Jet Aviation has purchased three Pilatus PC-24s to lease to the French Navy under a contract from the Direction de la Maintenance Aéronautique (DMAé). The contract also calls for ongoing comprehensive support, including onsite line and base maintenance and continuation of airworthiness management (CAMO) services to ensure operational readiness and mission success.

To be delivered in 2026, the French Navy, the first European military to operate the PC-24, will use the light twinjets for pilot training, including to ensure the ability to fly with and without visibility, as well as the transport of urgent cargo. Jet Aviation president Jeremie Caillet added that the contract builds on its longstanding relationship with Pilatus, as well as its 35-year history of working with government fleets.

“Jet Aviation has a long history of supporting European governmental fleets, both on- and off-base,” said Fabien Fuster, v-p of government services for EMEA at Jet Aviation. “Following delivery of the aircraft, our team will provide sustainment activities at their home base, ensuring operational readiness at all times. With 16 maintenance sites worldwide, and over half a century of experience covering corporate, VIP, and governmental customers, we are able to draw on a background of global expertise and capabilities, offering seamless support for customers on even the most complex maintenance or CAMO activities.”

Jamaica is shaking off the effects of Hurricane Melissa, which slammed ashore on the Caribbean island yesterday as a Category 5 storm—one of the strongest on record to make landfall. Sangster International Airport (MKJS) in Montego Bay remains closed today as officials evaluate the damage to its infrastructure. Signature Aviation, which operates an FBO there, told AIN, "We’re continuing to monitor the situation closely and will resume operations once it’s safe to do so.”

Nonprofit emergency response organization Airlink had pre-positioned people on the ground ahead of Melissa’s landfall to conduct immediate post-storm need assessment. Airlink uses its airline partners to deliver vital supplies on scheduled flights. The initial shipments will largely focus on shelter, hygiene, sanitation supplies, clean water, and food.

Business aviation charity AERObridge noted that “Due to the flight distance—over 1,000 nautical miles round trip—we anticipate that only long-range cargo aircraft will be suitable for these missions.” Charley Valera, the group’s v-p of media relations and field director for emergency services, added, “The availability of fuel and power for pumps remains a significant concern, as does the safety and condition of the runways, pilots, and aircraft.”

To assist in the disaster recovery, global air charter specialist Chapman Freeborn is working closely with local authorities to bring in relief as soon as possible. In addition to airplanes, it also has access to STOL aircraft and helicopters, allowing its teams to reach remote or inaccessible areas where conventional runways may be unavailable or damaged.

Alliance Aviation has opened its hangar and FBO facility at AlUla International Airport (OEAO) in Saudi Arabia. The company announced the new venture today during the 9th Future Investment Initiative event in Riyadh. The hangar provides 30,677 sq ft of space, which is sufficient to simultaneously accommodate two Gulfstream G650s and either a Bombardier Challenger 650 or two light jets.

Alliance Aviation developed the new premises through a partnership with the Royal Commission for AlUla, which is in western Saudi Arabia, about 200 miles north of Madinah. The company provides business aircraft operators with access to a VIP lounge and full ground-handling services, with direct ramp access for passengers and crew. Onsite amenities include a crew rest and operations area with high-speed connectivity and 24/7 security and access control.

“This launch is a milestone for Alliance and for Saudi Arabia’s private aviation future,” said Brendan McQuaid, the company’s founder. “We are proud to partner with the Royal Commission for AlUla in creating a facility that reflects the region’s heritage, hospitality, and the kingdom’s vision for world-class infrastructure.”

In May, Saudi Arabia’s government lifted cabotage restrictions, clearing the way for foreign charter operators to offer domestic flights. In August, Vista became the first operator approved to access the market.

NASA’s X-59 quiet supersonic technology (Quesst) demonstrator notched its first test flight yesterday morning over Southern California. According to flight tracking data available on Flightradar24, the experimental supersonic aircraft, registered N859NA, took off from Palmdale Regional Airport (KPD) at 8:14 a.m. PST and headed northeast toward Edwards Air Force Base. It circled over the base in a racetrack pattern for about an hour before landing at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards at 9:21 a.m.

The ADS-B tracking data indicates that the aircraft reached an altitude of 12,400 feet and a maximum 254 knots groundspeed. In subsequent flight tests, NASA will incrementally fly higher and faster before ultimately breaking the sound barrier and demonstrating quiet supersonic flight. NASA will conduct noise tests over certain U.S. cities to gather data on public perception and reaction to its "sonic thump.” That data will be used by the FAA to set boom noise limits for overland supersonic flights.

Lockheed Martin has been developing the X-59 for NASA’s Low Boom Flight Demonstrator project since 2016, and the aircraft rolled out from Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works in Palmdale, California, early last year.

Due to the ongoing government shutdown, NASA has not publicly released any details about the results of the X-59’s inaugural flight. However, Lockheed Martin issued a statement Tuesday afternoon stating that the X-59 “performed exactly as planned.”

Duncan Aviation has expanded its mobile non-destructive testing (NDT) services, offering aircraft operators nationwide access to onsite inspection expertise. The company’s mobile NDT program provides an option for customers who want smaller, in-house inspections without the need to relocate their aircraft. Duncan’s mobile teams are based in Lincoln, Nebraska; Battle Creek, Michigan; and Provo, Utah.

Each mobile unit is equipped to perform a broad range of inspections, including eddy current, fluorescent penetrant, ultrasonic, magnetic particle, and optical prism testing. All technicians are full-time NDT Level 2 or 3 in accordance with NAS410 certification standards.

Duncan Aviation holds NDT-specific authorizations from Dassault, Textron, Honeywell, Rolls-Royce, and Pratt & Whitney Canada. The company said these approvals confirm its ability to meet manufacturer-specific requirements and maintain consistency across all testing environments.

Thanks to the expansion, Duncan Aviation can deliver the same quality testing performed at its main facilities directly at customers’ locations. The company describes its mobile NDT teams as an extension of its in-house service network, ensuring operators receive timely and compliant inspections wherever their aircraft are based.

Eleven people—a Kenyan pilot and 10 European passengers—are dead after a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan crashed just 10 minutes into what should have been a routine safari flight yesterday morning, prompting Kenyan authorities to launch a full investigation into the tragedy. Investigators from Kenya’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Department (AAID) have been deployed to the crash site near Diana Beach, where the aircraft went down shortly after departing Ukunda Airport (HKUK).

At approximately 8:25 a.m. local time, the Mombasa Air Safari turboprop single, registered as 5Y-CCA, departed HKUK en route to Kichwa Tembo (HKTB) in the Maasai Mara game reserve, a straight line distance of more than 280 miles and an estimated flying time of nearly 2.5 hours. AAID authorities reported that at 8:35 a.m., and 25 miles from the departure point, Mombasa Moi International Airport ATC lost radar contact with the airplane. The pilot did not communicate any problems before the accident. Preliminary information suggests poor visibility and heavy rain in the area.

“We have activated our emergency response team and [are] fully cooperating with the relevant authorities, who have begun their investigation,” said Mombasa Air Safari chairman John Cleave. “Our primary focus right now is on providing all possible support to the families affected.”

According to the Aviation Safety Network accident database, Mombasa Air Safari had one previous fatal accident 13 years ago.

Switzerland-based Jet Aviation is celebrating 30 years of operations in Singapore, marking the anniversary of its MRO/FBO facility there. Established in 1995 and officially launched at the Singapore Airshow the following year, the site was the company’s first location in Asia. It is now Jet Aviation’s largest hub in Asia-Pacific, offering maintenance, refurbishment and modification, FBO, and aircraft services.

Growing in response to changing customer needs in the region, Jet Aviation Singapore extended FBO services to Changi Airport in 2006, opened a 5,000-sq-m (53,820-sq-ft) maintenance hangar in 2014, and added a third 3,850-sq-m hangar in 2017. In 2023, the FBO launched onsite sustainable aviation fuel in partnership with FlyORO and, in late 2024, achieved IS-BAH Stage 3 accreditation.

“When we first arrived in 1995, business aviation in the region was in its infancy,” said Jeremie Caillet, president. “As a key location for travel in Asia and beyond, as well as an important global hub, Singapore has continued to develop as a center for the industry in APAC. Over the decades, we have committed to growing and evolving our sites and services to support this development. This anniversary is not only a celebration of this growth and longevity, but also testament to our commitment as a trusted partner for our customers, and our local government and industry partners.”

Vista is poised for continued growth in the Asia-Pacific region with strengthening demand for both its VistaJet and XO brands this year.

Demand picked up 26% year over year in VistaJet’s program subscription memberships in the first half of this year. Hong Kong and Singapore remain top destinations in the region, serving as gateways to North Asia and Southeast Asia, respectively. Its business in Japan grew by 67%, followed by Singapore at 50%. In addition, Kuala Lumpur and Tokyo have been notable in drawing business and leisure travel. “One of the key drivers behind the strong demand is that these cities cater to both business and leisure travel. They are not only major commercial hubs in Asia, but also highly popular tourist destinations,” said Vista chief commercial officer Ian Moore.

As for Vista’s XO brand, North America remains its leading market, but international bookings through its marketplace jumped by 40% last year. Vista believes the growth underscores the growing need for private aviation in both emerging and established markets.

“With XO now in Asia, our clients enjoy the best of both worlds through Vista’s global infrastructure, from on-demand flights with instant booking through the XO marketplace to a guaranteed flight solution that replicates an aircraft ownership experience with VistaJet. We deliver seamless travel that combines international reach, domestic flexibility, and bespoke lifestyle experiences,” Moore added.

Metro Aviation has become the first completion center to develop an emergency medical services (EMS) interior for the Airbus H160 helicopter. The company also signed a purchase agreement to buy 12 H140s, which it will offer for purchase and completion at its Shreveport, Louisiana headquarters.

Scheduled to be completed in first-quarter 2026, the H160 EMS supplemental type certificate (STC) will also be available as a kit for installation by qualified facilities and in other countries. Features of the STC include “intensive-care-capable stretcher systems, medical equipment interfaces, optimized patient/caregiver cabin layouts, and efficient loading access,” according to Metro.

The first two U.S. deliveries of the light-twin H140 are scheduled for 2029 and will go to Metro Aviation. Its large cabin is ideally suited for intensive-care stretchers and transport incubators, and patient loading is eased by the side sliding doors and rear-clamshell door, thanks to the T-shaped tailboom. Like the H160, the H140 will be equipped with a Fenestron shrouded tail rotor and the Airbus Helicopters Helionix avionics suite.