The new venture will acquire 22 aircraft valued at $1.4 billion. Photo: Avolon.
DUBLIN – Aircraft lessor Avolon said Monday that it will establish a new leasing platform with Miami-based infrastructure investor I Squared Capital and a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, backed by a $1.4 billion seed portfolio.
The new joint venture, named Constellation Aviation, will use the seed funding to acquire 22 aircraft from Avolon. The aircraft have an average age of about five years and are leased to 17 airlines in 15 countries.
Avolon will retain a minority stake in the venture and serve as its exclusive aircraft manager and servicer, providing leasing, asset management and technical expertise, the Dublin-based company said.
The platform is expected to expand over time, capitalizing on growing passenger demand, limited aircraft manufacturing capacity and airlines’ increasing reliance on leasing to finance fleet expansion and renewal, Avolon said.
In October, Avolon placed firm orders for 250 aircraft from Boeing and Airbus, with options for a further 100 Airbus jets. The orders increased its total firm aircraft commitments to 749.
The DHC-515, marketed as the Canadair 515, is a new version of the Canadair CL-415 amphibious waterbomber. It builds on the legacy of the CL-415 with modern avionics, improved maintainability and enhanced operational capabilities.
De Havilland Canada is producing an initial batch of 22 DHC-515s for six European customers: Croatia, Spain, Italy, Greece, Portugal and France. Purchase agreements for the aircraft were signed through the Canadian Commercial Corp. in 2024.
Assembly of the first DHC-515 is under way at the company’s Canadian manufacturing facilities. In a production update in July, the company said the cockpit and hull had been joined to form the forward fuselage, while the mid-fuselage and the aircraft’s first 28.6-metre wing box had also been completed.
The financing agreement will allow the company to accelerate production, with additional aircraft slots expected to become available starting in 2030.
The company also plans to hire more staff and expand capacity at its sites in Victoria, Calgary, Toronto, Kitchener and Fort Erie, Ont.
The transaction is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2027.
Demand for waterbombers has increased in recent years amid catastrophic wildfires in various parts of the world.
In August, the Canadian government reached a conditional agreement with British Columbia-based Coulson Aviation to convert 10 retired Royal Canadian Air Force CC-130H Hercules transport aircraft into aerial firefighters.
Canada had 129 active wildfires as of Saturday, including 11 classified as out of control, according to the Canadian Wildland Fire Information System. Year to date, 5,560 fires had burned 4.5 million hectares, the platform’s data showed.
MONTREAL – Airlines worldwide spent $24.5 billion processing $1.05 trillion in sales in 2025, with payment costs rising faster than sales, according to the International Air Transport Association.
Graphic: IATA.
Total payment costs increased 10.4% from 2023, compared with a 7.7% rise in sales over the same period, the organization that represents more than 370 airlines said in a report released Tuesday.
The average payment cost was $5 per passenger, exceeding IATA’s forecast net profit of $4.50 per passenger for 2026, it said.
Payment fees accounted for $20.7 billion, or 84.5%, of the total cost. Airline operating expenses, including payment systems, delayed cash flow, staffing and compliance, accounted for $2.9 billion, while fraud and uncollected sales resulted in a further $900 million in losses.
Card payments were the most expensive, with average fees of 2.53%, compared with an estimated overall average of 1.97%. The lowest-cost payment options carried fees of 0.01%, IATA said.
The association is urging airlines to offer more lower-cost payment methods, including digital wallets and local instant payment systems.
Its 2025 Global Passenger Survey found that 29% of passengers preferred digital wallets, while 8% favored local instant payment solutions.
IATA also said about one in five attempts to purchase additional services, such as baggage or seat selection, failed because an initial payment was refused and no alternative payment method was offered.
Sandrine Le Borgne, IATA’s interim director general and chief financial officer, said the increase in payment costs outpaced industry revenue growth and highlighted the need for greater cost efficiency.
BRUSSELS – More than three-quarters (77%) of European pilots surveyed experienced at least one microsleep while operating an aircraft in the past four weeks, according to a report released Monday by the European Cockpit Association.
The survey, conducted by aviation consultancy Baines Simmons and based on responses from 7,200 pilots across 32 countries, found little improvement in fatigue risk management since a similar study in 2023.
Despite widespread fatigue, only 37.2% of pilots said they reported being unfit to fly because of fatigue, while 24.2% said they did not report it and flew anyway.
In written responses, 38.2% cited fear of punishment or retaliation for submitting a fatigue report, while 46.9% said concerns about management’s reaction had contributed to flying while fatigued.
The survey also found continued pressure to extend flight duties under Commander’s Discretion, a provision intended to permit extensions in exceptional circumstances. Some 38.3% of pilots said they had used it at least once in the previous four weeks, while 15.2% had used it twice or more.
Meanwhile, 69.1% expressed some degree of concern about negative consequences if they refused to extend a flight duty, up from 65.8% in 2023.
Capt. Tanja Harter. Photo: ECA.
ECA President Capt. Tanja Harter said the findings should prompt airlines, regulators and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency to change how pilot fatigue is managed.
“This report provides all the data needed to repair Europe’s broken fatigue reporting, to strengthen EASA regulations to ensure airlines proactively manage their fatigue risks, and to enforce once and for all the requirement for non-punitive fatigue reporting and use of Commander’s Discretion to extend a flight.”
The association said fatigue reporting systems at many airlines were not considered effective or trustworthy and called for stronger oversight by national aviation authorities and measures to ensure pilots could report fatigue without fear of punishment.
The findings were reported as the EASA was finalizing a strategy on aircrew fatigue and setting priorities for the coming years.
Baines Simmons Managing Director Ian Holder said the survey reflected pilots’ experiences rather than directly measuring safety risks or outcomes.
However, he said the consistency of the findings over three years highlighted areas where airlines and regulators could focus their efforts.
Théo Parant: We’ve brought a real aircraft that can fly. Photo: Abdul Latheef.
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – A two-seat hybrid electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft dubbed a “heavy drone” in France is set to begin flight testing in the United States, the executive behind the project said Tuesday.
“We are planning to start flight tests of the JP1 in April,” Théo Parant, CEO and co-founder of DTA Americas, said in an interview.
The company was established in Arizona this year as a subsidiary of DTA France, which has been building ultralight aircraft, including gyroplanes and trikes, since 1990.
Parant said the JP1 was registered as a drone in France because of government regulations. “In fact, it was the heaviest drone in the country,” he quipped.
Although the JP1 has already logged 200 hours of flight testing in France, the company will begin the process anew in the U.S. because of a “different administrative path” toward certification, Parant said.
The company has started taking orders for the aircraft. Photo: Abdul Latheef.
The aircraft is on display at NBAA-BACE, the business aviation industry’s largest convention, which opened Tuesday.
“We’ve brought a real aircraft that can fly,” Parant said as visitors stopped to take photos. “Not a startup with a mockup” is the company’s slogan, printed on its brochure.
The company says the JP1 can fly for two hours at full payload. It has a range of 180 miles with two people on board and up to 235 miles with one occupant. Other features include an airframe parachute, a hybrid powertrain and an autopilot.
DTA is targeting private pilots who could use the aircraft for recreation or as a “modern-day two-seat helicopter,” Parant said.
Théo Parant: The JP1 could be used as a modern day two-seat helicopter. Photo: Abdul Latheef.
“I am not very happy with the term ‘flying helicopter,’ but in a way that is what this aircraft will be used for,” he said.
The JP1 will be a new entrant in the U.S. eVTOL market, but Parant stressed that DTA is not “starting from scratch.”
He said the company has decades of aviation experience, with nearly 600 aircraft deployed worldwide. DTA France continues to maintain those aircraft and provide after-sales support, he said.
The company is taking orders for the JP1 with a $12,000 deposit, of which $10,000 is refundable. The launch edition is expected to be available in 2028 at $385,000, DTA said.
WICHITA, Kan. –Textron Aviation announced Tuesday the rollout of the first production Cessna Citation CJ4 Gen3 as business aviation leaders gathered in Las Vegas for NBAA-BACE, the industry’s largest convention.
The teams behind the production of Cessna Citation CJ4 Gen3 celebrate a major milestone. Photo: Textron Aviation.
The rollout marks a step toward production and delivery of the upgraded aircraft, which features Garmin G3000 PRIME avionics and Garmin Emergency Autoland, a system designed to take control of the aircraft if a pilot becomes incapacitated.
The company expects the CJ4 Gen3 to be the first light jet on the market equipped with the system.
The updated flight deck features touchscreen technology, advanced displays and streamlined controls intended to simplify pilot workload and improve situational awareness, Textron Aviation said.
The CJ4 Gen3 is the latest version of Cessna’s largest light jet. The single-pilot-certified aircraft is expected to have a maximum range of 2,165 nautical miles and a maximum cruise speed of 451 knots. It can accommodate up to 11 people and has a useful load of 6,930 pounds.
Textron Aviation, a Textron Inc. company, manufactures a range of Cessna and Beechcraft aircraft for the business, general aviation and special-mission markets.
Mark Burns says the company is excited about the growing demand for business aircraft. Photo: Abdul Latheef.
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – The business aviation industry is at an inflection point as demand for private aircraft remains robust despite geopolitical turmoil, the president of Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. said Monday.
Mark Burns was speaking in Las Vegas ahead of Tuesday’s opening of NBAA-BACE, the business aviation industry’s largest convention.
“We’re just scratching the surface,” Burns said at a news conference, referring to the growing demand for aircraft in many regions. “I expect the market is going to be good. We’re excited about it.”
Gulfstream plans to deliver 160 aircraft this year, Burns said. To support its growing customer base, the company maintains a global spare parts inventory valued at $3 billion.
Gulfstream also reported progress in the G400 flight-test program. A fully outfitted aircraft completed a 2-hour, 46-minute flight from Dallas Love Field Airport, reaching an altitude of 48,000 feet.
The aircraft, configured to carry 11 passengers across two-and-a-half living areas, is being used to evaluate cabin systems at altitude and test functionality and comfort in flight, the company said.
This G400 flew in from Miami, setting a city pair speed record. Photo: Abdul Latheef.
Another G400 flew from Miami to Las Vegas, setting a city pair speed record by completing the flight in 4 hours and 8 minutes at an average speed of Mach 0.89.
“The aircraft continues to perform exceptionally well as we advance through the rigorous certification program,” Burns said.
The Midnight flying over the San Francisco Bay. Photo: Archer Aviation.
SILICON VALLEY, Calif. –Archer Aviation’s Midnight air taxi has wrapped up piloted demonstration flights in the Bay Area, capping a month-long tour dubbed “No Roads,” the startup announced Monday.
The Midnight is an all-electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft that can carry four passengers and one pilot.
The Northern California tour was intended to demonstrate the aircraft’s ability to connect cities seamlessly, Archer said. The next series of flights are planned for Los Angeles.
The program kicked off Sept. 4 with a roundtrip between Salinas Municipal Airport and Hollister Municipal Airport.
The announcement comes as executives gather in Las Vegas for NBAA-BACE, the business aviation industry’s largest convention, opening Tuesday. Archer is an exhibitor at the event.
“Flying (The) Midnight across multiple cities in Northern California shows we can connect communities with no roads, no traffic, and no emissions in minutes instead of hours,” said Adam Goldstein, founder and CEO of Archer. “That’s the future we’re working toward bringing to the Bay Area, Los Angeles and cities across the country.”
The flights were conducted in coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration as it prepares for future operations under a federal eVTOL pilot program.
The Wichita facility is Bombardier’s first dedicated in-house skills development center. Photo: Bombardier.
WICHITA, Kan. – Bombardier opened its North American Learning Center in Wichita on Thursday, part of a new $50 million investment by the Canadian business aircraft maker, less than six weeks after President Donald Trump threatened to block the company from selling aircraft in the United States unless they are built in America.
Bombardier has pushed back against the rhetoric, saying it employs thousands of Americans and supports tens of thousands of U.S. jobs through its operations and supply chain. The company spends more than $2.5 billion annually with U.S. suppliers.
The learning center will provide specialized training for newly hired aircraft technicians and mechanics who will support customers through Bombardier’s American service network. It is the company’s first dedicated in-house skills development center.
The investment also includes a recently expanded Wheel and Tire Shop, which uses specialized equipment and employee training to expand the company’s component repair and overhaul capabilities.
Bombardier said the projects will strengthen its U.S. operations and position the Kansas site for continued growth.
“Wichita has long been an important part of Bombardier’s story, and we continue to see tremendous opportunity for the site,” said Paul Sislian, executive vice president of aircraft sales and Bombardier Aftermarket Services.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, Lt.-Gov. David Toland, Bombardier executives and industry representatives.
Kelly said her administration had partnered with Bombardier since 2019 to expand its presence in Wichita, which is home to the company’s U.S. headquarters and Bombardier Defense.
The company has about 3,500 employees and 10 service and manufacturing facilities across the country. It is also planning to open a service center in Fort Wayne, Ind.
The Global 8000 will be among Bombardier aircraft on display: Photo: Bombardier.
At NBAA-BACE, the business aviation industry’s largest convention, opening in Las Vegas on Tuesday, Bombardier will put its Global 8000, Global 6500 and Challenger 3500 aircraft on static display.
The company will also host a discussion with John Travolta. The actor, who is type-rated on more than a dozen aircraft, including the Global Express, will share experiences from his 50 years of flying.
The Citation CJ3 Gen2 offers seating for up to 10 occupants. Photo: Textron Aviation.
WICHITA, Kan. –Textron Aviation will debut its Cessna Citation CJ3 Gen2 light jet at NBAA-BACE, the business aviation industry’s largest convention opening in Las Vegas next Tuesday, the company said Wednesday.
Textron Aviation manufactures Cessna and Beechcraft aircraft.
The static display at Henderson Executive Airport on Oct. 20-21 will also feature the Citation Longitude, Citation Latitude and Citation Ascend, the company said.
In addition, Textron Aviation will showcase aftermarket services, connectivity solutions and cabin upgrades at the event.
TRU Simulation + Training, an affiliate of the company, will demonstrate its Veris virtual reality flight training device configured for the Cessna Skyhawk.
The Citation CJ3 Gen2 features Garmin autothrottle technology, Garmin G3000 avionics and GDL60 connectivity, Textron Aviation said.
The aircraft can accommodate up to 10 occupants and offers optional swivel seats. It has a range of 2,040 nautical miles with a maximum payload of 2,135 pounds.
The 2026 NBAA-BACE will be held Oct. 20-22 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Airbus projects the industry will need 2.44 million additional aviation professionals over the next 20 years. Photo: Airbus.
TOULOUSE, France – The global aviation services market is expected to double in value to $422 billion by 2045, driven by fleet expansion and growing demand for maintenance, digital solutions and workforce training, Airbus said Wednesday.
The market will grow at a compound annual rate of 3.8% from $209 billion in 2026, supporting a commercial aircraft fleet of more than 45,550 aircraft and nearly 10 billion annual passenger journeys by 2045, according to the European aircraft manufacturer’s Global Services Forecast.
The industry will need 2.44 million additional aviation professionals over the next 20 years, including 730,000 maintenance technicians, 660,000 pilots and 1.05 million cabin crew members, the report said.
Off-wing maintenance, including engine and component repairs, will account for the largest share of the market, reaching $217 billion by 2045. Digital services and connectivity will be the fastest-growing segment, expanding at an annual rate of 5.3% to $27 billion.
Airbus expects Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States, North America and China to remain among the largest services markets. Asia is projected to record the fastest growth.
The forecast covers passenger aircraft with more than 100 seats and freighters with payload capacities exceeding 10 tonnes, regardless of manufacturer, Airbus said.
Boeing, in a separate report released in July, projected the global commercial aviation support and services market would reach $4.9 trillion over the next 20 years.
The American manufacturer also estimated the industry would need more than 2.4 million new aviation personnel by 2045, with about two-thirds of the demand replacing retiring workers.
The airships have completed over 750 flight hours. Photo: HyLight.
PARIS – French startup HyLight has raised €13 million (US$15 million) to expand its fleet of autonomous, hydrogen-powered airships used for infrastructure inspections as it seeks to replace helicopter missions across Europe, the company said Monday.
Founded in 2022, HyLight said its aircraft have completed more than 750 flight hours and inspected thousands of kilometers of infrastructure across Europe. Its customers include energy companies Enedis, NaTran and Téréga, railway operator SNCF Réseau and construction group VINCI.
The company plans to increase the number of aircraft it operates simultaneously from four to 15 by 2027. The funding will support production, artificial intelligence development, recruitment and expansion into European markets, particularly Germany and the Netherlands, HyLight said.
The airships are powered by hydrogen. Photo: HyLight.
The 12-meter-long HyLighter uses hydrogen to power its electric propulsion system and can fly for up to 10 hours, with a target range of 350 kilometers.
It can carry up to 10 kilograms of equipment, including cameras, LiDAR sensors and methane detectors.
HyLight’s software can identify and geolocate more than 50 types of infrastructure defects and vegetation-related risks, helping maintenance teams prioritize repairs, it said.
Helicopters remain widely used to inspect power lines, pipelines and railways, despite their operating costs and emissions.
Avolon said the orders would strengthen the company’s delivery pipeline. Photo: Avolon.
DUBLIN – Irish aircraft lessor Avolon has placed firm orders for 250 aircraft from Airbus and Boeing, the company said in its third-quarter update Friday.
The orders are for 140 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft and 110 Airbus airplanes, comprising 75 A320neo jets and 35 A330-900s. Avolon has also secured options for 100 additional Airbus aircraft, the company said.
No financial details were disclosed.
The orders increase Avolon’s total firm aircraft commitments to 749. They are subject to approval by shareholders of Bohai Leasing, which owns 70% of Avolon. The approval is expected before the end of October, the company said.
Avolon CEO Andy Cronin said the orders would strengthen the company’s delivery pipeline and help it meet customers’ fleet renewal and expansion needs. He said the company continued to see strong demand for aircraft, supported by its leasing and trading activity during the third quarter.
The Airbus order comprises 35 A330-900s and 75 A320neo aircraft. Photo: Aircraft
Airbus said in a news release the A330neo offers 25% lower fuel consumption, carbon dioxide emissions and operating costs than previous-generation competitor aircraft. The A320neo family delivers at least 20% lower fuel consumption and CO2 emissions than previous-generation single-aisle aircraft, it said.
During the third quarter, Avolon acquired 10 aircraft and sold 29, with a further 112 agreed for sale. It also placed 28 aircraft with lessees and executed 84 lease agreements, extensions and amendments, the update said.
Avolon is the world’s third-largest aircraft lessor, after AerCap and SMBC Aviation Capital. All three are headquartered in Dublin. No financial details of the aircraft orders were disclosed.
TOULOUSE, France –Irish aircraft lessor Avolon has placed a firm order for 110 Airbus aircraft, comprising 35 A330-900 widebodies and 75 A320neo family narrowbodies, the European manufacturer said.
No financial details were disclosed.
The deal increases Avolon’s total orders for the A330-900 to 114 aircraft and its A320 family orders to about 650.
Avolon CEO Andy Cronin said the order would strengthen the company’s delivery pipeline and help it meet customers’ fleet expansion and replacement needs into the next decade.
The company expects demand for both the A330neo and A320neo to remain strong as the aviation sector continues to grow, Cronin said.
Airbus said the A330neo, powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, can fly up to 8,100 nautical miles (15,000 kilometers) nonstop and offers 25% lower fuel consumption, carbon dioxide emissions and operating costs than previous-generation competitor aircraft.
Avolon is the world’s third-largest aircraft lessor, after AerCap and SMBC Aviation Capital. All three are headquartered in Dublin.
The program will connect more than 1,600 students with real-world aviation careers through the airport. Photo: Toronto Pearson.
TORONTO – Canada’s largest airport is joining forces with the country’s premier science museum network to offer an aviation education program to high school students.
The program, announced Tuesday by Toronto Pearson and Ingenium, will connect more than 1,600 students with real-world aviation careers through the airport.
It will introduce students to careers in aircraft and airfield operations, customer and passenger services, safety and emergency services, skilled trades and facilities maintenance, the partners said.
Photo: Toronto Pearson.
Beginning in spring 2027, Toronto Pearson will bring the program into schools, combining classroom learning with hands-on experiences and exposure to aviation careers.
The program will be delivered through three pathways, Engage, Empower and Embed.
Engage will feature classroom presentations and career conversations, while Empower will provide workshop days focused on experiential learning and skills development. Embed will give students an opportunity to present solutions to real-world aviation and airport challenges.
Toronto Pearson supports a workforce of more than 52,000 people. The program aims to have 50% participation from equity-deserving communities, with a focus on students underrepresented in STEM fields, newcomers and youth from underserved communities.
Image: Ingenium.
The partners will begin co-developing the curriculum and learning experiences this fall, with the program continuing through spring 2028.
The Ingenium network comprises three national museums in Ottawa: the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum, the Canada Aviation and Space Museum and the Canada Science and Technology Museum.
