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Long Beach Finalizes $60 Million Private Jet Campus Deal with Sky Harbour

Long Beach secures a $60M lease with Sky Harbour for a new private jet campus to enhance Southern California aviation facilities by 2028.

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Photo: Long Beach Local News

Long Beach Secures $60 Million Private Jet Campus with Sky Harbour

The City of Long Beach has finalized a significant, long-term agreement with Sky Harbour Group Corporation, an aviation infrastructure company, to develop a $60 million private jets campus at Long Beach Airport (LGB). This 50-year ground lease marks a pivotal investment in the region’s aviation future, aiming to address a critical shortage of private aircraft hangar space in Southern California. The project is poised to transform a 17-acre parcel of largely underutilized land on the west side of the airport into a state-of-the-art facility for business aviation. This move solidifies Long Beach’s position as a key hub for private and corporate travel, promising substantial economic benefits for the city and the surrounding communities.

The development is part of Sky Harbour’s broader national strategy to create a network of “Home Base Operator” (HBO) campuses. This model focuses on providing premium, dedicated hangar and office facilities for based tenants, a departure from traditional Fixed-Base Operators (FBOs) that often rely heavily on fuel sales. The Long Beach campus represents Sky Harbour’s 19th location in the United States and its third in California, signaling strong confidence in the region’s market. The project is not just about infrastructure; it’s a strategic move to recapture business that has been lost to other states due to a lack of adequate facilities.

With construction planned in phases and an expected completion by spring 2028, the campus is set to feature five large hangars, an open-air public restaurant, and modern amenities. This development is anticipated to generate hundreds of local jobs and inject significant revenue into the local economy. As the demand for private aviation continues to grow, this partnership between Long Beach and Sky Harbour is positioned to meet the needs of a burgeoning industry while fostering local economic growth.

Project Scope and Financials: A Deep Dive

The agreement outlines a comprehensive plan for the 17-acre site. The core of the $60 million project involves the construction of five hangars, each spanning approximately 43,000 square feet. These structures are designed to accommodate up to 25 ultra-long-range business jets, the larger, more modern aircraft that are increasingly in demand. Beyond simple storage, each hangar will be a self-contained unit featuring a lounge, storage areas, office facilities, and electric vehicle charging stations, catering to the high standards of corporate and private clients. A notable feature of the campus will be an open-air restaurant, which will be accessible to the general public, integrating the facility with the local community.

The financial structure of the 50-year ground lease is designed to provide escalating revenue for the city. Sky Harbour’s payments will begin at $29,778 per month in the first year, increasing to $48,389 in the second. Once construction is complete, the monthly lease payment will jump to $78,166, with a built-in 3% annual increase thereafter. This phased approach ensures a steady and growing income stream for Long Beach over the life of the lease, transforming a “largely vacant” piece of land, previously used for events and vehicle storage, into a productive, revenue-generating asset.

The land itself is currently used for events like the annual Festival of Flight and for vehicle storage by Mercedes-Benz. Councilmember Megan Kerr expressed satisfaction that this underutilized parcel would finally be developed. The project’s timeline, with a completion goal of spring 2028, reflects a multi-phase construction process designed to bring the campus online efficiently while managing the complexities of airport development.

“This agreement underscores Long Beach as an important hub for business aviation, which brings investment, jobs, and revenue directly into the City and communities throughout our region.” — Cynthia Guidry, Long Beach Airport Director

Economic Impact and Industry Context

Proponents of the deal emphasize the significant economic benefits it promises for Long Beach and the wider Southern California region. The project is expected to create or sustain hundreds of local jobs, spanning construction, aviation services, and hospitality. This aligns with the broader impact of the business aviation industry, which supports over 1.2 million jobs in the U.S. and contributes an estimated $247 billion in economic output. By providing high-quality infrastructure, Long Beach aims to attract and retain a larger share of this lucrative market.

A key driver for this development is the pronounced national shortage of hangar space, particularly for the larger jets favored by corporate clients. Eric Stolpman, Senior Vice President with Sky Harbour, noted that this scarcity has forced many Southern California-based aircraft owners to house their jets in other states like Arizona, Nevada, and Utah. This “re-basing” of aircraft back to where their owners live is a central goal of the project. It allows the local economy to capture fees, taxes, and other spending that would otherwise be lost. Stolpman identified Long Beach as the “future growth spot” for business aviation in the entire Southern California area.

While the economic upside is clear, it is also important to consider the broader context of the private aviation industry. The sector has seen substantial growth, with the number of private jets more than doubling since 2007. However, this growth comes with environmental considerations, as private jet travel is the most energy-intensive form of transportation per passenger. Critics also point to discussions around taxation, arguing that private aviation contributes a relatively small percentage of the taxes that fund the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) despite its significant use of the airspace and publicly funded airports.

Conclusion: A Strategic Investment in Aviation’s Future

The partnership between the City of Long Beach and Sky Harbour represents a forward-looking strategy to capitalize on the sustained growth of business aviation. By transforming an underused plot of land into a premier private jet campus, the city is not only addressing a clear market demand but also creating a durable source of revenue and employment for decades to come. The $60 million investment is a calculated move to position Long Beach Airport as a critical node in the national private aviation network, attracting high-value clients and stimulating the regional economy.

As the project moves toward its 2028 completion, it will serve as a case study in public-private partnerships for airport infrastructure development. The success of the campus will hinge on its ability to deliver the premium, efficient service promised by Sky Harbour’s unique HBO model. While the broader conversations around the environmental and tax equity aspects of private aviation will undoubtedly continue, this development in Long Beach stands as a firm bet on the industry’s continued importance as a driver of business and economic growth.

FAQ

Question: What is the total cost of the Sky Harbour project at Long Beach Airport?
Answer: The project is valued at $60 million.

Question: How long is the lease agreement between Long Beach and Sky Harbour?
Answer: The City of Long Beach approved a 50-year ground lease with Sky Harbour.

Question: What will the new campus include?
Answer: The campus will feature five large aircraft hangars designed to hold up to 25 ultra-long-range business jets, office space, lounges, EV charging stations, and an open-air restaurant that will be open to the public.

Question: When is the project expected to be completed?
Answer: The construction will be done in several phases and is expected to be finished by the spring of 2028.

Sources: Long Beach Post

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Business Aviation

Airbus Corporate Helicopters Debuts ACH Line Interior on the ACH130

ACH has introduced its ACH Line cabin on the ACH130, a layout first shown on the ACH140 concept, with Air Delta as launch customer.

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Airbus Corporate Helicopters Debuts ACH Line Interior on the ACH130
Photo: Airbus Corporate Helicopters

Airbus Corporate Helicopters (ACH) has introduced its new ACH Line cabin design on the ACH130 fleet, the official operational debut of a layout first shown as a cabin concept for the ACH140 at Verticon. ACH unveiled the interior at an event in Sappada, in the Italian Alps, where the launch customer’s representative viewed it during demonstration flights over the Dolomites.

In a press release dated November 12, 2026, from Trento, Italy, ACH said the design combines improved cabin ergonomics, operational flexibility and better travel features for corporate and private operators worldwide. The company says the layout sets a new standard for style and function across the ACH range.

Who built the ACH130 Line cabin

Airbus Helicopters in Italy led the engineering and certification work for the new interior. It partnered with two interior specialists, F/LIST and Maison Borghino, on the precision and cabin outfitting of the aircraft.

Nicolas Boltoukhine, Head of ACH, said the new ACH Line look and feel will, “for the first time, offer a visual consistency across our entire range.” He explained that this gives all ACH Line aircraft the ACH brand’s look and a standard level of quality and comfort across all ACH types.

The launch customer was represented at the Sappada event by Maicol La Regina, CEO of Air Delta. ACH did not disclose how many ACH130 aircraft Air Delta has ordered or when deliveries with the new interior begin.

From the ACH140 concept to the ACH130 fleet

The ACH Line design language first appeared on the ACH140, which F/LIST describes as the newest aircraft in the ACH line, unveiled at Verticon 2026 for private and business aviation customers. AirPro News covered the ACH140 launch at Verticon 2026 at the time.

F/LIST, a family business headquartered in Thomasberg, Austria, with around 1,250 employees worldwide, builds interiors for business and private jets, yachts and luxury residences. In a press release dated March 9, 2026, it said it designed and manufactured a custom-made cabinet for the ACH140 cabin, with a silk-matt black lacquer body, matt carbon drawer fronts, two cup holders, two storage compartments with leather-covered flaps and holders for an iPhone and an iPad.

According to F/LIST, the ACH Line interior concept was developed in close collaboration with Airbus and supports the new design language with elongated lines and ergonomic elements. F/LIST said customers can choose from a range of materials for color, material and finish, and that series production parts are expected to use a monocoque construction method with autoclave technology.

The ACH130 release does not say whether the ACH130 cabin uses the same cabinet or materials as the ACH140 cabin concept shown at Verticon.

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THC Firms Up Bombardier Order for 12 Jets With 48 Options

The Helicopter Company signed firm agreements for 12 Bombardier jets worth about US$568 million at list prices, with options for 48 more.

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THC Firms Up Bombardier Order for 12 Jets With 48 Options
Photo: Bombardier

The Helicopter Company (THC) has converted its July 2026 letter of intent with Bombardier into binding fleet purchase agreements for up to 60 business jets, including a firm order for 12 aircraft valued at about US$568 million at 2026 list prices. Bombardier and THC announced the agreements in Montreal on November 13, 2026.

The firm order covers five Challenger 3500, five Global 5500 and two Global 8000 aircraft, with options for 48 more. In its press release, Bombardier said the exercise of those options “would be at the discretion of the client.” The companies describe the agreement as the largest transaction of its kind in Saudi Arabia, and it marks THC’s entry into business aviation.

From a Farnborough letter of intent to a firm order

THC and Bombardier first signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) at the Farnborough International Airshow in the United Kingdom, which AirPro News reported as THC’s Bombardier letter of intent. According to the Public Investment Fund (PIF), which owns THC, the LOI pointed to a firm order for 12 aircraft, five Challenger 3500s, five Global 5500s and two Global 8000s, with purchase options for 48 more jets of the same models.

The November agreements keep that mix unchanged. The new release puts a value on the firm portion, about US$568 million at 2026 list prices, and states that the 48 options are at THC’s discretion. The release does not give a delivery schedule for the 12 firm aircraft.

PIF said the July signing was attended by Captain Arnaud Martinez, CEO of THC, Muhammad Ovais Yousuf, Head of Aviation & Security for PIF’s MENA Investments Division, and Bombardier leaders including CEO Éric Martel and Chairman Pierre Beaudoin.

THC’s move from helicopters to business jets

THC was established as part of PIF’s strategy to open new sectors in Saudi Arabia in support of Vision 2030, according to the company profile in the release. PIF describes THC as a PIF company founded in 2018. THC has operated since mid-2019, describes itself as the Kingdom’s leading commercial helicopter operator, and has more than 60 aircraft serving emergency medical services (EMS), aerial work, private charters and tourism.

When THC announced its business aviation launch at Farnborough, PIF said the company would move into chartering and managing business jets. PIF said the business jet segment targets Saudi and regional demand, with the aim of becoming the region’s leading business aviation operator and the preferred national carrier for private charters. The new release says the Bombardier order extends THC’s services to meet growing demand for premium business travel within Saudi Arabia and across the region.

THC sits within PIF’s Tourism, Travel & Entertainment ecosystem. PIF also launched the national airline Riyadh Air and owns the aircraft leasing company Avilease.

“This transaction marks THC’s entry into business aviation,” Martinez said in the release. He described it as the next step in building an integrated aviation operator for the Kingdom, and said demand for business aviation services in Saudi Arabia and the wider region continues to grow. He added that THC looks forward to bringing the aircraft into service as it continues to support the development of the Kingdom’s aviation sector under Vision 2030.

Martel called THC’s decision to move forward with the fleet purchase agreements “a meaningful vote of confidence in what our teams deliver every day.” He said Bombardier looks forward to supporting THC as it prepares to launch its business aircraft fleet.

The three Bombardier types in the order

In its account of the LOI, PIF said the planned fleet would span super-midsize, long-range and ultra-long-range jets. The Challenger 3500 carries up to nine passengers and has a range of 3,400 nautical miles (6,297 km). Bombardier says the type suits missions within the Gulf Cooperation Council region and has the lowest direct operating costs in its class.

The Global 5500 seats up to 16 passengers across three living zones and has a range of 5,900 nautical miles (10,927 km), which Bombardier describes as the longest in its category. The Global 8000, Bombardier’s flagship ultra-long-range jet, has a range of 8,000 nautical miles (14,816 km) and four cabin zones. Bombardier says it can fly nonstop between city pairs such as Riyadh and Los Angeles, and that its leading-edge slats allow it to land at up to 30% more airports than its closest rival.

Bombardier’s investment commitment in Saudi Arabia

As part of the partnership, Bombardier said it has committed to a long-term strategic investment that includes a local footprint in Saudi Arabia. The release does not say what form that footprint will take or when it will be in place. At the July signing, Martel said Bombardier planned local investments dedicated to supporting THC’s operations, according to PIF.

Bombardier says its customers operate a fleet of approximately 5,300 aircraft, supported by 10 service facilities across six countries. Its jets are manufactured in aerostructure, assembly and completion facilities in Canada, the United States and Mexico.

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Atelier Aviation to Reassume Full Ownership of Fly Alliance

Atelier Aviation plans to reassume full ownership of Fly Alliance, Inc., keep eight of its 13 aircraft and rename the operator Atelier.

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Atelier Aviation to Reassume Full Ownership of Fly Alliance
Photo: Fly Alliance

Atelier Aviation, LLC, a Cove Capital Investments company, said it is preparing to reassume full ownership of Fly Alliance, Inc., the Part 135 certificate holder currently operating 13 aircraft. Eight of those aircraft will stay in service and five are being offered for sale, and, following regulatory approval, the operator will change its name to Atelier.

The announcement, distributed through Business Wire on November 9, 2026, with an Orlando, Florida, dateline, places the charter operator inside a Cove Capital group that also includes the parts company Altitude Parts, the Part 135 operator Sky Travel Solutions and Atelier Maintenance. According to the release, the combined group will employ more than 100 people and generate approximately $150 million in annual revenue.

Which aircraft stay and which go

The release lists the eight aircraft that will remain in active service: one Hawker 900XP, two Cessna Citation XLS+, four Gulfstream G-IVSPs and one Gulfstream G-V. The remaining five, two Citation Excels, two Citation Latitudes and one G-IVSP, are being offered for sale.

“With this transition, more than 40 pilots, 15 technicians and 15 support professionals have joined our organization,” the release states. Going forward, it says, the group will focus on aircraft sales, aircraft management, charter operations, parts and maintenance. The release says the group will provide the financial backing to keep the fleet in top condition and emphasizes reliability and long-term partnerships.

The release does not disclose financial terms or a timeline for the regulatory approval. It lists Kevin Wargo, Chief Executive Officer, as its media contact. Atelier Aviation’s website gives an address in Kissimmee, Florida, and lists three services: aircraft management, private charter and maintenance.

How the Cove Capital group came together

Cove Capital Investments, LLC was founded in September 2025 by Kevin Wargo and Samantha Nunez, according to an Altitude Parts release dated August 26, 2026. In that announcement, Altitude Parts said it had acquired Fly Alliance’s aircraft parts inventory and warehouse operations. Operating from its Orlando, Florida, facility, the company said it then held more than $150 million in assets, including inventory from 156 disassembly aircraft and more than 42,000 individual aircraft parts.

The same release said Manny Perez had been promoted to President and Partner of Altitude Parts, leading sales, operations, warehouse and logistics teams that support more than $60 million in annual sales. Wargo, then described as co-founder of Cove Capital Investments, called the parts deal “an important step in our vision for Altitude Parts.” The November release describes Altitude Parts as “an $80 million aircraft parts company.”

Cove Capital is also selling aircraft. On October 6, 2026, Sky Travel and its parent, Cove Capital, said they planned to bring nearly 20 business aircraft to market in the fourth quarter, a plan covered in Sky Travel’s Q4 listing of business jets. The expected inventory included the Cessna Citation Excel, Hawker 400XP, Learjet 75, Gulfstream G200, Gulfstream GIV-SP, Gulfstream GV and Bombardier Global Express. The November release says Cove Capital currently has over 20 aircraft listed for sale, ranging from light jets to large-cabin, long-range business aircraft, and describes Sky Travel Solutions as a Part 135 operator with 11 Hawker 400XP aircraft.

Fly Alliance’s leadership change in July

Fly Alliance, founded in 2019 and headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island, and Orlando, Florida, describes itself as a full-service private aviation company. A Fly Alliance release from January 19, 2026, identified Wargo as its CEO. In June 2026, Fly Alliance announced the expansion of its Fly Alliance Maintenance Partners franchise, an initiative that the release said combined the aviation leadership experience of Wargo, then described as co-founder, with the franchising expertise of entrepreneur Eddie Trujillo.

On July 7, 2026, Fly Alliance announced that Christopher Tasca had become Chief Executive Officer effective July 1, 2026, and that Wargo had moved to the company’s Advisory Board. That release also reported the completion of a significant institutional investment and a strategic banking partnership. Tasca said in the release that Wargo’s “vision and leadership was instrumental in building the strong foundation Fly Alliance enjoys today.”

The July release listed Fly Alliance’s core business units as private charter, aircraft management, maintenance, aircraft sales, aircraft parts and ownership solutions. The November announcement concerns Fly Alliance, Inc., the Part 135 certificate holder, and does not address the other business units named in July.

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