The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) reported global sales of 730 new private business jets in 2023. An increase from the 712 new jets sold in 2022. Sales of piston and turboprop airplanes also increased by an even larger percentage, as did sales of new helicopters. Overall new aircraft deliveries were valued at $27.8 billion, an increase of 3.6%.
Across the other sectors, new piston airplane deliveries increased by 11.8%, to 1,682 units; turboprop airplane deliveries increased by 9.6%, to 638 units and total helicopter deliveries increased by 9.8% to 962 units. “For the first time in more than a decade, the general aviation manufacturing industry has eclipsed 4,000 aircraft delivered. In addition to this strong showing, there are robust and growing order backlogs for all segments of aircraft.” said Pete Bunce, GAMA President and CEO, and added, “While the deliveries from 2023 are very encouraging, our industry faces headwinds from ongoing supply chain issues, workforce shortages, uncertainty and unpredictability from global regulators, and short-sighted efforts aimed at curbing business and general aviation, particularly in Europe.”.
Textron Aviation (Cessna) led the market in terms of the number of new jets sold in 2023, and the best-selling turboprop was again the Pilatus PC-12.
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PJ
FOUR SEASONS CELEBRATES CONTINUED LEADERSHIP IN FORBES TRAVEL GUIDE FIVE-STAR AWARDS
Luxury hospitality brand dominates for ninth consecutive year with the most Five Stars of any company globally
Building on its steadfast position leading the luxury hospitality industry, Four Seasons continues to hold the most Forbes Travel Guide Five-Stars of any company worldwide. With a total of 66 Five-Star designations awarded to 45 Four Seasons hotels, 15 spas, and 6 restaurants across its global portfolio, the company is building on its legacy of strength while embarking on its next chapter of growth and continued service excellence.
“I’m incredibly proud to celebrate Four Seasons achievements in this year’s Forbes Travel Guide Awards, a recognition that reaffirms our industry leadership and motivates us on our ambitious path forward as we build from strength to strength,” says Alejandro Reynal, President and Chief Executive Officer, Four Seasons. “This achievement would not be possible without the dedication of our teams around the globe and their commitment to delivering genuine care and personalized service, which is at the heart of the Four Seasons experience and the key to our success.”
For nine consecutive years, Four Seasons has maintained its undisputed leadership in the Forbes Travel Guide Awards, this year welcoming the urban beachfront retreat Four Seasons Hotel Doha as the latest property to achieve the coveted Five-Star status. This year also marks exceptional milestones for Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach, Four Seasons Hotel Boston, and Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, which each celebrate more than 20 impressive years of maintaining their Five-Stars.
Four Seasons renowned legacy of unscripted care, spectacular craftsmanship and personalized service is brought to life each day by more than 50,000 employees worldwide. The fourth annual Employee of the Year Awards by Forbes Travel Guide honours the remarkable staff who displayed standout performance towards not only guests but to their fellow coworkers as well. This year, Kerson Francois, Engineer at Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach, was recognized as a finalist for Forbes Travel Guide’s Employee of the Year.
“Our longstanding leadership in the Forbes Travel Guide Awards is a direct reflection of Four Seasons unwavering commitment to raising the bar, elevating our product, and providing outstanding service to consistently meet the evolving needs of today’s luxury traveller,” says Rainer Stampfer, President, Global Operations, Hotels and Resorts, Four Seasons. “A heartfelt congratulations to Kerson Francois, and all Four Seasons teams around the globe who are celebrating their achievements and this exceptional industry recognition. We look forward to many more years of success as we continue to grow, with an exciting future ahead.”
“The results from Four Seasons in the annual Forbes Travel Guide Star Awards is a testament to the dynamism and excellence of its hotels, resorts, restaurants, and spas around the world, and its ability to deliver the very highest standards of service across every touchpoint,” says Amanda Frasier, President, Ratings, Forbes Travel Guide. “I am pleased to congratulate the teams across the globe for a ninth year of well-deserved success and ongoing leadership in these awards.”
In addition to success in the annual Forbes Travel Guide Star Awards, Four Seasons is growing with intention and solidifying its steadfast commitment to excellence. With a vision to be the most aspirational luxury hospitality and residential brand through genuine and unparalleled service experiences, the company is enhancing and growing its core business of hotels and resorts, expanding its residential portfolio, harnessing the strength of immersive luxury experiences across Four Seasons Jet, Drive, and upcoming Yacht journeys, and showcasing decades of gastronomic excellence across more than 600 original-concept culinary experiences for all to enjoy.
The 45 Four Seasons properties that hold a Five-Star Rating are:
- Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island
- Four Seasons Hotel Amman
- Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens
- Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club
- Four Seasons Hotel Boston
- Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues Geneva
- Four Seasons Hotel Doha
- Four Seasons Hotel Dubai International Financial Centre
- Four Seasons Hotel Firenze
- Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris
- Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest
- Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong
- Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet
- Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus
- Four Seasons Hotel Kuwait at Burj Alshaya
- Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane
- Four Seasons Hotel London at Ten Trinity Square
- Four Seasons Hotel Macao, Cotai Strip
- Four Seasons Hotel Madrid
- Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown
- Four Seasons Hotel One Dalton Street, Boston
- Four Seasons Hotel Prague
- Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon
- Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh at Kingdom Centre
- Four Seasons Hotel Seoul
- Four Seasons Hotel Toronto
- Four Seasons Hotel Washington, DC
- Four Seasons Resort and Residences Anguilla
- Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole
- Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley
- Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay
- Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan
- Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach
- Four Seasons Resort Hualalai
- Four Seasons Resort Lanai
- Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa
- Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru
- Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea
- Four Seasons Resort Mauritius at Anahita
- Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach
- Four Seasons Resort Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica
- Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, Mexico
- Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai, Hoi An
- Grand Suites at Four Seasons Hotel Macao, Cotai Strip
- Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, A Four Seasons Hotel
The 15 Four Seasons spas that hold a Five-Star Rating are:
- The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong
- The Spa at Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel
- Palm Beach Spa at Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach
- Ritz Spa at Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon
- Guerlain Spa at Four Seasons Hotel Montreal
- The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club
- Spa Mont Blanc at Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues Geneva
- The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel Macao, Cotai Strip
- The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown
- The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel Toronto
- The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas
- Spa at Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center
- The Wellness Floor at One Dalton Street, Boston
- Spa and Wellness Centre at Four Seasons Hotel Kuwait Burj Alshaya
- The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel Madrid
The 6 Four Seasons restaurants that hold a Five-Star Rating are:
- Lung King Heen, Hong Kong
- Caprice, Hong Kong
- Sushi Saito, Hong Kong
- Tempura Uchitsu, Hong Kong
- Zi Yat Heen, Macau
- Jean-Georges Philadelphia
To view a complete list of Four Seasons awards and accolades, click here.
Methodology
Star ratings are awarded by a team of anonymous professional inspectors who travel the world to assess hotels, restaurants, spas and ocean cruise ships based on up to 900 objective standards. Star ratings ultimately emphasize quality of service. Five-star properties are defined as “outstanding, often iconic properties with virtually flawless service and amazing facilities.”
About Forbes Travel Guide
Forbes Travel Guide is the only global rating system for luxury hotels, restaurants, spas and ocean cruise ships. Anonymous professional inspectors evaluate based on up to 900 objective standards, with an emphasis on exceptional service, to help discerning travellers select the world’s best luxury experiences. The only way to get a Five-Star, Four-Star or Recommended rating is by earning it through this independent inspection process.
Bombardier’s Proven Global 7500 Makes Debut at Singapore Airshow, Smoothest-flying Ultra-Long-Range Business Jet
- With more than 150 aircraft delivered to date, the Global 7500 aircraft is business aviation’s most reliable, luxurious, and productive home office in the sky
- The Global 7500 jet boasts an unrivaled cabin, and signature smooth ride and is the largest and longest-range business aircraft certified and in service
- In the past six months, the Global 7500 aircraft has built upon its long list of awards and has flown multiple record-breaking missions, showcasing its unmatched performance attributes
Bombardier today announced it is bringing its industry-defining Global 7500 aircraft to the Singapore Airshow Feb. 20-25, making its debut at this important industry event. Truly in a class of its own, the Global 7500 aircraft has transformed business aviation with its refined design, unsurpassed performance, and outstanding technological advancements.
The ultra-long-range Global 7500 aircraft has proven to be the highest-performing purpose-built business jet in the world. Holding the title of the longest-range flight in business aviation of over 8,225 nautical miles, Bombardier has delivered more than 150 aircraft, highlighting its high reliability and in-demand attributes. With a fleet dispatch reliability of more than 99.8% through well over 100,000 flight hours, unsurpassed performance, outstanding technological advancements, cutting-edge sustainability attributes, and luxurious, exceptional cabins for maximum productivity and comfort, the Global 7500 is in a class of its own.
“Bombardier leads the way in the development of cutting-edge, industry-defining aircraft and our Global 7500 aircraft embodies all of our outstanding craftsmanship, innovation, and performance attributes that set it apart from the competition,” said Jean-Christophe Gallagher, Executive Vice President, Aircraft Sales, and Bombardier Defense. “The Global 7500 aircraft is the perfect choice for our Asia-Pacific customers seeking the finest business jet for long-distance travel. It is also a capable option for specialized and defense clients who need a reliable workhorse for a variety of missions.”
The Global 7500 jet packs a punch when it comes to performance. It boasts a top speed of Mach 0.925 and a range of 7,700 nautical miles (14,260 km), enabling it to have the capacity to set numerous speed and distance records. Recently, the Global 7500 aircraft set multiple speed records, showcasing its impressive performance attributes.* These accomplishments build on earlier speed and distance records, including the fastest flight from Los Angeles to New York and New York to London, as well as the longest-ever flight out of London City Airport.
The Global 7500 aircraft also enables several key long-distance pairs from Singapore, including Singapore to San Francisco, and Singapore to London, along with other key long-distance routes in the Asia-Pacific region such as Hong Kong to New York, Tokyo to New York, and Melbourne to Los Angeles.
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Bombardier shipments continue to grow
Bombardier reported that revenues climbed by 16 percent year-over-year in 2023, topping $8 billion, as it scaled deliveries to 138 Challenger and Global business jets. The aircraft manufacturer expects deliveries to take another step up to between 150 and 155 in 2024, returning to levels not seen since 2016.
This year, most of that growth is expected to come from its super-midsize Challenger 3500s, with Global deliveries remaining stable.
Bombardier president and CEO Éric Martel:
“While we have everything in place to achieve our objective, I want to highlight that our delivery profile for the year is largely set by the pace at which we receive parts from our supplier. We are in an environment where we continue to play the cards we are dealt versus planning an ideal production schedule.”
Martel is optimistic about solid sales continuing this year, despite headwinds involving conflicts in the Middle East and Eastern Europe. “We do foresee quite a bit of activity right now on all of our platforms. Looking at our prospect list and people we’ve talked to, [activity] has remained strong.” Customers are not disappearing, he said, but added that they may be taking more time.
In 2023, deliveries were up by 15 units on the year, with Challenger shipments increasing by 13, to 63, and Globals by five, to 75. However, 2022 totals also included three shipments from the now-discontinued Learjet line. Bombardier handed over 32 Globals in the last quarter, compared with 29 a year earlier, and 24 Challengers, compared with 20 a year earlier.
The rise in Global deliveries in 2025 coincides with planned market entry to the Global 7500 and Global 8000. Martel said the development has remained on track for certification and initial deliveries next year. “We are flying the airplane a lot,” he said. While the aircraft has generated substantial interest from customers, Bombardier is offering a retrofit option for the 7500, which he said is keeping activity solid on that aircraft even as the new version is in the wings.
Meanwhile, thanks to the significant investments in the service center space, the company continued to expand its aftermarket revenues and market share. Aftermarket brought in $1.75 billion, up 16 percent from a year earlier and 75 percent since 2020. Bombardier anticipates this to continue to grow as it works toward its goal of $2 billion in aftermarket in 2025.
NetJets will be the launch fleet customer for the Bombardier Global 8000, and the company has placed an order for an additional four aircraft, bringing the total orders for the fractional ownership pioneer to 24 aircraft. Those 24 orders include eight Global 7500s that will be upgraded to the Global 8000 in addition to the 12 previously on order. The new aircraft is expected to enter service in early 2025, and has a list price of $78 million per aircraft. Bombardier has planned a Supplemental Type Certificate program to upgrade existing Global 7500 models to the Global 8000 specifications shortly after entry into service.
PJE
GULFSTREAM G800 MAKES CONTINENTAL DEBUT
Long-Range Leader Connects the US and Geneva Using Sustainable Aviation Fuel
SAVANNAH, Ga., May 21, 2023 — Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. today announced the all-new ultralong-range Gulfstream G800 has made its Continental debut, arriving in Geneva for the 2023 European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE2023).
The aircraft, the first G800 flight test article, flew from Savannah to Geneva on a blend of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from Gulfstream’s dedicated supply. To date, all G800 test flights originating from Gulfstream’s Savannah headquarters have flown on an SAF blend.
Powered by high-thrust Rolls-Royce Pearl 700 engines and the Gulfstream-designed wing and winglet, the G800 features enhanced fuel-efficiency and can fly 8,000 nautical miles/14,816 kilometers at Mach 0.85 and 7,000 nm/12,964 km at Mach 0.90. The G800 also features the Gulfstream Symmetry Flight Deck with active control sidesticks and the most extensive use of touch-screen technology in the industry.
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Luxembourg / Paris – Luxaviation Group, one of the largest business aircraft and helicopter operators worldwide headquartered in Luxembourg, is pleased to announce that ExecuJet France, part of Luxaviation Group, has received fully electric ground handling equipment (GHE) at their FBO in Paris Le Bourget Airport, making it the first ExecuJet FBO with fully electric owned GHE in Europe.
The milestone comes as a move in Luxaviation Group’s target to achieve 100% of GHE electrification in their FBOs by 2030. At their Paris FBO, the list of GHE that are fully electric includes ground power units, mototok, air stairs, luggage truck, toilet service, pushback tug, and a portable water truck. It follows their FBOs in Auckland, Melbourne, and Sydney, and sets a precedent for the rest of ExecuJet FBOs, whose combined efforts have achieved almost 60% of the target.
Patrick Hansen, CEO of Luxaviation Group, states: “We are very happy to have achieved this milestone, which contributes to our mission to provide outstanding and more sustainable business air travel experiences by fully electrifying our FBOs by 2030.”
Caroline Demsar, Deputy CEO of Luxaviation France, states: “I’d like to extend a personal thank you to the team in ExecuJet Paris for achieving this milestone and becoming our first fully electric European FBO.”
ExecuJet is committed to delivering excellent, state-of-the-art service to its customers while continuously innovating and striving to mitigate the environmental impact of air travel. Luxaviation Group’s 2030 electrification objective aims to align the Group with the sector’s climate change goals to ensure environmental responsibility in business aviation.
VIP TRAVEL CARDS
The private aviation industry is known for exclusivity, luxury and exceptional service. Behind the scenes, however, the businesses responsible for delivering this experience are often faced with time-consuming administrative tasks, complex operations and unnecessary costs.
Through the power of artificial intelligence (AI), the cost management platform MySky, is seeking to change this. MySky’s technology enables operators to streamline processes and work smarter, not harder – empowering them with the time and resources to provide an exceptional service.
We caught up with MySky’s co-founder and CSO, Christopher Marich, to learn about their key areas of focus for supporting the business aviation industry.
Why is embracing AI important to business aviation?
AI can be a daunting prospect for those who aren’t used to it, however, the benefits it can bring to a business can’t be ignored. Through AI, businesses can be more efficient and create a better service for their customers – this is at the heart of what we offer at MySky.
It’s incredibly important for all those in the business aviation world to have a complete understanding of the costs associated with every flight to enable confident decision-making. By having genuine insight into their operations, businesses can benefit from more efficient resource allocation and strategic financial planning, which ultimately drives profitability.
Read HERE the full interview
Private Jets Europe is a leading provider of private jet charter services, offering access to exclusive aircraft and personalized travel solutions. The company has established itself as a trusted partner for clients seeking luxury and convenience in air travel. In this interview, we speak with Cristian Octavian Frăsin, CEO and Founder of Private Jets Europe, about his journey in the industry, and the company’s commitment to providing exceptional service to its clients.
Luxury Lifestyle Awards: What inspired you to start Private Jets Europe, and how has the company evolved since then?
Cristian Octavian Frăsin: When we started our business in 2008, we noticed a significant gap in the market for these types of services. Recognizing it as a promising business opportunity, we embarked on a journey to set new standards and surpass expectations in the realm of luxury and corporate private jet charter services. We take great pride in providing a diverse range of professional services, with the utmost emphasis on the health, safety, and comfort of our esteemed clients.
LLA: How do you ensure the safety and security of your clients when they fly with Private Jets Europe?
CF: As I always like to say, safety is our number one priority. We exclusively work with accredited operators, who are the best in the business, and we have access to the latest aircraft types.Especially during the Covid period and in its aftermath, we have implemented strict health and safety guidelines. Chartered flight providers are even more stringent than commercial flights, partly due to the lower number of passengers, which makes it easier to keep track of everyone. Furthermore, private passengers rightfully expect top-quality service, as they have paid for a safe and secure travel experience. It’s important to note that those travelling on commercial flights typically come into contact with around 700 objects and people, on average. In contrast, private flying exposes you to only about 30 contact points.
Read the full interview here
