Business Aviation
Hera Flight Expands Fleet to 25 Aircraft with New Jets in 2026
Hera Flight adds four Cessna Citation X jets and one Gulfstream GV, expanding its fleet to 25 aircraft and enhancing private aviation services in Florida.
On May 22, 2026, Florida-based private aviation provider Hera Flight announced a major fleet expansion, bringing its total aircraft count to 25. According to a company press release, the operator has added four Cessna Citation X jets and one Gulfstream GV to its active roster.
This strategic growth aims to address surging demand across the Southeast United States for on-demand charter, jet card redemption, and aircraft management services. The company confirmed that all five newly acquired Private-Jets are immediately available for client use.
The expansion arrives on the heels of several operational milestones for Hera Flight, including new Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certifications and the introduction of flexible jet card programs. These developments position the company to capture a larger share of the expanding 2026 private aviation market.
Fleet Additions and Capabilities
The specific aircraft chosen for this expansion reflect a dual focus on speed and long-haul capability. As detailed in the Hera Flight press release, the addition of four Cessna Citation X aircraft significantly bolsters the company’s super mid-size jet offerings, while the Gulfstream GV expands its heavy jet capacity.
The Cessna Citation X and Gulfstream GV
Industry specifications note that the Cessna Citation X is among the fastest civilian aircraft globally, capable of reaching top speeds of Mach 0.935. With a range of approximately 3,460 nautical miles and whisper-quiet seating for up to eight passengers, the Citation X is optimized for rapid, coast-to-coast domestic travel.
Complementing the mid-size additions is a single Gulfstream GV, a heavy jet renowned for its ultra-long-range and transatlantic capabilities. The Gulfstream GV features a spacious stand-up cabin, catering to larger traveling parties and high-demand international routes.
“The demand we’ve seen over the past year has been extraordinary. Adding these five aircraft is a direct response to our clients, existing members who fly more frequently and new travelers who have discovered that private aviation, done right, is unlike anything else. Growing our fleet to 25 aircraft means we can say yes more often, deliver more availability, and continue raising the bar on what private flying looks and feels like.”
Strategic Growth and Recent Milestones
Founded in 2018 by Jonathan Hollar and Chuck White, Hera Flight operates out of headquarters in Clearwater and West Palm Beach, Florida. The company offers a full suite of aviation services, including maintenance, aircraft sales, and acquisitions. Co-founder Jonathan Hollar brings extensive experience to the operation, holding an Airline Transport Jet Pilot’s License with over 13,000 flight hours and type ratings in both the Citation X and Gulfstream series.
Expanding Global Reach and Flexibility
Hera Flight’s recent fleet expansion is supported by a series of regulatory and operational advancements achieved between late 2025 and early 2026. In February 2026, the company received FAA approval for worldwide Class II operations. According to company statements, this certification permits the operator to conduct long-range charter flights over remote and oceanic airspace, perfectly aligning with the transatlantic capabilities of their newly acquired Gulfstream GV.
Additionally, the company launched a “10-Hour Jet Card Program” in May 2026. This program is designed to provide a flexible, low-commitment entry point into private aviation with fixed hourly rates and guaranteed availability. Furthermore, in November 2025, Hera Flight achieved WYVERN Wingman Certified Operator status, a globally recognized benchmark for rigorous Safety standards and risk management.
Industry Context
AirPro News analysis
We observe that Hera Flight’s expansion is highly indicative of broader 2026 private aviation trends, particularly within the Southeast United States. According to industry data, Florida currently ranks as the second-largest state in the U.S. for registered private jets, boasting over 1,600 aircraft and trailing only Texas. Hera Flight’s dual-headquarters in Clearwater and West Palm Beach strategically positions the operator to capitalize on this dense, high-net-worth geographic market.
Furthermore, the 2026 market is experiencing a pronounced shift toward on-demand charter flights and short-term jet cards, moving away from the complexities of full aircraft ownership. Travelers are increasingly prioritizing frictionless booking experiences and time control. By pairing a flexible 10-hour jet card with an expanded fleet of 25 aircraft, Hera Flight is directly addressing this consumer preference, ensuring they have the physical assets required to guarantee availability for their growing membership base.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many aircraft does Hera Flight currently operate?
Following the May 2026 expansion, Hera Flight operates a total fleet of 25 aircraft.
What new aircraft were added to the Hera Flight fleet?
The company added four Cessna Citation X super mid-size jets and one Gulfstream GV heavy jet.
Where is Hera Flight headquartered?
Hera Flight maintains headquarters in Clearwater and West Palm Beach, Florida.
Sources: Hera Flight Press Release
Photo Credit: Textron
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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