Rolling Business Aviation Daily Briefs (December 2025)

December 19, 2025

Qatar Executive Equipping Fleet With Starlink Connectivity

Qatar Executive, the private jet charter division of Qatar Airways Group, is equipping its fleet of Gulfstream and Bombardier aircraft with Starlink connectivity, an ultra-high-speed, low-latency internet. The upgrades will be completed by early 2026, it says. To date, half of the company’s Gulfstream G650ER and all Bombardier Global 5000 business jets are operating with Starlink. The remaining G650ER aircraft and its fleet of Gulfstream G700s will be completed early in the new year. The installations are being performed in-house. The fleet includes eight G700s, 15 G650ERs, two Global 5000s and one Airbus A319CJ.

December 18, 2025

Bell 505 Surpasses 700 Flight Hr. Using SAF Blend

Bell Textron announced that a dedicated Bell 505 has surpassed 700 flight hr. using blended sustainable aviation fuel, a milestone showcasing Bell’s commitment to SAF usage. In March 2022, Bell announced a collaboration with Safran Helicopter Engines to explore the technical performance by the Arrius 2R engine. To date, assessments of engine operability, aircraft performance and engine inspections have yielded positive results to date.

December 17, 2025

Magellan Jets Offers New Financing For Fractional Ownership Program

Magellan Jets is now offering financing through NFS Capital to help clients secure potential 2025 tax benefits. According to the company, the program provides qualified buyers an opportunity to access capital to acquire fractional shares, offering up to 90% financing. Additionally, through NFS Capital, the company offers a simplified underwriting process and closings within several business days, according to Magellan Jets.

DC Aviation Al-Futtaim Adds Gulfstream G650 To Charter Fleet

DC Aviation Al-Futtaim (DCAF) announced the addition of a Gulfstream G650 to its charter fleet. Additionally, the company has added a Bombardier Challenger 650 to its managed fleet. The addition of two aircraft serve as part of DCAF's charter fleet expansion to meet the growing business aviation sector in the Middle East. Besides the G650, DCAF's fleet includes a Global 7500, Global XRS and a Pilatus PC-12. The inclusion of the G650 comes at a time of significant growth in the Middle East’s business aviation sector, the company says.

December 16, 2025

Vista’s XO Launches New Corporate Membership Tier

XO, a Vista subsidiary, announced the launch of a new membership tier with executive-focused benefits. According to Vista, the new tier has been created to meet surging demand for flexible business travel plans. The program requires a $500,000 deposit and features benefits such as multi-user accounts, simultaneous flights, guaranteed recovery and departures, instant booking and access to thousands of aircraft.

AMAC Aerospace Bodrum Joins ACJ Service Center Network

AMAC Aerospace’s Bodrum, Turkey, facility has been qualified by Airbus Corporate Jets (ACJ) as the newest member of its service center network. AMAC Aerospace’s facility will now offer maintenance, engineering, VIP cabin refurbishment and upgrade services for ACJ customers. AMAC Aerospace’s headquarters in Basel, Switzerland, joined the ACJ service center network in December 2024.

December 15, 2025

AMAC Aerospace Receives Extended GACA Approval

AMAC Aerospace has received an extension to its existing approval from the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), Saudi Arabia’s aviation authority. According to the company, the extended GACA approval includes new ratings for the Bombardier CL600-2B16 airframe and GE CF34-3B engine, allowing AMAC Aerospace to provide maintenance support. AMAC Aerospace’s GACA approval covers an array of aircraft types, including Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier and Gulfstream aircraft.

Universal Flight Concepts Expands Tecnam Fleet

Universal Flight Concepts (UFC), a U.S.-based flight training organization, has taken delivery of an additional four Tecnam P2008 LSA and P2010 aircraft. UFC now operates a fleet of 32 Tecnam aircraft. According to Tecnam, the organization plans to add 24 more aircraft to its fleet within the next two years.

December 12, 2025

Florida Flyers Flight Academy Receives Two P-Mentor Aircraft

Florida Flyers Flight Academy has taken delivery of two Tecnam P-Mentor aircraft, the first of an order of 10 units. The deliveries mark the start of the flight school’s fleet modernization program, according to Tecnam. The P-Mentor will be used in a single-platform training concept, where students can progress from zero flight hours to commercial pilot certification using one aircraft type, Tecnam says.

December 11, 2025

Shannon Airport Opens Solar Farm

Ireland’s Shannon Airport (SNN) has opened a 5.5-acre solar farm. The 1.2-megawatt solar farm consists of 2,700 panels, capable of producing up to 20% of the airport’s annual electricity demand. The sustainable power upgrade was made possible through a grant awarded by the Irish government, funding €1.5 million ($1.7 million) of the project’s cost. SNN also completed a 7,800 ft.² expansion for five of its gates, improving queuing and circulation space used for short-haul flights.

December 10, 2025

OK3 Air Adding New Hangar At KHCR

OK3 Air, a fixed base operator at Heber Valley Airport (KHCR) in Utah, will complete construction of its new 31,500 ft.² hangar. The airport will offer a total of 65,000 ft.² of hangar capacity after its completion, according to the company. Additionally, KHCR is receiving upgrades in the form of a 20,000 ft.² ramp, drainage systems and aircraft markings. Construction of the FBO and airport upgrades are expected to be completed by the end of 2025.

December 9, 2025

Cirrus Launches Aircraft Trade-In And Upgrade Program

Cirrus Aircraft announced the launch of its aircraft trade-in and upgrade program, Cirrus Next. The program aims to simplify and streamline the purchase of new Cirrus aircraft. According to Cirrus, the program helps prevent a gap in aircraft ownership and connects buyers with manufacturer-backed trade-in support or authorized pre-owned Cirrus brokers. The program is currently available for late model SR Series aircraft and all Vision jets, according to the company.

December 8, 2025

King Aerospace Wins FAA King Air Program Maintenance Logistics Contract

King Aerospace, a U.S.-based maintenance, repair and operations provider, earned an FAA contract to provide maintenance services for the agency’s fleet of Beechcraft 300/360 King Air aircraft. King Aerospace’s Addison, Texas, facility will act as the prime contractor, with King Aerospace Commercial Corporation serving as the principal subcontractor. According to the company, the FAA is expected to receive its first new King Air 360 in 2027. It currently operates a fleet of 17 King Air 300s.

Pratt & Whitney Canada’s PT6A Engine Surpasses 1 Million Flight Hr.

In 2025, Pratt & Whitney’s global fleet of PT6A turboprop engines used in agricultural aviation and firefighting missions surpassed more than 1 million flight hr. All eight PT6A engine models power Thrush Aircraft and Air Tractor aircraft. The engine was introduced in 1963 and has accrued over 500 million flight hr. across 155 different aircraft types, Pratt & Whitney says.

December 5, 2025

Heli Transair To Purchase Three Bell 505s

Heli Transair, a German helicopter operator, signed an agreement for the purchase of three Bell 505 aircraft. The new additions bring Heli Transair’s Bell 505 fleet to a total of five aircraft, which are used to support major power and energy providers in Germany. The aircraft will be utilized in powerline inspections, external load operations and pilot training for private and governmental customers, according to Bell.

Cutter Aviation Opens New Charter Location

Cutter Aviation opened its newest aircraft charter location at the Colorado Springs Airport (KCOS). The new location serves as part of Cutter’s expansion into the Rocky Mountains region. According to the company, the KCOS location and the addition of Pilatus PC-12 aircraft strengthen its ability to deliver personalized air travel in Colorado Springs and across the country.

December 4, 2025

Hartzell Engine Tech PowerUP S-1200 Receives FAA PMA

Hartzell Engine Tech’s PowerUP S-1200 series aircraft magnetos has received FAA Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA). Hartzell is accepting distribution orders and anticipates global stocking availability by the end of the first quarter in 2026, according to the company. The magnetos are designed for 4- and 6-cylinder engines.

Diamond Delivers Three DA62 MPP Aircraft To Greece

Diamond Aircraft delivered three DA62 multi-purpose platform (MPP) special mission aircraft to the Greek Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection. Each unit is equipped with surveillance and communication technologies to support firefighting, search and rescue and real-time intelligence operations, according to the company. The purchase agreement also includes ground stations, training, spare parts and long-term support.

December 3, 2025

Magellan Jets Offers New Financing For Fractional Ownership Program

Magellan Jets is now offering financing through NFS Capital to help clients secure potential 2025 tax benefits. According to the company, the program provides qualified buyers an opportunity to access capital to acquire fractional shares, offering up to 90% financing. Additionally, through NFS Capital, the company offers a simplified underwriting process and closings within several business days, according to Magellan Jets.

DC Aviation Al-Futtaim Adds Gulfstream G650 To Charter Fleet

DC Aviation Al-Futtaim (DCAF) announced the addition of a Gulfstream G650 to its charter fleet. Additionally, the company has added a Bombardier Challenger 650 to its managed fleet. The addition of two aircraft serve as part of DCAF’s charter fleet expansion to meet the growing business aviation sector in the Middle East. Besides the G650, DCAF’s fleet includes a Global 7500, Global XRS and a Pilatus PC-12. The inclusion of the G650 comes at a time of significant growth in the Middle East’s business aviation sector, the company says.

December 2 2025

MedAire, Valo Aviation Enter Partnership

MedAire announced its strategic partnership with Valo Aviation, a luxury business aviation operator in Bahrain. As part of the agreement, Valo Aviation’s fleet will be equipped with MedAire’s next-generation integrated aviation risk-management solution, MedAire360. The platform uses AI to scan over 1.3 billion open-source data inputs to detect disruptive events within minutes, MedAire says.

AMAC Aerospace Receives Extended GACA Approval

AMAC Aerospace has received an extension to its existing approval from the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), Saudi Arabia’s aviation authority. According to the company, the extended GACA approval includes new ratings for the Bombardier CL600-2B16 airframe and GE CF34-3B engine, allowing AMAC Aerospace to provide maintenance support. AMAC Aerospace’s GACA approval covers an array of aircraft types, including Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier and Gulfstream aircraft.

December 1 2025

FAI Air Ambulance, Medcare Royal Specialty Hospital Dubai Enter Collaboration

FAI Aviation Services has signed a cooperation agreement with Medcare Royal Specialty Hospital, Al Qusais, Dubai. As part of the agreement, the hospital will provide ICU flight doctors and specialist medical teams for FAI’s air ambulance services. According to FAI, the collaboration is expected to optimize logistics, shorten response times and enhance coordination for patients undergoing urgent or critical transfers. FAI has provided air ambulance flights in the UAE for the past 20 years.

Action Aviation Becomes First Middle East Gogo Galileo FDX Customer

Gogo announced that Action Aviation is the first Middle Eastern operator to purchase its Galileo FDX connectivity terminal. The inflight connectivity service will be installed on Action Aviation’s Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) 737. The larger variant of the Gogo Galileo FDX uses a full-duplex antenna with two arrays, accessing the Eutelsat OneWeb satellite constellation for global connectivity. According to Gogo, the system is optimized for large cabin aircraft, supporting low-latency connectivity across multiple devices simultaneously.