Week 40 - Business Aviation Review
The week of September 21–27, 2026 delivered a mix of production milestones, airport access gains, connectivity upgrades, and notable regulatory news for business aviation operators.
Textron Aviation marked a decade of Citation Latitude success by rolling out the 500th aircraft from its Wichita facility. The midsize jet, which entered service in 2015, offers about 2,700 nautical miles of range and seating for up to nine passengers. It remains one of the segment’s consistent bestsellers.
Bombardier’s Global 8000 received UK Civil Aviation Authority approval to operate at London City Airport. The long-range jet, capable of 8,000 nautical miles and Mach 0.95, can now use the airport’s steep approach and short runway, giving operators a closer option to central London than Farnborough or Luton.
Connectivity improved for older fleets as Starlink received FAA supplemental type certificate approval for Hawker 700, 800, and 900-series aircraft. The kit, installable at Textron Aviation service centers, promises high-speed inflight internet with low latency. Garmin also gained approval for its Autoland system on the Pilatus PC-12 PRO, making the feature standard on the latest model.
On the regulatory side, the FAA moved to end long-standing single-pilot exemptions for eight transport-category Cessna Citation models after a safety review cited training and operational concerns. NBAA and the Citation Jet Pilots association raised questions about the timing and impact on owner-operators. Meanwhile, Global Jet Capital forecast $116.8 billion in pre-owned business jet transactions through 2030, with heavy jets expected to lead growth in North America and Latin America.
Leadership continuity at NBAA also featured, with Dan Hubbard stepping in as interim COO while CEO Ed Bolen takes medical leave ahead of NBAA-BACE in Las Vegas.
The week underscored both the sector’s production maturity and the ongoing balance between operational flexibility, safety rules, and infrastructure access that operators watch closely.
