The Weekly of Business Aviation

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.

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.

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.

Magellan Jets is now offering financing through NFS Capital to help clients secure potential 2025 tax benefits.

XO, a Vista subsidiary, announced the launch of a new membership tier with executive-focused benefits.

Universal Flight Concepts (UFC), a U.S.-based flight training organization, has taken delivery of an additional four Tecnam P2008 LSA and P2010 aircraft.

NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy is strongly opposing Sec. 373, “Manned Rotary Aircraft Safety,” in the House-passed 2026 National Defense Authorization Act.

Brief news items of interest to business aviation professionals.

The first Bombardier Global 6000 due for full conversion into the German Air Force’s next signals-intelligence aircraft has arrived in Germany for modification.

The French Environmental Authority (Ae) is recommending Aura Aero provides more details and analysis on the environmental impact of its factory.

Daher Aircraft has received Brazilian ANAC certification of its Kodiak 900 single-engine turboprop.

Saudi Arabia’s GACA has awarded two National Charter Air Carrier tenders to alliances led by Kuwait’s Jazeera Airways and luxury leisure airline BeOnd Aviation.

For the seventh time in six years, CPI Aerostructures has a new chief financial officer. The Edgewood, New York, manufacturer has appointed Robert Mannix as CFO

France's ARCC is seeing progress in raising awareness of the aviation community and official bodies about who to call after an accident.

NetJets has entered into an agreement with SpaceX’s Starlink unit to install satellite broadband connectivity across 600 business jets by the end of 2026.

Cirrus has received Brazil’s ANAC approval for its SR Series G7+ equipped with Garmin’s Safe Return Emergency Autoland for use in Brazil.

Reliable Robotics has secured a new NASA contract to flight test its automated Cessna 208B Caravan in and around U.S. airports.

Group Elephant has issued a $250,000 matching challenge grant for Elephants, Rhinos & People if the group can raise $250,000 from donors by Feb. 28, 2026.

L3Harris says it is receiving increasing international interest in a business-jet-based airborne early warning and control aircraft.

Business aviation advocacy groups praise the introduction of a bipartisan bill—Securing America’s Fuel Act—by the U.S. House of Representatives.

Charter Operator BellAir has rebranded as Jet Excellence after acquiring Red Wing Aeroplane from Vista Global.

Swiss startup Jekta has completed its second 1:9-scale prototype amphibious seaplane and is preparing to launch into a flight test campaign in January.

IATA's Willie Walsh has expressed “zero confidence” that plans to have a third runway at Heathrow Airport up and running by 2035 can be completed on time.

OHI is positioning Brazilian subsidiary Revo to be an early adopter of eVTOL air taxis, targeting commercial operations using Eve Air Mobility aircraft.

IATA is warning about a high increase in jamming and spoofing events in and around Venezuela and is pressing the ICAO to intervene.