This article summarizes reporting by Reuters.

Transport Canada has officially granted type certification to the Gulfstream G500 and G600 business jets, a move that comes amidst heightened trade tensions between the United States and Canada. According to government documents reviewed by Reuters and released on February 20, 2026, the regulatory approval was finalized on February 15, 2026.

The certification marks a significant step in resolving a diplomatic standoff sparked by U.S. President Donald Trump, who had previously criticized the Canadian regulator for delaying approvals of the American-made private jets. The approval allows the G500 and G600, both large-cabin, long-range jets, to be registered and operated by Canadian customers.

However, the regulatory process is not entirely complete for the manufacturer. While the G500 and G600 have been cleared, Gulfstream’s flagship G700 and G800 models remain uncertified in Canada due to outstanding technical concerns regarding fuel system icing, highlighting a lingering divergence between American and Canadian safety protocols.

Certification Amidst Political Pressure

The approval of these aircraft occurs against a backdrop of significant political pressure. In late January 2026, President Trump issued an ultimatum to Canadian officials, threatening to “decertify” Canadian-built aircraft, specifically targeting Bombardier Global Express jets, and impose 50% tariffs on Canadian aviation imports if the Gulfstream approvals were not granted.

According to reporting by Reuters, the newly released Type Certificate Data Sheet confirms that the G500 and G600 met Canadian standards as of mid-February. This timing aligns with expectations set by FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford, who stated earlier this month that he anticipated a resolution.

“The government is still discussing the certification of other aircraft with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration.”

— Transport Minister’s Office (Canada), via Reuters

The Irony of the Engine Supply Chain

Industry observers have noted a distinct irony in the delay of these specific models. Both the Gulfstream G500 and G600 are powered by PW800 series engines manufactured by Pratt & Whitney Canada. The G500 utilizes the PW814GA, while the G600 uses the PW815GA. Consequently, the regulatory standoff effectively delayed the entry of aircraft that rely heavily on Canadian aerospace manufacturing and supply chains.

The Sticking Point: G700 and G800 Delays

While the G500 and G600 are now cleared for Canadian skies, the larger G700 and G800 models have not yet received the same approval. Research indicates that the primary obstacle is a technical disagreement regarding fuel system icing regulations.

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) granted Gulfstream a time-limited exemption (Exemption No. 21744) for these models, allowing deliveries to proceed in the United States while a permanent fix is developed. In contrast, Transport Canada has historically refused to accept time-limited exemptions for safety-critical systems without equivalent safety findings. The Canadian regulator is requiring Gulfstream to demonstrate full compliance before granting certification.

AirPro News Analysis

The divergence between the FAA and Transport Canada regarding the G700 and G800 illustrates a fundamental difference in regulatory philosophy. The FAA’s willingness to use exemptions to facilitate commerce, provided safety is not critically compromised, contrasts with Transport Canada’s stricter adherence to prerequisite compliance. While the certification of the G500 and G600 de-escalates the immediate threat of tariffs, the unresolved status of the flagship models leaves a potential flashpoint open for future trade friction.

Aircraft Specifications

The newly certified jets are among the most advanced in the business aviation sector. Below are the key specifications for the approved models, based on manufacturer data and regulatory filings.

• Gulfstream G500:
  • Range: 5,300 nm (9,816 km)
  • Max Speed: Mach 0.925
  • Engine: Pratt & Whitney Canada PW814GA
  • Thrust: 15,144 lb
• Gulfstream G600:
  • Range: 6,600 nm (12,223 km)
  • Max Speed: Mach 0.925
  • Engine: Pratt & Whitney Canada PW815GA
  • Thrust: 15,680 lb

Frequently Asked Questions

Why were the G700 and G800 not certified?

Transport Canada has flagged concerns regarding fuel system icing. Unlike the FAA, which granted a temporary exemption to allow operations, Canadian regulators are requiring full compliance with safety standards before issuing a type certificate.

What was the political threat involving these jets?

U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose 50% tariffs on Canadian aviation imports and decertify Canadian aircraft if Transport Canada did not approve the Gulfstream jets, characterizing the delay as wrongful.

Are these jets completely American-made?

While Gulfstream is a U.S. manufacturer based in Savannah, Georgia, the engines for the G500 and G600 are manufactured by Pratt & Whitney Canada, a major aerospace company with operations in Quebec and Ontario.

Sources

• Reuters
• Transport Canada
• Pratt & Whitney Canada

Flyhouse Enters Brazil via Strategic Partnerships with TAM Aviação Executiva

In a significant move to digitize the Latin American charter market, US-based technology company Flyhouse has announced a strategic partnership with TAM Aviação Executiva, Brazil’s leading executive aviation sales and service provider. According to reporting by Private-Jets Card Comparisons, the deal, announced on February 18, 2026, integrates TAM’s extensive fleet and managed aircraft into the Flyhouse app-based booking platform.

This collaboration marks Flyhouse’s official entry into Brazil, the world’s second-largest business aviation market. By leveraging TAM’s sixty years of operational infrastructure, Flyhouse aims to introduce its dynamic pricing engine and proprietary safety protocols to a sector historically dominated by traditional broker-operator relationships and the digital incumbent, Flapper.

Digitizing a Legacy Infrastructure

The partnership combines two distinct business models: the “tech-forward” marketplace approach of Flyhouse and the physical assets of TAM Aviação Executiva. Under the agreement, TAM will list its charter fleet and third-party managed aircraft on the Flyhouse app and web portal. This allows users to book flights instantly, bypassing the manual negotiation processes often associated with legacy chartering.

According to the report, Flyhouse provides the technology layer, including the booking interface and safety vetting framework, while TAM handles local regulatory compliance, aircraft maintenance, and flight operations. This structure allows Flyhouse to operate effectively in Brazil without navigating the complex process of obtaining a domestic Air Operator Certificate (AOC), relying instead on TAM’s existing certifications under ANAC regulations.

Executive Perspectives

Both companies have positioned the deal as a modernization effort for the region. Jack Lambert, CEO of Flyhouse, emphasized the synergy between technology and operational experience.

“By pairing FlyHouse’s technology… with TAM’s longstanding experience… we’re creating a platform that benefits operators, aircraft owners, and travelers.”

Jack Lambert, via Private Jet Card Comparisons

Leonardo Fiuza, CEO of TAM Aviação Executiva, noted that the local market has been anticipating this shift.

“FlyHouse brings a modern charter platform that operators in Brazil have been asking for.”

Leonardo Fiuza, via Private Jet Card Comparisons

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Introducing the “Safety Seal” to Brazil

A central component of this expansion is the introduction of the “Flyhouse Safety Seal.” Unlike standard industry audits that often focus heavily on technical checklists, Flyhouse describes its vetting process as a “Culture and Safety Assessment” (CASA). The protocol evaluates 45 distinct indicators related to an operator’s safety culture, risk management, and decision-making processes.

By implementing this standard, the partners aim to establish a “trusted tier” of operators within Brazil’s fragmented charter market. This move is designed to appeal to international and corporate clients who prioritize stringent risk mitigation over price alone.

AirPro News Analysis

The Battle for the Brazilian Digital Market

We view this partnership as a direct challenge to Flapper, the current dominant digital player in Latin America. Flapper has spent nearly a decade building a “Uber for private jets” model in the region, recently expanding into fractional ownership. Flyhouse’s entry suggests that the market is maturing enough to support competition, particularly at the premium end of the spectrum.

The decision to partner with TAM, a legacy giant with deep ties to Textron Aviation and Bell Helicopters, provides Flyhouse with instant credibility that a standalone market entry would lack. In a market like Brazil, where personal relationships and trust are paramount, TAM’s endorsement may prove as valuable as the technology itself. However, displacing an incumbent like Flapper, which boasts over 30,000 clients, will require more than just a partnership; it will require flawless execution of the user experience and consistent inventory availability.

Market Context and Outlook

The timing of the announcement coincides with a favorable economic outlook for Brazil in 2026. With interest rates falling and GDP growth forecast at approximately 2.5%, discretionary spending by High Net Worth Individuals (HNWIs) is projected to rise. The luxury travel market in Brazil is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.3%, driven by a demographic that increasingly values privacy and efficiency.

Flyhouse’s strategy appears to capitalize on this “monetary inflection point,” positioning its services to capture the expected increase in charter demand. By offering transparency in pricing, a core tenet of its US business model, Flyhouse attempts to differentiate itself in a market where broker markups have traditionally been opaque.

Sources

Sources: Private Jet Card Comparisons

This article is based on an official press release from the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA).

GAMA 2025 Report: Business Jets Drive Record $35.7 Billion in Industry Billings

The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) has released its 2025 Annual Shipment and Billing Report, revealing a landmark year for the general aviation industry. According to the data released on February 18, 2026, the industry achieved a record-breaking $35.7 billion in total billings, representing a significant 14.6% increase over 2024 figures.

While total shipment volumes showed mixed results across different aircraft segments, the surge in revenue highlights a distinct market shift toward higher-value assets. The report indicates that while unit deliveries for turboprops and Helicopters experienced slight declines, the delivery of ultra-long-range Private-Jets and technologically advanced platforms propelled financial performance to new heights.

GAMA President and CEO James Viola emphasized the industry’s resilience in the official release:

“The state of the general aviation manufacturing industry remains steadfast. We continue to see robust numbers of total aircraft delivered as well as annual billings eclipsing $35 billion, the highest it has ever been.”

Fixed-Wing Market Performance

The fixed-wing segment was the primary engine of growth for the industry in 2025. Total airplane billings reached $31.0 billion, a 16.1% year-over-year increase. Shipment volumes for airplanes also saw modest growth, rising 2.2% to a total of 3,230 units.

Business Jets Lead the Charge

The business jet segment proved to be the strongest performer, recording its highest delivery volume since 2019. Manufacturers delivered 854 business jets, an 11.8% increase compared to 2024. This double-digit growth underscores the sustained demand for private aviation solutions, particularly in the large-cabin and ultra-long-range categories.

Piston and Turboprop Segments

The piston airplane market remained the highest volume segment for the industry, delivering 1,782 units. This represents a slight growth of 0.6%, suggesting stability in the training and personal aviation markets.

Conversely, the turboprop segment faced headwinds, with shipments declining by 5.1% to 594 units. The report attributes this dip to specific supply chain constraints and production adjustments among OEMs.

Rotorcraft Market Overview

The helicopter market presented a complex picture in 2025. While total shipments decreased by 1.9% to 938 units, the segment still managed to grow its financial footprint. Total helicopter billings rose by 5.5% to $4.7 billion, driven by a mix of higher-value turbine rotorcraft deliveries.

• Turbine Helicopters: Shipments fell slightly by 1.9% to 732 units.
• Piston Helicopters: Deliveries also declined by 1.9% to 206 units, a drop largely attributed to lower delivery numbers for the Robinson R66 model.

Manufacturer Highlights

Several key manufacturers played pivotal roles in driving the 2025 numbers, particularly regarding the surge in billings.

• Gulfstream Aerospace: Reported a 17% jump in revenue, fueled by the ramp-up of G700 deliveries and the commencement of G800 shipments.
• Embraer: Delivered 155 business jets, marking its highest total in 15 years and an increase of 25 units over the previous year.
• Textron Aviation: Despite supply chain challenges, the parent company of Cessna and Beechcraft increased deliveries by 20 units and saw revenue rise by 13%.
• Bombardier: A 13-unit increase in its Global jet family deliveries contributed to a 10% revenue boost.
• Cirrus Aircraft: Maintained its position as the volume leader, delivering 797 aircraft, primarily from its SR-series and Vision Jet lines.
• Airbus Helicopters: Delivered 373 units, up from 349 in 2024, standing out as a growth leader in the rotorcraft sector.

AirPro News Analysis

The divergence between unit volume and total billings in the 2025 GAMA report signals a maturing market that is prioritizing capability over quantity. The 14.6% jump in billings against a backdrop of only 2.2% fixed-wing unit growth indicates that customers are opting for larger, more expensive aircraft equipped with the latest safety and sustainability technologies.

Furthermore, the data suggests that the “post-pandemic boom” has stabilized into a sustainable plateau. As noted by GAMA leadership, all segments remain above 2019 levels. This indicates that the expanded user base acquired during the pandemic has largely been retained, providing a higher baseline for the industry moving forward. However, the decline in turboprop and light helicopter deliveries warrants monitoring, as it may reflect lingering supply chain fragility affecting specific component availability for these airframes.

Industry Outlook

Looking ahead, manufacturers appear optimistic about stabilizing production rates. Donald Pointer, Senior Director of Marketing and Communications at Dassault Falcon Jet, noted the improvements in the supply chain:

“From the OEM perspective, our industry is seeing meaningful progress as production rates steadily increase and backlog positions remain strong.”

The focus for 2026 will likely remain on clearing backlogs and further integrating sustainability technologies, which continue to justify the higher price points driving the industry’s record billings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the total value of aircraft shipments in 2025?
The total industry billings for 2025 were $35.7 billion, a record high.

Which aircraft segment saw the most growth?
Business jets saw the most significant growth, with shipments increasing by 11.8% to 854 units.

Did helicopter shipments increase in 2025?
No, total helicopter shipments declined by 1.9% to 938 units, though the total value of those shipments (billings) increased.

Sources

• General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA)