John was editor of Aviation Week's ShowNews for nearly two decades. He retired in 2020. His background in business journalism before joining Aviation Week includes stints at Reuters, the American Banker daily banking newspaper and as business news editor at the Milwaukee Journal and the Cincinnati Enquirer.
A lifelong aviation enthusiast, John has been a private pilot for 34 years and won an award at EAA Oshkosh for his restoration of a vintage British Auster army spotter aircraft. He is currently building a 1920s Staaken Flitzer biplane from plans. John attended his first Farnborough Air Show in 1952, when just eight months old.
Hong Kong’s HK Bellawings Jet Ltd. will become China’s largest fleet operator of Bombardier Global 7500s after converting two options to firm orders for the ultra-long-range, high-speed aircraft at EBACE. It also has signed a letter of intent (LOI) for five additional Global 7500s. Last May, Bellawings surprised EBACE by unveiling an intent to purchase up to 18 Global 6500 and Global 7500 aircraft, for a potential value of $1.14 billion.
Bamberg-based BHS Helicopter service has solidified its growth plans with the acquisition of the Swiss helicopter business of its Stuttgart-based cooperation partner DC Aviation. The move brings greater critical mass to the helicopter business, while allowing each company to focus on rotary and fixed wing charter and management, respectively.