Business Aviation
NBAA Advocates for Sustainable Aviation Fuel Policies on Capitol Hill
NBAA leaders met with Congress to promote bipartisan bills supporting sustainable aviation fuel and the industry’s net-zero emissions goal by 2050.
This article is based on an official press release from the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA).
Business aviation leaders converged on Washington, D.C., to advocate for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) policies and the industry’s goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. According to an official press release from the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), the March 18 “CLIMBING. FAST.” Capitol Hill Fly-In brought together professionals from across the country for a daylong series of meetings with congressional lawmakers and their staff.
The NBAA stated that the event was designed to highlight the industry’s essential role in supporting 1.3 million American jobs and generating nearly $340 billion in economic output. Throughout the fly-in, delegates emphasized the importance of strengthening American energy independence and supporting rural economies through the advancement of clean fuels and sustainable technologies.
Advocating for Sustainable Aviation Fuel Legislation
A primary focus of the Capitol Hill meetings was the scaling of sustainable aviation fuel production. Members of the NBAA’s Environmental Committee urged Congress to advance key bipartisan legislation that would provide long-term incentives for SAF producers.
Specifically, the organization advocated for the Securing America’s Fuels Act (H.R. 6518/S. 3759), which aims to restore the Section 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit for SAF to $1.75 per gallon and extend it through 2033. The committee also pushed for the Farm to Fly Act (H.R. 1719, S. 114), a bill that would designate SAF as an advanced biofuel eligible for support programs under the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
“The reduced tax credit has made it more financially advantageous for producers to make renewable diesel instead of SAF. Restoring the credit to $1.75 is critical to give producers the confidence to continue building production capacity.”
According to the NBAA, business aviation has already reduced its carbon footprint by 40% over the past four decades, with modern aircraft operating approximately 35% more efficiently than previous generations. The association noted that SAF can reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional jet fuel.
Engaging with Congressional Leaders
To push these legislative priorities forward, industry representatives held targeted discussions with key policymakers and committee staff. The NBAA detailed that delegates met with a representative for California’s 40th congressional district, alongside staff members for several prominent lawmakers.
According to the release, the delegation met with staff for House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-6-MN), Sen. Andy Kim (D-NJ), Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-13-FL), Rep. Randy Fine (R-6-FL), Rep. Nancy Mace (R-1-SC), Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-23-FL), Rep. Luz Rivas (D-29-CA), Rep. Dwight Evans (D-3-PA), and Rep. Buddy Carter (R-1-GA).
The committee also focused heavily on the legislative bodies responsible for tax incentives and financial policy. They met with Michael Hawthorne and Grace Enda from the Senate Finance Committee, which is chaired by Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID) and whose ranking member is Sen. Wyden (D-OR). Additionally, discussions were held with Nick O’Boyle and Andrew Grossman from the House Committee on Ways and Means, chaired by Rep. Jason Smith (R-8-MO) and whose ranking member is Rep. Richard Neal (D-1-MA).
“Members of Congress need to hear directly from their constituents about why these priorities matter. Today’s CLIMBING. FAST. fly-in demonstrated that business aviation leaders across every segment of our industry… are united behind policies that would accelerate progress toward net-zero emissions.”
AirPro News analysis
We note that the targeted meetings with the Senate Finance Committee and the House Committee on Ways and Means underscore the aviation industry’s current strategic priority: securing favorable tax frameworks. The push to restore the Section 45Z credit to $1.75 per gallon highlights a significant economic hurdle in the green transition. Without competitive tax incentives, fuel producers naturally gravitate toward more profitable alternatives like renewable diesel, leaving the aviation sector struggling to secure the SAF volumes necessary to meet its 2050 net-zero targets. By mobilizing professionals from across the country, the NBAA is attempting to reframe aviation sustainability not just as an environmental imperative, but as a driver of rural economic growth and domestic energy independence.
FAQ: Business Aviation and Sustainability
What is the CLIMBING. FAST. initiative?
According to the NBAA, CLIMBING. FAST. is a branded, multi-platform industrywide advocacy campaign designed to showcase the societal and economic benefits of business aviation to policymakers, while highlighting the sector’s commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
What is the Securing America’s Fuels Act?
The Securing America’s Fuels Act (H.R. 6518/S. 3759) is bipartisan legislation that would restore the Section 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit for sustainable aviation fuel to $1.75 per gallon and extend the credit through 2033, incentivizing increased production.
Photo Credit: City of Washington DC
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
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