This article is based on an official press release from Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. and verified industry data.

Pilatus Delivers First PC-12 Pro, Launching New Era for Turboprop Market

Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. has officially commenced deliveries of its latest flagship single-engine turboprop, the PC-12 Pro. The Swiss manufacturer celebrated the first global handover on September 30, 2025, at its headquarters in Stans, Switzerland. The launch customer, Australian businessman and former HP Inc. CEO Dion Weisler, accepted the aircraft before embarking on a transcontinental ferry flight to his home in South Australia.

According to the company’s announcement, this delivery marks a significant milestone for the PC-12 program, introducing the new Garmin G3000 PRIME avionics suite and enhanced safety features to the market. Following this initial handover, Pilatus quickly expanded deliveries to commercial operators in Europe and private owners in the United States, signaling a robust rollout for the updated airframe.

A Historic Ferry Flight

The delivery event in Stans served as the starting point for an extensive demonstration of the aircraft’s capabilities. Immediately following the handover, Weisler piloted the new aircraft, his fourth PC-12, on a journey spanning approximately 10,000 nautical miles. The route included stops in Crete, the Middle East, India, Malaysia, and Bali, before concluding in Adelaide, South Australia.

The 41-hour mission highlighted the long-range utility of the PC-12 Pro. In a statement released by Pilatus, Weisler expressed his enthusiasm for the new model’s performance during the long haul home.

“It was an incredible learning opportunity to fly your own aircraft home over such a vast distance… The PC-12 Pro is the result of listening, learning, and delivering.”

, Dion Weisler, Launch Customer

Expanding the Fleet: Commercial and U.S. Debuts

While the Weisler delivery marked the global debut, Pilatus achieved two additional regional milestones shortly thereafter. On October 6, 2025, Haute Aviation became the first commercial operator to take delivery of the PC-12 Pro. Based in Gstaad and Zurich, Haute Aviation previously operated the PC-12 NGX and will now offer the Pro model for charter services.

In the United States, the first delivery occurred on November 4, 2025, at the Pilatus Business Aircraft Ltd. facility in Broomfield, Colorado. The aircraft was handed over to private owners Ravi and Pheroza Arcot. This delivery was particularly notable as it marked a resumption of activity following trade complexities earlier in the year.

Technical Spotlight: The PC-12 Pro

Unveiled in March 2025, the PC-12 Pro succeeds the NGX model, retaining the airframe’s renowned versatility while overhauling the pilot interface. The most significant upgrade is the integration of the Garmin G3000 PRIME avionics suite, replacing the Honeywell Primus Apex system found in previous generations.

Key Specifications and Safety Features

According to manufacturer specifications, the PC-12 Pro includes several advanced systems designed to reduce pilot workload and enhance safety:

• Autoland: A system capable of automatically landing the aircraft if the pilot becomes incapacitated.
• Smart Glide: Technology that assists pilots in gliding to the nearest airport in the event of engine power loss.
• Performance: The aircraft boasts a maximum cruise speed of 290 KTAS (537 km/h) and a range of 1,830 nautical miles (3,389 km).
• Powerplant: It is powered by the Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6E-67XP engine, which features an Electronic Propeller and Engine Control System (EPECS) and a now-standard autothrottle.

AirPro News Analysis

The arrival of the PC-12 Pro comes at a critical juncture for the single-engine turboprop market. By adopting the Garmin G3000 PRIME suite, Pilatus has aligned its cockpit philosophy more closely with competitors like the Daher TBM 960, potentially neutralizing a long-standing differentiator for pilots who preferred Garmin interfaces over the Honeywell systems used in the PC-12 NG/NGX.

Furthermore, the timing of the U.S. delivery to the Arcot family is significant. The transaction occurred shortly after a challenging period involving a 39% tariff on Swiss exports imposed by the U.S. administration in mid-2025. The successful delivery in November suggests that Pilatus and its customers are navigating the new trade environment, though the long-term impact of these tariffs on U.S. order volume remains a key metric to watch.

Environmentally, the certification of the PC-12 Pro for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) positions the aircraft well within an industry increasingly focused on carbon reduction, ensuring its relevance as corporate sustainability mandates tighten.

Sources:

• Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.

Gulfstream G500 and G600 Secure EASA Steep-Approach Certification

Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. announced on Monday, January 12, 2026, that its next-generation G500 and G600 business jets have received steep-approach certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). This regulatory milestone allows European operators of these large-cabin aircraft to access some of the continent’s most challenging and geographically constrained airports.

According to the company’s official statement, the certification unlocks operations at key destinations such as London City Airport (LCY) in the United Kingdom and Lugano Airport (LUG) in Switzerland. These airports require approach angles significantly steeper than the standard 3 degrees due to surrounding terrain or strict noise abatement regulations. The approval follows successful landing demonstrations conducted by Gulfstream at these locations, validating the aircrafts’ low-speed handling and short-field performance.

This EASA approval complements the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) steep-approach certifications previously awarded to the G500 in October 2023 and the G600 in May 2024, completing the major regulatory requirements for global steep-approach operations.

Expanding European Operational Flexibility

The primary benefit of this certification is the ability to connect passengers directly to city-center and remote airports that were previously inaccessible to aircraft of this size without specific regulatory approval. London City Airport, located in the heart of London’s financial district, is a critical hub for business aviation but requires a steep 5.5-degree approach angle and short-field landing capabilities.

Similarly, Lugano Airport, situated in the mouth of a valley in Switzerland, demands an extremely steep approach angle of approximately 6.65 degrees to safely clear mountainous terrain. Sion Airport (SIR), another mountainous Swiss destination, is also now accessible to the G500 and G600 under this certification.

In the press release, Gulfstream leadership emphasized the importance of this capability for their customers.

“Our customers already benefit from the groundbreaking performance and efficiency of the G500 and G600. With EASA steep-approach certification now achieved, we’re proud to offer European operators even greater fleet flexibility by giving them access to more remote airports and destinations around the world.”

, Mark Burns, President, Gulfstream Aerospace

Technical Capabilities and Flight Deck Technology

Achieving steep-approach certification requires an aircraft to demonstrate precise control and stability while descending at angles far exceeding the industry standard. The G500 and G600 are equipped with the Gulfstream Symmetry Flight Deck, which features active control sidesticks. Gulfstream states that this technology enhances pilot situational awareness and control, which is particularly vital during demanding maneuvers like steep approaches into short runways.

The aircraft combine this handling capability with significant range and speed. The G500 offers a range of 5,300 nautical miles at Mach 0.85, while the G600 extends that reach to 6,600 nautical miles. Both jets are capable of a maximum operating speed of Mach 0.925.

AirPro News Analysis

From an industry perspective, securing EASA steep-approach certification is a necessary move for Gulfstream to maintain competitiveness in the European heavy-jet market. London City Airport is often viewed as a “gold standard” for business aviation utility in Europe; the inability to land there can be a dealbreaker for corporate flight departments based in London.

Competitors such as Dassault Aviation and Bombardier have long prioritized London City certification for their large-cabin jets. By finalizing this approval for the G500 and G600, Gulfstream ensures these “clean-sheet” designs can effectively replace legacy models like the G450 and G550, which have historically served these routes. The ability to take a 19-passenger jet into a valley airport like Lugano highlights the advanced aerodynamic efficiency of the new Gulfstream wing design, proving that large-cabin comfort does not necessarily require sacrificing short-field utility.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a steep approach?

A standard airport approach path follows a 3-degree glide slope. A “steep approach” typically involves an angle of 4.5 degrees or greater. This is necessary for airports surrounded by obstacles (like mountains) or dense urban environments requiring noise mitigation.

Which airports does this certification unlock?

The certification primarily allows operations at London City Airport (UK), Lugano Airport (Switzerland), and Sion Airport (Switzerland), among others with similar requirements.

When did the FAA certify these aircraft for steep approaches?

The FAA granted steep-approach certification to the Gulfstream G500 in October 2023 and to the Gulfstream G600 in May 2024.

Sources

• Gulfstream Aerospace Press Release

This article is based on an official press release from CDB Aviation.

CDB Aviation Secures $710 Million Sustainability-Linked Loan via Hong Kong Platform

DUBLIN, January 12, 2026, CDB Aviation, a wholly owned Irish subsidiary of China Development Bank Financial Leasing Co., Ltd. (CDB Leasing), has announced the execution of a significant new financing agreement. The lessor has secured a $710 million unsecured term loan facility structured as a Sustainability Linked Loan (SLL). This transaction marks a strategic expansion of the company’s Strategy platform, utilizing its Hong Kong subsidiary as the borrower for an SLL for the first time.

According to the company’s announcement, the facility has a five-year tenor and was executed on December 19, 2025. The deal underscores the aviation industry’s growing reliance on “transition finance,” where capital is tied directly to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance metrics.

Transaction Structure and Banking Partners

The $710 million facility is anchored by a consortium of major financial institutions. The loan introduces CDB Aviation Hong Kong Limited as the primary borrower, a move designed to diversify the lessor’s funding sources beyond its traditional Irish headquarters. The transaction was supported by several key banking partners:

• Mandated Lead Arrangers and Bookrunners: Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Asia) Limited.
• Sustainability Agent and Structuring Advisor: Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank.
• Additional Lenders: Bank of Communications (Hong Kong and Sydney Branches), China CITIC Bank International, Ping An Bank, and CTBC Bank.

Jie Chen, CEO of CDB Aviation, emphasized the importance of this structural shift in the company’s press statement:

“This term loan marks a major milestone for our platform, with our Hong Kong entity being appointed as the borrower for the very first time to enter into an SLL to raise substantial funds from the market.”

— Jie Chen, CEO of CDB Aviation

Sustainability Performance Targets (SPTs)

As a Sustainability Linked Loan, the interest rate on the $710 million facility is directly tied to CDB Aviation’s ability to meet specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). According to the release, the loan terms incentivize the lessor to achieve three primary goals:

1. Reducing Carbon Intensity: The company must demonstrate a reduction in the carbon intensity of its fleet, prioritizing the placement of the most fuel-efficient aircraft.
2. Fleet Modernization: A key metric involves increasing the proportion of new-generation aircraft within the fleet. Previous company reports have indicated a target to reach 60% new-generation aircraft by the 2025/2026 timeframe.
3. Workforce Development: On the social front, the loan requires an increase in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) related Training for the workforce.

Meeting these targets typically results in a lower cost of borrowing, aligning the company’s financial incentives with its environmental commitments.

Strategic Context and Market Position

This transaction represents the latest step in CDB Aviation’s aggressive adoption of sustainable finance. The company has established a track record of utilizing SLLs to fund its fleet transition:

• 2023: The lessor closed its inaugural $625 million syndicated SLL.
• 2024: The company secured a $700 million SLL collateralized by aircraft assets.
• 2026: The current $710 million unsecured facility reinforces the company’s investment-grade standing (Moody’s A2, S&P A, Fitch A+).

In the official release, CEO Jie Chen noted that the transaction reflects strong market support:

“Our continued success in attracting top-tier financiers reinforces our position as a premier global lessor… and showcases the market’s confidence in our long-term strategy.”

— Jie Chen, CEO of CDB Aviation

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AirPro News Analysis

We observe that the decision to utilize the Hong Kong entity as the borrower is not merely administrative; it is a strategic pivot to tap into deep Asian liquidity pools while maintaining a global footprint. By diversifying its borrowing entities, CDB Aviation mitigates geographic risk and broadens its access to capital.

Furthermore, the inclusion of a “Social” KPI regarding DEI training, alongside standard environmental metrics, signals a maturing of the SLL market in aviation. Lenders are increasingly looking for holistic ESG strategies rather than purely carbon-focused metrics. As the industry faces pressure to decarbonize, we expect investment-grade lessors to continue leveraging their balance sheets to secure favorable terms through similar transition finance instruments.

Sources

• CDB Aviation Press Release (via Business Wire/Yahoo Finance)