The U.S. government this week formally implemented its new trade agreement with the European Union, with the Commerce Department and Trade Representative’s office publishing guidance on how the standard 15% tariff will apply to most imports with the exception of aircraft and aircraft parts, as well as pharmaceuticals. Industry groups, including NBAA, welcomed the Trump Administration’s concession in zero-rating European aerospace products after it had implemented a 10% tariff on these earlier this year.

Issued yesterday, the guidance states that the zero rating is retroactive to imports made since September 1. The final trade agreement is consistent regarding deals the U.S. struck with the UK in June and Japan earlier this month.

However, aviation exports from Brazil and Switzerland remain subject to tariffs at the respective rates of 10% and 39%. Leaders of Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer and Switzerland’s Pilatus continue to lobby for exemptions, with the latter pausing deliveries of its PC-12 and PC-24 aircraft to U.S. customers.

“Last year, U.S. civil aviation built a $104 billion surplus, leading all other manufacturing trade sectors, and has been an export leader since 1979, when the Agreement on Trade in Civil Aircraft established a zero-tariff level playing field with dozens of other countries,” noted NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen. He added that the agreement will stimulate jobs and innovation in the U.S.

Gogo is nearing flight-testing of its 5G air-to-ground (ATG) technology as it works to bring the service online by year-end, the company announced today. Terrestrial tests thus far are showing that the 5G chip is exceeding anticipated speeds and will bring new ATG performance to the Continental U.S., offering reliable, cost-effective broadband connectivity, Gogo said.

Testing has moved from virtual modeling to that in the Avance LX5 platform with MB13 antennas and associated software. It has delivered peak speeds of up to 80 Mbps, Gogo said, demonstrating that the 5G chip is working as expected. The high speeds and low latency will support streaming, videoconferencing, and other data-intensive applications across multiple devices, Gogo added.

“With these outcomes, we’re resetting expectations around former ATG performance and are excited that we will be delivering a high-speed service that delivers the same type of experience you’d expect from an internet service at home or in the office,” said Gogo CEO Chris Moore.

More than 300 business aircraft are pre-provisioned for the Gogo 5G network, thanks to 28 STCs already completed for the installation. Five more STCs are nearing completion by year-end. Gogo has agreements in place with five OEMs for line fit of the equipment on aircraft, with one already installing the MB13 antennas with the Avance L5 4G line replaceable units on the assembly line.

A new report from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), in partnership with Worley Consulting, concludes that technology implementation, not sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) feedstock availability, is the main pinch point in the ability of the aviation industry to reach net-zero carbon emissions goals by 2050. According to the study, hurdles remain in current technology, mainly the slow rollout of production processes besides HEFA, which uses used cooking oils and other fats to produce SAF.

As previously outlined in the organization’s net-zero roadmaps, it is anticipated that airlines will require 500 million tonnes of SAF by 2050. The report notes that this supply will be from two main sources: sustainably-sourced biomass or power-to-liquid pathways that have been slow to enter commercial production.

In all cases, the group explained, it will be necessary to improve the efficiency of the production processes, accelerate technology implementation, improve feedstock logistics, and invest in the infrastructure required to scale up production.

“We now have unequivocal evidence that if SAF production is prioritized, then feedstock availability is not a barrier in the industry’s path to decarbonization,” said IATA director general Willie Walsh. “The potential to turn SAF feedstocks into real SAF production is in the hands of policymakers and business leaders, particularly in the energy sector. We have just 25 years to turn this proven potential into reality.”

Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico (GAP)—which operates the Primesky FBO at Mexico’s Los Cabos International Airport (MMSD), as well as the airport itself—has constructed its first private aircraft hangar on the field. Completed earlier this year, the nearly 54,000-sq-ft structure can accommodate Boeing BBJ or Airbus ACJ bizliners. The FBO is the sole business aviation service provider at MMSD.

According to GAP, the project provides space for both based and transient aircraft at MMSD, which is a major gateway to the vacation region referred to as the Mexican Riviera.

“We seek to provide the best experience for our customers across all touchpoints of the FBO, which includes satisfying the high demand for a hangar,” the company said. “Investments such as this new hangar meet our clients’ needs, expanding our service capabilities and offering the best infrastructure for our customers.”

Primesky recently expanded to include ground-handling services at Hermosillo International/General Ignacio Pesqueira García Airport (MMHO) in Sonora, one of the 12 airports GAP manages in Mexico, along with two in Jamaica.

Gogo customer support is ever-present, wherever our customers are flying around the globe. 

Defense technology provider Bird Aerosystems has been granted an Israeli CAA supplemental type certificate (STC) for modifications to the Beechcraft King Air 350C. This expands the aircraft’s capability for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), and special missions.

According to Bird, the certification allows integration of a broad range of ISR payloads such as EO/IR sensors, multimode radars, and NATO-standard 30-inch pylons, turning the aircraft into an adaptable, multirole platform. The STC complements Bird’s airborne surveillance, intelligence, and observation system, which integrates multiple sensors and communications to deliver real-time intelligence.

The new configuration includes center fuselage hard points rated for payloads up to 860 pounds and forward fuselage hard points supporting 220 pounds. Additional provisions include four GNSS antennas, datalink antenna, and cabin wiring for intercom and crossover panels to enable power and data integration between sensors and operator workstations.

“By providing our customers with a flexible, multirole platform that can be rapidly adapted for ISR and special missions, we are reinforcing our commitment to delivering cutting-edge solutions for every mission and every challenge,” said Bird Aerosystems v-p of solutions Tal Haloutz.

In June, the company secured a contract to install its airborne missile protection system (AMPS) on an undisclosed head-of-state Boeing BBJ under an EASA STC. The AMPS package is designed to protect aircraft from ground-to-air missile or rocket attacks.

Nevada-based charter operator Thrive Aviation has doubled its managed fleet from 13 to 30 aircraft in 18 months by adopting financial services provider MySky’s automation platform, the companies announced.

By centralizing its financial processes, Thrive was able to shorten its monthly close by five business days, reducing data entry errors by 20%, and halving receipt review time. The company reports that vendor and fuel procurement savings exceed $200,000 across the fleet, allowing it to attract new aircraft owners with transparent reporting and cost control.

“There’s no way we could have scaled this quickly if we had stayed in spreadsheets,” said Curtis Edenfield, co-founder and CEO of Thrive. “MySky unlocks operational capacity and foresight, simplifies workflows, and gives us the automation we need to grow—without adding headcount or complexity.”

Jean-Sebastien de Looz, COO of global SaaS at MySky, said, “Thrive is a perfect example of what happens when operational ambition meets financial clarity. Its ability to scale rapidly without sacrificing control or service quality is testament to the power of automation, transparency, and partnership.”

Dallas-area McKinney National Airport (KTKI) has opened a $6 million dedicated U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) facility. Located on the west side of the airport, south of the midfield terminal area, the 3,200-sq-ft building—which took 14 months to build—was funded entirely by the city of McKinney and will be paid through airport-generated revenue. It includes private inspection space, security entry infrastructure, and a dedicated CBP officer, and is open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., with after-hours service available with prior notice.

Before this new facility, customs operations were conducted out of an office located in the old airport-operated FBO terminal. However, international arrivals to the field have expanded by more than 40% over the past two years—a trend that the new facility is designed to address.

“The improved customs capability enhances operational efficiency and security and strengthens McKinney’s appeal to international business partners and corporate travelers,” said KTKI director Ken Carley. “With modern infrastructure in place, the airport is now equipped to accommodate even greater levels of international traffic without compromising the speed or quality of service passengers have come to expect.”

Coptersafety is buying a second Leonardo AW139 full-flight simulator from TRU Simulation and will install it at its Finland training center adjacent to Helsinki International Airport. The additional simulator will be qualified to EASA, UK CAA, and FAA level-D and is expected to be ready for pilot training in the first half of 2027.

In addition to advanced avionics, realistic flight dynamics, and high-fidelity visual systems, the AW139 simulator’s motion system will also replicate vibration cues and have a smoke-generation system. These features will help prepare pilots for offshore, search-and-rescue, emergency medical services, and other missions.

Coptersafety’s simulator fleet includes devices that replicate the Airbus H125 and H145 and Leonardo AW139 and AW169. The company is approved for training under EASA, FAA Part 142, UK Part-ORA, and GACA frameworks.

“I’m happy to announce that Coptersafety has been able to secure this additional capability to its growing fleet of simulators,” said Toni Rönnberg, Coptersafety COO. “This is to ensure we can continue serving the growing demand of our customers with the best quality of training.”

Join us for lunch on Wednesday, October 15, at NBAA-BACE in Las Vegas to hear from a distinguished panel of leaders in business aviation to explore the future of in-flight connectivity. This exclusive event will feature key updates, highlighting innovations that are shaping the passenger experience and operational capabilities in the skies. Seating is limited. Sponsored by Honeywell Aerospace and Viasat.