Today at Paris Le Bourget Airport (LFPB), start-up German air charter operator Luminair took delivery of the first of three Dassault Falcon 900LXs it ordered in June. The company said it intends to start commercial flights with the aircraft this week after adding the trijet to its air operator certificate.

The large-cabin jet (S/N 336) is joining a fleet that already includes a preowned 2023 Falcon 900LX housed at the company’s Hamburg base, with two more set to be completed at Dassault’s Little Rock, Arkansas facility before year-end. Luminair also operates three Cessna Citation XLSs and is preparing to add two more of these midsize twinjets.

Founded by a leadership team that worked together at charter group Air Hamburg, the operator aims to expand its fleet to around 40 aircraft as it seeks to establish a high-utilization business model. The trio of Citations has already logged 1,650 flight hours, with several of the jets set to operate more than 1,000 hours over a 12-month period.

According to Luminair co-founder Algernon Trotter, the XLSs are currently operating a 70/30 ratio between passenger-carrying and ferry flights. He believes the company can achieve an 80/20 ratio with the Falcons.

The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) is urging Congress to avert another government shutdown, warning that such a move could set back both air traffic controller hiring and National Airspace System (NAS) modernization. NATCA pointed to the U.S. DOT’s efforts to “supercharge” controller hiring and move forward on modernization, and stressed that a shutdown could significantly delay both initiatives.

“We currently have approximately 10,800 certified professional controllers moving traffic throughout the NAS—which is 3,800 short of where we need to be. NATCA is deeply concerned that a government shutdown of any length could cause significant setbacks and harm our combined efforts...to bolster the controller hiring and training pipeline,” said NATCA president Nick Daniels.

Congress is facing a deadline to pass a funding bill before fiscal year 2026 begins on October 1, or the government shuts down. In the interim, government workers are bracing for the potential ramifications of a shutdown. Under a plan the DOT put together earlier this year, a shutdown would cause several FAA operations to temporarily cease, including controller hiring and training, aviation rulemaking, random drug testing, facility security inspections, security background investigations, operations planning, and NextGen technologies development and testing.

Activities that would continue include ATC services, but without pay; maintenance of navigational aids/facilities; flight standards inspections; airworthiness directives; airmen medical certifications; certain certification activities; and limited air traffic safety oversight, among others.

At the recent Elite Awards 2025 event, the Jet Aviation Design Studio has won the Elite Aviation Concept category for the Cirrus cabin concept it developed for a VVIP aircraft interior.

According to Jet Aviation, the concept reflects its commitment to innovation in aircraft interiors with features such as the integration of new techniques including 3D veneer, LED lighting in cabinetry, and curved valance panels. The company said the concept can be applied for the interiors of any business aircraft, including narrow- and widebody cabins.

“These elements are complemented by an organic minimalistic aesthetic which pairs warm, traditional accents, soft curves in tactile fabrics, low earth tones, and ambient lighting, with smooth wooden surfaces and sleek metallic accents,” the Swiss-based company said. “Throughout, the space was infused with a sense of emotion, material richness, and thoughtful detail, centering the interior around the passenger experience.”

Media group Design et al celebrates design in the aviation, yacht, residential, and hospitality industries. Earlier this year, the Cirrus concept won the Private Jet Design—Concept Award at Design et al’s International Yacht & Aviation Awards. Jet Aviation has previously also been recognized at the Elite Awards, when its VVIP ACJ319neo interior was announced as a winner in 2023.

Air Culinaire Worldwide is expanding its global private aviation catering reach with the acquisition of On Air Dining, the in-flight catering provider at London Stansted and Farnborough airports, the companies announced today. Plans call for Air Culinaire to retain the On Air Dining brand and team. The acquisition expands the ability of both companies to serve private aviation across the UK and in Europe, they said, noting that On Air Dining serves two of the UK’s busiest private aviation hubs.

“With Europe’s private aviation market continuing to grow, this partnership marks a significant step in our strategic expansion,” said Air Culinaire Worldwide CEO John Lee. “With On Air Dining’s strong foundation in the UK and our global infrastructure, we’re perfectly positioned to scale up service across the continent while maintaining the quality our clients value.”

“This acquisition is a natural progression for On Air Dining and aligns with our long-term growth strategy,” added On Air Dining founder Daniel Hulme. “Our clients value consistency, flexibility, and personal service. Backed by the support of Air Culinaire Worldwide, we are in a stronger position than ever to deliver all three. With our team unchanged, our kitchens in Stansted and Farnborough receiving further investment, and enhanced logistics capabilities, this move sets us up for significant growth throughout Europe.”

These investments include kitchen upgrades, advanced ordering technology, and improved logistics infrastructure.

Million Air Austin broke ground on the company’s Phase II expansion, bringing exciting new facilities and amenities to one of the region’s most in-demand FBOs.

Ras Al Khaimah (RAK), the fourth largest of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), signed an agreement with Joby Aviation and Skyports Infrastructure that will launch advanced air mobility taxi services there by 2027. Its first vertiport is scheduled to be constructed at the centrally located Al Marjan Island, which will be home to a resort set to open in 2027.

Service is expected to start with an inter-emirate route linking RAK and Dubai. The trip from Dubai International Airport to Al Marjan Island takes more than an hour by car. With Joby’s all-electric air taxi—which is anticipated to carry its first passengers in Dubai next year—the trip would be less than 15 minutes.

In step with RAK’s 2030 mobility master plan, the new service will meet the growing demand for fast and convenient transport in the emirate and throughout the entire UAE.

“This partnership reflects [RAK’s] strategic vision to shape the future of mobility by integrating advanced transport solutions within its urban and tourism ecosystem,” said Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority director general Esmaeel Hasan Alblooshi. “This step is an extension of [RAK’s] comprehensive mobility plan of 2030, which focuses on innovation, sustainability, and the integration of transport modes.”

Alblooshi added that the launch of air taxi services is an addition that provides “fast, efficient, and eco-friendly mobility options.”

Yingling Aviation has rolled out an Airframe & Powerplant mechanic apprenticeship program as it continues to expand and eyes long-term growth of the aviation industry. The MRO celebrated the debut of the program earlier this month at its facilities in Wichita with a ceremony that included its inaugural class, Yingling staff, aviation influencers, and government officials.

The nearly 80-year-old company has been hiring workers amid a period of rapid growth with additional hangars, aircraft capabilities, and services. Aimed at developing skilled technicians, the apprenticeship is providing hands-on training and mentorship to further the MRO’s goals of prioritizing education and the success of the next generation of mechanics, the company said.

“Our industry thrives on talent, and this program is about building a strong pipeline of aviation professionals who will keep Wichita at the forefront as the air capital of the world,” said COO Rodger Renaud. “We are proud to offer a program that not only supports our company’s growth but also invests in the future of our community.”

Yingling training manager Amy Preskitt spearheaded the program’s development to invest in both technical skills and personal development, Yingling said. The program emphasizes that its employees are the foundation of its success, the MRO said, adding that CEO Bob Rasberry often notes, “Without our people, we are just a bunch of hangars.”

Magellan Jets has expanded its Bombardier Challenger 850 fractional ownership program, a joint venture with Slate Aviation, to add more benefits such as increased flexibility and access to other aircraft.

Under the program, Challenger 850 shareowners can now apply allotted hours toward guaranteed lift on Magellan’s Embraer Phenom 300, Challenger 350, and Gulfstream G450 jet card aircraft at preferred rates. The interchange option allows clients to select the jet that fits the needs for each trip.

Magellan and Slate launched the Challenger 850 fractional program earlier this year, targeting private flyers looking for large-cabin comfort, long-range capability, and predictable pricing. The program offers 60-hour annual shares with three-year terms, featuring refurbished Challenger 850s that seat up to 19 passengers. Amenities include premium catering and high-speed Wi-Fi connectivity.

Revamped program features add guaranteed repurchase terms, credits, and rollover options for underflown and overflown hours. Magellan said the updates strengthen its position as a full-service provider offering jet cards, charter, fractional ownership, and aircraft sales and management.

“The launch of our fractional ownership program is an exciting milestone, offering clients even greater flexibility and peace of mind,” said Anthony Tivnan, founder and president of Magellan Jets, when the company’s Challenger 850 program debuted in June. Deliveries of Challenger 850s under the program also began that month.

Achieving net-zero carbon aviation by 2050 is a generational challenge, according to a new initiative to coalesce young leaders across the industry. Emerging Leaders in Sustainable Aviation (ELSA) was launched earlier this month during the Generation 2050 panel as part of the ICAO General Assembly in Montreal. It aims to gather industry professionals 35 and younger in a common purpose that the group hopes will bear dividends over the course of their careers.

Conceived by Amy Strang, a sustainability and environment marketing manager with Airbus, the project has the backing of the Air Transport Action Group. For the past two years, she has been working with the European airframer’s ZeroE team, developing concepts for hydrogen-powered airliners.

The idea is that today’s 20- and 30-somethings can be expected to rise to more senior leadership positions in aviation from 2035 onwards and, as such, could be well placed to help the industry achieve its decarbonization objectives. “Our hope is that after someone in the industry rises through the ranks to become the next C-suite exec of a major airline or fuel producer, that they’ll know exactly who to pick up the phone to tackle a challenge,” said the group in its launch statement.

The organization, led by an executive committee of 12 young professionals, will host online events each quarter and may also host gatherings at industry events.

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.