General Business Aviation News

Wheels UP is now expanding to Europe and will be utilizing its successful US business model for the expansion. Founding member of Wheels UP John Colucci moved to England to oversee the successful implementation of the business in Europe. Not many details are available as yet but they are expected to be using the King Air 350i focusing on Western Europe for the start. In the U.S, the first year’s membership is priced at $17,500 ($8,500 annually for renewals) and the King Air costs $3,950 per occupied hour. Members are free to sell space on their bookings through Wheels Up’s app, and empty leg seats are available at a flat rate of $200. Wheels Up reports an 89 percent renewal rate. While the company owns the aircraft, they are operated in the U.S. by Gama Aviation on its AOC. They are hoping to use a similar model in Europe.

Charter group Zetta Jet is expanding its all-Bombardier fleet, with the addition of four Challenger 650s. In a deal signed at NBAA 2016 in Orlando on Sunday afternoon, the Singapore-based operator will lease the 12-seat twinjets from China’s Minsheng Financial Leasing, which placed the order valued at $129.4 million. Zetta Jet is adding the 4,000-nm-range aircraft to offer a more affordable option than its existing longer-range fleet consisting of four Global 6000s, two Global 5000s, a Global XRS and a pair of Global Express jets. The new aircraft will operate out of the company’s North American hub in Los Angeles, and deliveries have already begun. (AIN)

Love big business jets...? This one should have to make the overhead oxygen deploy for you

Luxury charter company Royal Jet has taken delivery of the second of two BBJ aircraft from completions center Lufthansa Technik. Lufthansa Technik has re-delivered the second Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) to Royal Jet, a VVIP charter operator in the Middle East. Like the first aircraft, which was re-delivered in October, the second completion was finished on time after just nine months at Lufthansa Technik’s Hamburg location. The unique and innovative cabin was designed by New York based designer Edése Doret and is characterized by a clear, minimalist esthetic style, equally combining geometric shapes and organic structures. The two aircraft also set new standards in the area of connectivity. They are the first BBJs worldwide to be fitted with the Ka-band antenna system as part of their initial completion. The new system allows high-speed Internet and TV connections just like at home.

Jet Aviation has recently added a new Global 6000 aircraft to its managed fleet in the Middle East. The aircraft is based in the United Arab Emirates and is one of 20 aircraft currently being managed in the region by the company. The new Global 6000 brings the company’s managed fleet in the Middle East up to 20 aircraft, including one Airbus, four Bombardier, one BBJ, two Cessna, three Dassault Falcon and 8 Gulfstream aircraft. “We are pleased to note our clients continue to show confidence in our skills and expertise,” says Claudio Peer, Jet Aviation’s Vice President of Aircraft Management & Charter Sales in EMEA & Asia. “Clients appreciate having their aircraft professionally managed, so they can simply enjoy them. We look forward to adding new aircraft, including another Gulfstream G650 in the next weeks.”

Empire Aviation Group (EAG) has added a third new Gulfstream G650 to its managed fleet. The G650 ultra long-range business jet, was acquired by EAG for an existing owner upgrading a previous aircraft. EAG was involved in the entire process which included the acquisition, purchase, registration and the delivery of the aircraft. Paras Dhamecha, executive director of Empire Aviation Group said: “EAG has developed really strong experience of managing and operating the G650 for owners – based on our current two aircraft – and we are now delighted to add a third to the fleet. The G650 is a very impressive business jet and it is no surprise that some existing aircraft owners are looking to upgrade to this very long-range and comfortable plane.”

Jet Aviation unveils a new corporate logo and branding initiative as part of the company’s 50th jubilee anniversary celebrations next year. The new corporate logo retains the color elements of the company’s current mark, while introducing a more modern design. The branding initiative also features a stand-alone emblem that replaces the deer-head symbol. Amongst other celebratory activities planned to commemorate 50 years of successful business aviation service provision next year, Jet Aviation will launch a new company logo and corporate emblem on January 1, 2017. The company has also designed a 50th anniversary logo that will be featured in all communications throughout the company’s anniversary year. The new corporate branding initiative demonstrates the innovative culture that defines Jet Aviation and signals the company’s readiness to embrace the future. At the same time, design elements are retained in the new corporate logo and brand identity to honor Jet Aviation’s half-century legacy. One of the most notable changes in the branding initiative is the deer-head symbol giving way to a stand-alone monogram with the word “JET” inscribed.

Luxaviation UK (formerly London Executive Aviation), the UK’s largest private jet charter operator, is celebrating the start of 2017 with the arrival of a Cessna Citation Mustang and a Bombardier Challenger 350 to its fleet, both brand new. These new additions bring Luxaviation UK’s total fleet number to 26. Both aircraft belong to new clients for Luxaviation UK. George Galanopoulos, managing director, Luxaviation UK says: “We start the year as we mean to go on! In 2016, we progressed a significant number of new aircraft management proposals – certainly more than the previous few years – and we are confident our new relationships will see the fleet grow further over the coming months.”

The Citation Mustang, the fourth of its type in Luxaviation UK’s fleet, will be based in Nice, France and be available for charter from February 2017. With space for four passengers and a maximum distance of 1,200 nm (2,222 km), from the South of France it will be able to reach throughout Europe and the UK, as well as parts of Scandinavia and North Africa. The Challenger 350 will be based at Luton Airport, UK. With space for nine passengers and a maximum distance of 3,200 nm (5,930 km), the Challenger 350 is for the client’s corporate use only. Its on-board Satcom system means that passengers can stay connected to the ground, making it the ideal place to hold meetings on the go.

Cutter Aviation has added the HondaJet to its FAA Part 135 Air Carrier Certificate. Two aircraft have now begun operations from Phoenix’s Sky Harbor Airport. Gordon Paige, director of Operations of Cutter Aviation said: “We are delighted to be the first charter provider offering flights with the new HondaJet. This aircraft comfortably seats up to 6 passengers, has a fully enclosed lavatory, provides more baggage space than competitors and provides the customer an experience unlike any other light jet on the market.”

The tale of Super Sonic Business Jet flight continues and one of the latest contenders suggest they will fly an aircraft this year. Spike Aero is actually aiming to fly a subsonic prototype of the intended supersonic variant later this year. They are basically looking at putting together a lower speed demonstrator by the Summer and then step up to a supersonic variant for next year...at least that is the plan. Below is a photo of the 60 to 80 million dollar aircraft they wish to target full certification for in 2023.

Yesterday we had a look at a Super Sonic Business Jet proposal by Spike Aero but they aren't the only company endeavouring to have a supersonic aircraft. Boom Technology is another company working on a design that will hopefully see a prototype fly in 2017 too. The XB-1 is a third scale prototype of the real aircraft and that is expected to start actual flight testing in late 2017. The full design is expected to seat 45 passengers and travel at a speed of Mach 2.2. No attempts are being made to dampen the creation of the sonic boom and as a result sub-sonic flight will occur over land areas.

VistaJet recently won the Huron Report’s ‘Best of the Best’ award in the best business jet operator category. It is the second time that the operator has won the award. The awards are part of the ‘Hurun Report Chinese Luxury Consumer Survey 2017’. In the business jet operator category companies were judged based on a broad range of metrics including their customer service, global reach and the overall in-flight experience. The awards are voted for by 449 of China’s wealthiest people, who have all had previous experiences of flying on private jets. Vistajet’s expansion into Asia includes a partnership with China-based Apex Air, who operate a B- Challenger 850 on behalf of the company. Having a locally registered aircraft allows VistaJet, through Apex Air, to be one of the only international companies allowed to operate domestically within China. “China is an incredibly important market for us, so we are proud to have received the Business Jet Operator Star Performer accolade for the second time at Hurun Research Institute’s Best of the Best Awards.” said Thomas Flohr, chairman and founder of VistaJet.

Royal Jet's latest Boeing Business Jet features a very modern looking interior which is different from what you usually get from this operator. The interior is more contemporary and modern utilizing materials like carbon fiber throughout the interior. Ka Band for the internet is also available but the interior concept looks really good in reality.

Yesterday (March 1) FlexJet introduced its European operations with the Nextant 400XTi, the first of three they plan to use. The 400XTi is a remanufacturered businessjet based on the BeechJet 400. The ceremony was conducted at TAG Farnborough's facility yesterday. The new service will be aimed at Flexjet’s North American customers wishing to travel within Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The fleet will also be available for ad hoc charter through what Flexjet describes as its “select European charter broker partners”. The Nextant 400 XTi gives alot of bang for your buck in the light jet category. High cruising speed of around 450 knots and a range in the region of 2,003 nautical miles and low operating costs the 400 XTi has alot of appeal.

As an update to the above, BOOM has made a major milestone with regard to preliminary testing on the design. The company has wind tunnel tested a model at the Wichita State University to verify that low speed, stability and control parameters are within their predictions. The next hurdle is to actually construct a demonstrator model -called the XB-1 Demonstrator- which will be a small version of the intended full size aircraft.

The Chinese B registration is now more attractive to persons wanting to utilize it for their registration. Aircraft owners will no longer have to pay a fee to register their aircraft on the mainland China B- register. The abolition of the registration fee is part of a larger Chinese government plan to stop charging fees across several industries.

Private Dreamliner business jet

Deer Jet's Dream jet is currently on a world tour and the Boeing 787 stopped at the Stanstead Airport in London. Deer Jet is launching exclusive, bespoke travel packages aboard the 787 Dream Jet, starting with the ‘Hong Kong to Tahiti Dream Journey.’ It features a seven-night charter package including complimentary accommodation at the Presidential Suite of St. Regis Bora Bora Resort.

Garmin enters the HUD market.

Garmin appears to have officially entered the Heads Up Display (HUD) market with the introduction of the Garmin Head-up Display (GHD 2100). Infact one has been installed on the first flight test article of the Cessna Citation Longitude Program. It is designed for midsize and super midsize executive jets and will feature a 30 degree wide and 24 degree vertical field of view. The Citation Longitude form Textron Aviation already features the Garmin G5000 flight deck and this new HUD will be a great addition to the avionics suite.

Flexjet to soon start Legacy 600 operation in Europe.

At this start of the 2017 edition of the EBACE Flexjet is expected to announce their concrete plans of introducing the Legacy 600 into operation in Europe. The Legacy 600 was chosen for its super-midsize cabin and nearly 3,800-nm range, allowing flights from London or Paris to points in Northern Africa and the Middle East, according Flexjet Ltd. CEO Ray Jones. Flexjet says the Legacy 600s will be able to seat 13 and have newly done interiors as seen in the below photo.

Crystal Cruises with their newly injected capital from their new majority stake owners Genting Hong Kong (GHK) is currently in the process of converting a Boeing 772LR into a VIP BBJ. The work is being done at Greenpoint Technologies.

Comlux Aviation and Crystal AirCruises announced at the recently concluded EBACE that Fly Comlux, the group’s executive airline division, will manage and operate Crystal’s Boeing B777-200LR, which is currently undergoing completion by Greenpoint Technologies. The executive-configured airliner is scheduled to enter service this fall and Comlux will operate the aircraft under an Aruba registration.