Business Aviation & AAM Report

Business aviation updates include fleet expansions, eVTOL developments and new safety initiatives across multiple regions.

Caitlin Locke has been named FAA Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety, rising from a key certification role to the agency’s top civilian safety position.

Three aircraft developers reveal different approaches to battery-electric flight from trainers to regional transports.

On the heels of a first piloted transition flight of its VE25-100 eVTOL in late May and backed by roughly $450 million in new capital from two recent closings, Volant Aerotech CEO Dong Ming spoke with Aviation Week to discuss the milestone and what comes next.

The number of hours flown by corporate, fractional, charter and private individual operators from March to May 2026 rose when compared to hourly utilization performance during the same period of 2025 and 2019, according to Aviation Week’s Tracked Aircraft Utilization data.

Latvia’s Border Guard has placed orders for three Leonardo AW139 medium twin-engine helicopters funded through the European Security Action for Europe loans.

Aerotec names Morais Brazil sales director while West Star promotes Messmer and Guardian Jet elevates three to sales director roles.

The total number of hours flown by private aviation providers NetJets and Flexjet rose during the March to May 2026 period compared to the same period in 2025, both with an increase of 12%, according to Aviation Week’s Tracked Aircraft Utilization data.

Doncasters is pursuing a $4 billion IPO on the New York Stock Exchange, driven by surging demand in aerospace, defense and AI-powered data centers.

ZeroAvia shifted to defense during funding struggles but maintains its civil aviation mission while certifying its hydrogen fuel cell technology.

Honeywell develops next-gen HTF7000 engine core targeting large-cabin business jets as market gap emerges between aircraft classes.

Avincis orders 30 Airbus and Leonardo helicopters for EMS, search and rescue and offshore operations across Europe.

The national average for a gallon of Jet-A fuel in June totaled $8.18, according to a survey of U.S. FBOs by the Aviation Research Group, including taxes and fees.

Vaeridion reports battery suppliers exceeding performance targets for electric aircraft, boosting Microliner development prospects.

Former Southern Airways Express founder and CEO Stan Little has been named chairman of The Twenty-Five, a luxury mobility company.

NASA’s X-59 Quesst low-boom supersonic demonstrator achieved Mach 1.4 at 55,000 ft. on June 12.

Kriya Shortt assumed the position of senior vice president of parts and distribution for Textron Aviation in January 2026.

Flexjet has acquired The Jet Business, a London-based aircraft brokerage and advisory firm.

It's not about policies that require SAF, or designing scalable, affordable SAF. The most significant threat to scaling SAF is airport infrastructure itself.

A jet card allows customers to prepay for flight hours while avoiding aircraft ownership.

Embraer is preparing to begin tests in a fuel-cell rig as it explores the potential of hydrogen as a fuel to decarbonize aviation.

For its nine-seat, all-electric Microliner, Vaeridion has successfully completed the preliminary design review.

Bombardier plans to nearly double its Singapore Service Center at Seletar Airport with the addition of a 250,000 ft.2 facility.

Gulfstream Aerospace has completed the 100th customer delivery for the Gulfstream G700 ultra-long-range jet.

Vertical Aerospace has expanded its flight test fleet with the first flight of its latest and final full-scale VX4 prototype.