Business Aviation
Baker Aviation Acquires 20 Challenger 300 Jets from Flexjet in Fleet Boost
Baker Aviation expands its fleet with 20 Challenger 300 jets purchased from Flexjet, enhancing its wholesale charter capacity through 2026.
This article summarizes reporting by Corporate Jet Investor.
Baker Aviation Acquires 20 Challenger 300 Jets from Flexjet in Major Fleet Expansion
Fort Worth-based charter operator Baker Aviation has finalized a significant acquisition of 20 Bombardier Challenger 300 aircraft from fractional ownership giant Flexjet. According to reporting by Corporate Jet Investor, the transaction marks a pivotal expansion for Baker Aviation, shifting its operational scale within the wholesale charter market.
The deal, brokered by West Elk Aviation, involves the transfer of super-midsize jets that will nearly double Baker Aviation’s current fleet. While Flexjet divests these assets to make way for newer models, Baker Aviation intends to utilize the aircraft to serve its exclusive base of wholesale clients, including charter brokers and jet card providers.
Transaction Details and Timeline
The acquisition closed in late November 2025, with immediate operational changes already underway. According to data compiled in industry reports, the first two Challenger 300s were delivered upon closing, with two additional units expected to arrive by mid-December 2025. The remaining 16 aircraft are scheduled to be phased into Baker’s fleet throughout 2026.
While the specific financial terms of the deal remain undisclosed, market analysis suggests a substantial valuation. Pre-owned Challenger 300s typically trade between $9.5 million and $13.25 million per unit. Based on these figures, the total asset value is estimated to range between $180 million and $220 million, though a bulk purchase of this magnitude likely involved negotiated pricing.
Strategic Shift for Baker Aviation
Baker Aviation operates on a 100% wholesale business model, meaning it does not sell directly to retail passengers. Instead, it provides “supplemental lift” to other operators and brokers. Before this acquisition, the company’s fleet was anchored by 21 Cessna Citation X aircraft, renowned for their speed.
With the integration of the Challenger 300s, Baker Aviation CEO Tim Livingston projects the company will operate over 40 super-midsize aircraft by the end of 2026. In a statement regarding the acquisition, Livingston highlighted the importance of the deal:
“This is a defining moment for Baker Aviation. The Challenger 300 is a proven performer, and bringing these additional aircraft into our existing fleet… allows us to offer even greater reliability, flexibility, and premium service to charter brokers.”
Tim Livingston, CEO of Baker Aviation
Flexjet’s Modernization Strategy
For the seller, Flexjet, this divestiture aligns with an aggressive fleet modernization program. The fractional operator is currently accepting deliveries from a $7 billion order with Embraer for Praetor 500 and 600 jets, alongside new Bombardier Challenger 3500s. By selling the older Challenger 300s to a reputable operator like Baker, Flexjet ensures the aircraft remain active in the aviation ecosystem rather than being parked or scrapped.
Mike Silvestro, CEO of Flexjet, noted the mutual benefits of the transaction:
“This partnership with Baker Aviation allows these Challenger 300s to remain a productive part of the private aviation ecosystem, supporting our long-term fleet strategy and the broader demand for premium midsize aircraft.”
Mike Silvestro, CEO of Flexjet
Aircraft Profile: The Challenger 300
The Bombardier Challenger 300 is widely regarded as a “workhorse” in the super-midsize category. It offers a transcontinental range of approximately 3,100 nautical miles, capable of flying non-stop from New York to Los Angeles. The aircraft typically seats 8 to 10 passengers and features a stand-up cabin height of 6 feet 1 inch.
Troy Lawson, a Partner at West Elk Aviation who advised on the deal, described the arrangement as a “prime example of aligning the needs of multiple stakeholders to create lasting value.”
AirPro News Analysis
The Rise of the Wholesale Fleet
This acquisition underscores a growing trend in business aviation: the consolidation of the wholesale market. As retail brokers and jet card companies sell record numbers of flight hours, they increasingly rely on dedicated wholesale operators to fulfill that demand. By acquiring a standardized block of 20 identical aircraft, Baker Aviation gains significant operational efficiencies in pilot training, maintenance, and parts sourcing, economies of scale that are difficult to achieve with a mixed fleet.
Furthermore, this deal illustrates the health of the secondary market. Rather than these assets fragmenting into individual ownership, they are being retained as a cohesive commercial fleet, ensuring that capacity remains available to the broader US charter market.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a wholesale charter operator?
A wholesale operator like Baker Aviation does not sell flights directly to the public. They sell flight hours to other brokers, operators, or jet card companies who need aircraft to fulfill their customers’ trips.
How many aircraft does Baker Aviation have?
Prior to this deal, the fleet consisted primarily of 21 Cessna Citation X jets. With the 20 Challenger 300s being delivered through 2026, the fleet is projected to exceed 40 super-midsize aircraft.
Who brokered the deal?
The transaction was advised by West Elk Aviation, led by Partner Troy Lawson.
Sources
Photo Credit: Bombardier
Business Aviation
COMAC Business Jet Enters Service with Deer Jet in China
COMAC and Deer Jet launched the first commercial CBJ charter flight on June 22, 2026, marking China’s first domestic VIP aircraft in service.
On June 22, 2026, the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) and Deer Jet launched the first commercial charter flight of the COMAC Business Jet (CBJ), marking the entry into service of China’s first domestically produced VIP aircraft. The maiden flight operated from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (ZSSS) to Beijing Capital International Airport (ZBAA).
According to a press release issued by Deer Jet, an operator affiliated with HNA Aviation Group, the launch represents a critical step in the serialized development of the COMAC C909 program. The CBJ is a VIP derivative of the C909 regional airliner, which COMAC rebranded from the ARJ21 designation in late 2024 to align with its C919 narrowbody and C929 widebody programs.
Operational details and aircraft specifications
The CBJ configuration received its Validation Type Certificate from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) in March 2021, following the initial type certification of the baseline airframe in 2014. Deer Jet will operate the aircraft to serve high-net-worth individuals and corporate clients in the domestic high-end travel market.
The aircraft features a 19-meter cabin that can be configured to accommodate between 12 and 29 passengers. The manufacturer specifications for the CBJ include:
- Maximum range: 2,800 nautical miles (5,000 kilometers) with eight passengers
- Cruising speed: Mach 0.78
- Operating altitude: 35,000 feet typical, certified up to 39,000 feet
- Powerplant: Two GE Aerospace CF34-10A engines, each producing 17,410 pounds of thrust
- Maximum takeoff weight: 43,500 kilograms (95,900 pounds)
Strategic milestones for COMAC and HNA Aviation Group
The entry into service of the CBJ builds upon the operational history of the baseline C909 regional jet, which entered commercial service in June 2016. To date, COMAC has delivered 185 C909 aircraft. The global fleet has carried 36 million passengers across 12 countries and accumulated 1 million safe flight hours over the past decade.
COMAC Chief Accountant Yu Shihai stated that this operational history provides a solid foundation for the safe operation of the CBJ. HNA Aviation Group Chairman Ding Yongzheng described the maiden flight as an important milestone for both companies in advancing the serialized development of domestic civil aircraft.
Deer Jet Business Jet Group President Zhou Wei noted that the company plans to use flexible operating models to promote the CBJ and achieve scaled operations within the domestic market.
AirPro News analysis
The commercial debut of the CBJ represents a tangible advancement in China’s broader strategic initiative to reduce its reliance on Western aerospace technology. Historically, the business aviation sector in China has been dominated by established Western original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) such as Bombardier, Gulfstream, and Dassault. By introducing a homegrown alternative, COMAC is positioning itself to capture domestic market share while demonstrating the versatility of the C909 platform. We view the partnership with Deer Jet as a calculated move to leverage an established operator’s market reputation to build confidence in the new VIP derivative.
Sources: China eVTOL News
Photo Credit: Deer Jet
Business Aviation
Atmospherica Private Jets Orders Two Embraer Phenom 300E Jets
Prague-based Atmospherica Private Jets orders two Phenom 300Es for 2028 delivery, expanding its fleet to seven aircraft.
Prague-based operator Atmospherica Private Jets has expanded its fleet renewal program with an order for two new Embraer Phenom 300E aircraft, scheduled for delivery in the second quarter of 2028.
The acquisition, announced in a June 25, 2026, press release, aligns with the company’s strategy to maintain an average fleet age of no more than 2.5 years. The operator also confirmed that a previously ordered Phenom 300E is on track for delivery in the second quarter of 2027, which will bring its total active Phenom fleet to seven aircraft.
Fleet strategy and AOG mitigation
Atmospherica replaces its light jets after six to seven years of operation to ensure high dispatch reliability and passenger comfort. According to reporting by ch-aviation, the operator currently flies five Phenom 300E jets alongside one legacy Embraer Phenom 300.
The addition of new airframes provides critical operational redundancy. Atmospherica Aviation Accountable Manager Alice Horváth-Muška told ch-aviation that the company will maintain five Phenom 300Es on active schedules to support its charter network.
“We will be operating five Phenom 300Es, and the sixth is a spare that can help in AOG situations,” Horváth-Muška said.
Broader operational expansion
Beyond its light jet operations, the Czech operator has been expanding its midsize and super-midsize capabilities. In January 2026, Atmospherica secured a second Air Operator Certificate (AOC) under the name Atmospherica Jets. This secondary certificate was established to facilitate operational approvals for its Embraer Praetor 600 fleet, specifically targeting transatlantic services.
AirPro News analysis
We view Atmospherica’s aggressive fleet renewal cycle as a distinct competitive advantage in the European charter market. Maintaining an average fleet age below 2.5 years requires substantial and continuous capital investment, but it directly translates to higher dispatch reliability and lower maintenance downtime. Utilizing a modern aircraft specifically as an Aircraft on Ground (AOG) spare is an exceptionally premium approach to schedule protection. This strategy also underscores the continued dominance of the Embraer Phenom 300 series in the light jet segment, as operators prefer fleet commonality to streamline pilot training and maintenance operations.
Sources: Atmospherica Private Jets
Photo Credit: Atmospherica Private Jets
Business Aviation
Onex Partners to Acquire AirSprint in First Institutional Deal
Onex Partners and TriWest Capital Partners agree to acquire AirSprint, Canada’s fractional jet operator, in a Q3 2026 deal.
Private equity firm Onex Partners, alongside TriWest Capital Partners and other co-investors, has agreed to acquire AirSprint Inc., marking the first institutional investment in the 26-year history of the Canadian fractional jet operator.
In a press release issued on June 25, 2026, the companies confirmed the transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026. The acquisition will provide capital to fund fleet expansion, technology investments, and strategic growth initiatives for the Calgary, Alberta-headquartered aviation company.
Leadership transitions and continuity
Following the close of the acquisition, AirSprint founder and chairman Judson Macor will transition to the role of chairman emeritus. President and chief executive officer James Elian will continue in his current executive capacity and retain his seat on the board of directors. Both Macor and Elian, along with certain current shareholders, will remain investors in the company.
Macor stated in the press release that the investment serves as a strong endorsement of the business model and future opportunities for the fractional operator.
“What makes AirSprint special is our people. As we enter this next chapter, I am excited to work with Onex, whose commitment to supporting our team, serving our fractional owners and advancing AirSprint’s long-term vision gives me great confidence,” Elian said, according to reporting by Corporate Jet Investor.
Fleet composition and operational scale
AirSprint currently operates a fleet of 44 Private-Jets. According to fleet data reported by ch-aviation, the operator’s inventory includes six Cessna Citation CJ2+ and 21 Cessna Citation CJ3+ light jets. The midsize and super-midsize fleet comprises five Embraer Legacy 450s, three Embraer Legacy 500s, eight Embraer Praetor 500s, and one Embraer Praetor 600.
The company inducted its first Embraer Praetor 600 in early 2025 and is currently evaluating larger aircraft types to integrate into its fractional ownership program.
The operator currently serves more than 600 fractional owners and employs over 400 aviation professionals across its facilities in Calgary, Toronto, and Montréal.
Onex Partners expands aviation footprint
The Acquisitions of AirSprint deepens Onex Partners’ existing involvement in the Canadian aviation sector. The private equity firm currently holds a 75 percent stake in WestJet Group, the parent company of commercial carrier WestJet.
Faiz Hemani, managing director at Onex Partners, noted the firm’s intent to support AirSprint’s core business growth and expand its service offerings.
“Judson Macor founded and grew the company from a single aircraft into a national private aviation platform defined by an uncompromising dedication to its Fractional Owners, and we’re proud to help carry that legacy forward,” Hemani stated in the June 25 announcement.
AirPro News analysis
We view the acquisition of AirSprint by Onex Partners as a logical consolidation of Canadian aviation assets by a major institutional player. By adding Canada’s largest fractional jet operator to a portfolio that already includes a controlling stake in WestJet, Onex is diversifying its exposure across both commercial airline operations and high-net-worth private aviation. The injection of institutional capital will likely accelerate AirSprint’s fleet modernization, particularly as the operator evaluates larger cabin classes to compete with cross-border fractional programs operating in North-America.
Sources: Onex Partners
Photo Credit: AirSprint
-
Defense & Military4 days agoItaly Courts Germany and Saudi Arabia to Join GCAP Fighter Program
-
Defense & Military4 days agoVolatus Aerospace Opens Mirabel Drone Manufacturing Facility
-
Aircraft Orders & Deliveries3 days agoUSC Aero Acquires Five Lufthansa A340-600s for Fleet and Parts
-
Regulations & Safety2 days agoLight-Sport Aircraft Strikes CITIC Tower in Beijing
-
Defense & Military2 days agoLockheed Martin NXGB Hypersonic Glide Body Program Launch