Author: Aviation News

The facility is on track to record its strongest year ever with increased traffic and infrastructure development. October 12, 2022 (All day) London Biggin Hill Airport—the UK capital’s number-two business aviation hub—has exhibited at NBAA-BACE for many years, using it to promote its offering to VIP aircraft owners and operators. Robert Walters, Biggin Hill’s commercial director, calls transatlantic flights “a relatively small but growing portion” of the traffic at Biggin Hill, but said they account for a “healthy share of long-range aircraft movements to the site.” Heavy investment in the airport—a former wartime airbase 18 kilometers (11.2 miles) from central London—has been a…

SEA Prime’s immediate expansion plans put infrastructure at the focus of development. October 13, 2022, 2:00 PM Milan, Italy-based SEA Prime’s FBO facilities at Linate and Malpensa airports saw a 42 percent year-over-year increase in business aircraft movements in the first eight months. This also represents 154 and 29 percent increases from the same periods in 2020 and 2019, respectively. “Last year, we saw more than 27,000 movements at the two airports combined and we expect to reach over 30,000 movements this year,” said SEA Prime CEO Chiara Dorigotti. The company operates these airports under its Milano Prime brand. “January to August is looking extremely…

UAS International Trip Support has seen positive growth in the travel industry despite rising costs in the U.S. economy. October 14, 2022, 10:00 AM While rising interest rates and real estate prices have had adverse effects on consumers in the U.S. economy, the business aviation travel industry continues to show positive growth, Mohammed Al Husary, co-owner, founder, and executive president of UAS International Trip Support (Booth 2085) told AIN on the eve of NBAA-BACE. “If there is pessimism, we’re not experiencing it in our interactions,” he said. “U.S. companies seem to be taking a cautious approach, and we don’t anticipate…

Business aircraft service provider Jetex aims to build the largest FBO network outside of the U.S. October 14, 2022, 11:40 AM International trip support provider Jetex (Booth 2151) aims to build the largest FBO network outside the U.S., founder and CEO, Adel Mardini, told AIN on the eve of NBAA-BACE 2022. The Dubai-based company now manages 38 FBOs and three international trip support centers worldwide. “I don’t intend to enter the U.S. market because it requires strong networking,” he said. “It’s a huge investment and at the moment our intention is clear: we want to limit our focus in the…

Over 16,000 women and girls around the world participated in the Eighth Annual Girls in Aviation Day on September 24. October 18, 2022, 12:01 PM More than 16,000 attendees participated in Women in Aviation International’s (WAI) Eighth Annual Girls in Aviation Day on September 24, with 120 events taking place at airports, museums, and FBOs in 19 countries around the world, WAI said on Monday at NBAA-BACE 2022.  Girls in Aviation Day is designed to inspire and educate girls ages eight to 17 about possible careers in aviation and aerospace. During the events, attendees have opportunities to meet female role models, listen…

Long Island’s East Hampton Airport will remain open without planned restrictions under a ruling by the State Supreme Court. October 26, 2022, 12:48 PM An October 19 ruling by New York State Supreme Court justice Paul Baisley prevents the town of East Hampton from temporarily closing its airport (KJPX) then reopening it as a private-use facility with prior permission required, according to NBAA. The ruling comes after a protracted attempt by the city to change the airport’s operational status, NBAA explained, “ostensibly to address community concerns over noise.” A previous temporary injunction had prevented the town from implementing the changes.…

Slots for bizjets into Doha during the FIFA World Cup cost $5,000, while penalties for failing to adhere to strict turnaround times will be up to $25,000. October 31, 2022, 7:39 AM The Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA) and business aircraft trip-support companies are warning business jet passengers and operators of the need to plan well in advance of the FIFA World Cup. According to trip support company UAS, around 1.2 million fans are expected to travel to Qatar to attend matches throughout the tournament, which starts in Doha on November 20 and runs to December 18. “Demand for private jets…

MEBAA’s founding and executive chairman, Ali Alnaqbi, has confirmed Hadid’s appointment. November 9, 2022, 12:10 PM Dubai, UAE-based trip support firm Hadid International Services (Stand 350) has officially joined the governing board of the Middle East Business Aviation Association (MEBAA). “Hadid is a business aviation pioneer in the Middle East, and represents something about the region,” commercial director Issa Zuriqi told AIN. “While we were not a founding member, we always wanted to be a board member.” MEBAA founding and executive chairman Ali Alnaqbi confirmed Hadid’s appointment. The association was established in 2006 and, although it was set up as…

Oklahoma’s Watonga Regional Airport reopened its 4,000 foot Runway 17/35, after it underwent a five-month-long reconstruction project. November 15, 2022, 11:09 AM Oklahoma’s Watonga Regional Airport (KJWG) held a ribbon-cutting ceremony today for the reopening of its 4,000-foot Runway 17/35 after it underwent a five-month-long reconstruction project, its first in more than a quarter-century. The $2.8 million pavement rehabilitation effort, funded entirely with FAA grants, also included the installation of LED runway edge lighting and an obstruction survey to develop new instrument approach procedures aimed at providing 24/7 access to the airport in all weather conditions. KJWG, which generates more than…

The Dutch HNLMS “Tromp,” which is the flagship of the Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1), and the French “Chevalier Paul” were both on patrol in the Baltic Sea on November 17, 2022, when they were approached by two Russian fighters. NATO said, “The Russian pilots did not answer the Allied forces’ standing query communications, and they flew over the force at 300 feet and 80 yards away.” “NATO thought the interaction was unsafe and unprofessional because it happened in a known danger zone that was being used for air defense training and because the planes were so close and…