing business aviation regulation; and reducing aviation-related costs to improve access to the nation’s airports.

“Canada is losing mobile capital investment in aviation to jurisdictions with faster cost recovery and lower regulatory friction,” CBAA warned. “Without targeted action in Budget 2026, this gap will widen, reducing productivity, investment, and aerospace competitiveness.”

CBAA underscored the importance of the business aviation sector, noting that the fleet spans 1,500 aircraft and supports 53,600 high-skilled jobs, averaging salaries of about $105,000. Further, business aviation contributes to an aerospace manufacturing cluster whose exports exceeded $13 billion in 2024, the association maintained.

“This industry is vital to Canadian sovereignty, producing advanced military technology, and supporting jobs,” CBAA added. “This is a moment for the federal government to modernize policy in a way that supports growth, strengthens internal trade, and improves service delivery.”

Preowned business jet transactions declined 11.4% year over year (YOY) in the first quarter but remained 9.1% above the 10-year average as constrained inventory continued to support aircraft values, according to market intelligence firm Amstat.

Total preowned business aircraft transactions declined 10.5% in the first quarter versus a year ago. However, activity exceeded the 10-year first-quarter average by 4% and surpassed transaction levels seen in the first three months of both 2023 and 2024.

Preowned inventory stood at 5.9% of the active fleet at the end of March, well below the 10-year average of 7.3%. Although inventory declined only 2.8% year over year, it contracted 11% since October.

Heavy jets led the market, with transactions ranking as the second-highest first-quarter total on record despite an 8.3% year-over-year decline. Activity exceeded the 10-year average by 27.9%. Heavy-jet inventory remained particularly constrained at 5.5% of the fleet. Asking prices rose 4% quarter over quarter, while median values increased 11% since mid-2025.

Super-midsize jets saw a 12.8% transaction decline YOY but remained well above historical averages, with median values rising 8% amid tightening supply. Midsize jets underperformed relative to other segments, with transactions down more than 20% versus both first-quarter 2025 and the 10-year average. Average asking prices slid 13.7% year over year. Light jets continued to show resilience, with transactions exceeding historical averages despite a year-over-year decline.

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Global private aviation trip support provider Jetex has partnered with iGA Istanbul Airport (LTFM)—Turkey’s largest aviation gateway—to open the Jetex İGA Terminal, the 40th worldwide under the company’s brand. Catering to both airline passengers and private jet travelers by reservation, the facility—which opened this week—offers a private members’ club atmosphere with seamless, personalized service before, after, or between flights.

Its architecture draws inspiration from Istanbul’s iconic nazende çiçeği (slender flower), featuring natural stone, wood, and custom-crafted surfaces, and provides private suites with spa services, dining spaces, en-suite bathrooms, and dedicated service teams. Luxurious lounges, enhanced duty-free retail, and open-air terraces are available, along with expedited passport and security screenings through dedicated checkpoints.

Guests also benefit from a chauffeur-driven luxury fleet of cars for airside and city transfers.

“We are thrilled to expand our global network with the launch of Jetex Istanbul alongside our valued partner iGA," said Jetex founder and CEO Adel Mardini, adding that the city is a multicultural hub where thousands of years of history and culture blend with youthful, dynamic energy. “We have put tremendous effort into crafting an experience for both private jet and commercial airline travelers, and we look forward to welcoming the world here with Jetex hospitality.”

Air charter broker Magellan Jets launched a $500,000 jet card for travel between six cities during the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Quincy, Massachusetts-based company announced the “World’s Game Jet Card” package that covers travel aboard a Bombardier Challenger 300, accommodating up to eight passengers from June 13 to 27 between Boston, Atlanta, Toronto, Philadelphia, New York/New Jersey, and Miami.

Premium in-flight catering and ground transportation from Magellan Jets’ private terminal at Hanscom Field in Bedford, Massachusetts, to Gillette Stadium for Boston-area matches—and from terminals to stadiums in the other five cities—is included. Each package includes access to a dedicated client experience manager who assists with researching accommodations and ticket access to matches (tickets not included in the package).

According to the company, trips are contingent on landing slot availability and prior-permission-required clearances. Unused jet card balances can be applied toward other flights beyond the tournament dates. Special event landing fees determined by FBOs also may apply.

Sweden’s Savback Helicopters is partnering with Dufour Aerospace to launch a commercial drone logistics network across the country. The service is set to start across select fixed routes in 2027, using the Swiss manufacturer’s hybrid-electric, uncrewed Aero-200 tiltwing aircraft.

An initial preparation and integration phase will focus on regulatory coordination, infrastructure planning, and “intensive operational trials,” explained Savback. Starting next year, the helicopter specialist plans to spearhead and manage commercial drone operations on “select fixed routes in Sweden.”

The Aero-200 is targeting a range of 200 km with a maximum payload of 20 kilograms (44 pounds). Typical missions will include “time-sensitive cargo for medical, industrial, and public safety and defense sectors,” explained Dufour. It added that its tiltwing capabilities are “uniquely suited for Scandinavian geography, where remote communities and industrial sites require rapid, reliable connections.”

In August 2024, Dufour Aerospace flew what it described as a “production-ready” variant of its aircraft from its facility near Zurich. An ongoing flight campaign at Sweden’s Västervik Airfield (ESSW) has seen the Aero-200 continue to extend its range and endurance, recently completing a 170-km mission in 1 hour 37 minutes. So far, eight full-scale prototypes have made the transition between hover and forward flight.

Sweden-based European Medical Drone is also set to be among the early commercial adopters of the type.

RTX subsidiary Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) recently celebrated the opening of its engine parts manufacturing facility in Morocco. Located at Nouaceur’s Midparc industrial zone, the facility encompasses 130,000 sq ft. Construction began in 2024, and P&WC expects to create 200 more jobs there by 2030.

In Morocco, P&WC sister company Collins Aerospace manufactures cockpit solutions and flight controls. RTX employs 250 people in the country at Collins and P&WC. Manufacturing activities at the new P&WC site will include detailed static and structural machined parts for engines such as the PT6 turboshaft/turboprop family.

“This site is a strategic extension of our global production network and demonstrates our commitment to building resilient supply chains worldwide that will enable us to increase production for our customers,” said P&WC president Maria Della Posta. “Through close collaboration with local organizations, we’re developing the next generation of aerospace professionals, investing in the communities in which we operate, and helping reinforce Morocco’s position as a leader in the aerospace industry.”

AIN’s 2027 FBO survey is open! The deadline to vote in the 2027 survey (to be announced at our 3rd annual FBO Awards Dinner & Gala and published in March) is December 6. It's earlier this year than usual. The survey takes only a minute, and you can do it while waiting for passengers, on the shuttle bus to/from the hotel, or at any other time that is convenient for you. Participants will be entered to win a $250 Amazon gift card (winner must reside in the U.S.). Log in to rate your experiences at the FBOs you visit.