Business Aviation
Bombardier Global 8000 and ELIE SAAB Unveil Cabin Design
Bombardier and ELIE SAAB revealed a co-branded cabin for the Global 8000 in Monaco on June 8, 2026.

Aircraft manufacturer Bombardier and international fashion house ELIE SAAB unveiled a bespoke, co-branded cabin design for the ultra-long-range Bombardier Global 8000 business jet on June 8, 2026. The interior configuration will be offered as an optional upgrade for customers of the upcoming flagship aircraft.
In a press release issued by Bombardier, the companies detailed the partnership as a formal collaboration between an aviation original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and a luxury fashion brand. The unveiling took place at Bombardier’s Aviator Lounge in Monaco during the Formula 1 Grand Prix, capitalizing on the high-net-worth demographic attending the event.
Haute couture in the Global 8000 cabin
The collaboration aims to integrate high-end fashion design principles into the constraints of aviation engineering. Bombardier President and Chief Executive Officer Éric Martel noted that the Global 8000 was already well into its certification and operational development when discussions with ELIE SAAB began.
Martel stated this timeline allowed the engineering and design teams to “go beyond concepts and rethink the cabin as a true living space, while fully respecting the performance and operational realities of the aircraft.” He added that the partnership reflects a focus on elevating the customer experience.
Elie Saab Jr., CEO of ELIE SAAB, described the project as an application of an haute couture mindset to private aviation, focusing on luxury, precision, and design excellence.
“It is truly a new approach to private aviation, where travel becomes a seamless continuation of refined living,” Saab said.
Aircraft specifications and recent speed record
The bespoke interior will be housed within an airframe designed for high-speed, long-distance operations. According to Bombardier, the Global 8000 features a top speed of Mach 0.95 and a maximum range of 8,000 nautical miles. The aircraft also maintains a cabin altitude of 2,691 feet while cruising at 41,000 feet.
The Monaco unveiling followed a recent operational milestone for the aircraft program. On June 5, 2026, Bombardier announced that the Global 8000 completed a transatlantic flight from Montreal, Canada, to Nice, France, in just over six hours. The manufacturer stated the flight set a speed record for the aircraft type while transporting passengers to the Monaco F1 Grand Prix, setting the stage for the ELIE SAAB partnership announcement three days later.
AirPro News analysis
We view this collaboration as a strategic move by Bombardier to differentiate the Global 8000 in the highly competitive ultra-long-range business jet market. While custom interiors are standard in business aviation, they are typically executed by third-party completion centers or aftermarket specialists. By partnering directly with a recognized luxury fashion house at the OEM level, Bombardier is attempting to capture buyers who value brand-name exclusivity alongside technical performance. The timing and location of the announcement in Monaco further underscore the target demographic for this optional cabin configuration.
Sources: Bombardier
Photo Credit: Bombardier
Business Aviation
Gulfstream Opens First On-Site Customer Support Office in Singapore
Gulfstream Aerospace opened a dedicated customer support office in Singapore on June 11, 2026, staffing it with eight professionals at Jet Aviation.

Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. established its first dedicated on-site Customer Support office in Singapore on June 11, 2026, embedding eight professionals at Jet Aviation’s facility to directly serve the growing Asia-Pacific business aviation market.
Announced in a company press release, the expansion builds upon Gulfstream’s existing footprint in the region. The new office aims to streamline service capabilities for operators across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, which the manufacturer identified as a leading aerospace hub with increasing flight activity.
Regional support infrastructure
The Singapore office is staffed by eight Gulfstream customer support professionals. According to the company, this team will work alongside Jet Aviation to provide localized assistance and technical guidance to operators.
Lor Izzard, senior vice president of Gulfstream Customer Support, stated that the manufacturer is seeing increased activity across Asia, making Singapore a logical location for the expansion.
“Adding this dedicated on-site team allows us to deliver a more seamless and convenient service experience for customers across the region,” Izzard said.
The manufacturer currently maintains a 5,000-square-foot (465-square-meter) distribution center in Singapore. This facility houses an estimated $70 million in dedicated spare parts inventory and fulfills 70 percent of regional parts orders.
Broader Asia-Pacific expansion strategy
The establishment of the Singapore office is part of a wider strategy to capture and support market share in the Eastern Hemisphere. Gulfstream’s broader APAC support network includes nine Field Service Representatives and three Field and Airborne Support Teams (FAST). Globally, the company operates six factory-authorized service centers and 10 authorized warranty facilities.
The customer support expansion follows a series of sales leadership appointments announced on June 8, 2026. Gulfstream named Marc Ghaly as division vice president of sales for the Europe, Middle-East, and Africa (EMEA) and APAC regions, alongside Jad Benhaïjoub as regional vice president of government sales for the same territories.
AirPro News analysis
We view Gulfstream’s decision to co-locate its customer support personnel with Jet Aviation as a practical leveraging of General Dynamics’ corporate umbrella, as both companies share the same parent organization. By embedding factory personnel directly at an established maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) provider, Gulfstream can offer original equipment manufacturer (OEM) oversight without the capital expenditure of building a standalone service center in a high-cost real estate market like Singapore. The concurrent restructuring of EMEA and APAC sales leadership suggests the manufacturer is positioning for a sustained sales push in the region, backed by the necessary aftermarket infrastructure to reassure prospective buyers.
Sources: Gulfstream Aerospace Corp.
Photo Credit: Gulfstream
Business Aviation
ACASS Adds BBJ2 and Legacy 650 to Kenya Fleet
ACASS expands its African managed fleet with a Kenya-based Boeing BBJ2 and Embraer Legacy 650 for global charter.

Montreal-based aviation services provider ACASS has expanded its managed fleet in Africa with the addition of a Kenya-based Boeing Business Jet 2 (BBJ2) and an Embraer Legacy 650.
Announced in a press release on June 4, 2026, the two long-range Private-Jets are registered under the San Marino Aircraft Registry (T7). Both jets will soon be available for global charter operations to support rising demand for executive, head-of-state, and large-group intercontinental travel across the region.
Fleet expansion targets African charter demand
The introduction of the BBJ2 and Legacy 650 adds significant intercontinental range and passenger capacity to the ACASS portfolio. Operating out of Kenya positions the aircraft to serve both regional and long-haul requirements for VIP clients.
ACASS Chief Executive Officer Andre Khury highlighted the strategic nature of the fleet additions in the company’s June 4 statement.
“These additions reflect both the continued demand we are seeing in Africa and our commitment to providing flexible, high-quality aircraft management and charter solutions in the region,” Khury said.
Khury also noted the company’s decades of operational experience across the continent, emphasizing a focus on adapting to the evolving requirements of its charter and management clients.
Operational transparency and registry selection
Both newly managed aircraft operate under the San Marino T7 registration. The T7 registry is frequently utilized by international business aviation operators for its regulatory efficiency and strict adherence to International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) safety Standards.
The fleet expansion follows recent technology investments by the management firm. On February 11, 2026, ACASS integrated the MySky Spend management platform into its operations. The platform adoption was designed to increase financial transparency and streamline information access for aircraft owners.
AirPro News analysis
We view the placement of a BBJ2 and a Legacy 650 in Kenya as a calculated response to the distinct logistical realities of the African business aviation market. The continent’s vast geography and historically fragmented commercial airline networks create a strong use case for long-range, high-capacity business jets capable of direct intercontinental flights. By utilizing the San Marino registry, ACASS likely aims to streamline cross-border operations, regulatory compliance, and maintenance oversight, which can occasionally present challenges under certain local registries.
Sources: ACASS
Photo Credit: ACASS
Business Aviation
Flexjet Acquires The Jet Business, Names Varsano President
Flexjet acquires London brokerage The Jet Business, appointing founder Steve Varsano as President to strengthen fleet remarketing.

Fractional ownership provider Flexjet has acquired London-based aircraft brokerage and advisory firm The Jet Business, naming founder Steve Varsano as President of Flexjet and expanding the operator’s capabilities in whole aircraft sales and fleet lifecycle management.
Announced on June 12, 2026, the acquisitions merges The Jet Business with Flexjet’s existing FXSolutions brokerage under a unified platform. The transaction expands Flexjet’s footprint in the European market while providing the company with greater strategic control over the procurement, modernization, and remarketing of its global fleet of more than 340 aircraft.
Strategic fleet management and brokerage integration
The Jet Business will retain its brand identity and continue operating from its corporate jet showroom in London’s Mayfair district. For Flexjet, the acquisition provides an in-house mechanism to manage the transition of aging airframes out of its fractional fleet and optimize residual values.
In a press release detailing the acquisition, Flexjet Chairman Kenn Ricci emphasized the operational necessity of the deal for the company’s long-term fleet strategy.
“A core tenet of our luxury strategy is maintaining one of the youngest and most modern fleets in the industry. To do that effectively requires sophisticated capabilities around aircraft remarketing and transition planning,” Ricci stated.
Ricci added that the acquisition strengthens the company’s platform to move older aircraft out of the fleet gracefully while introducing next-generation aircraft into service for its fractional owners.
Clients of The Jet Business will gain access to a new suite of services branded as Flexjet Solutions. This offering includes aircraft operational support, pre-purchase inspections, maintenance infrastructure, Aircraft on Ground (AOG) response resources, and comprehensive aircraft management.
European expansion and leadership changes
As part of the acquisition, Steve Varsano assumes the role of President at Flexjet. Varsano has built a highly visible profile in the business aviation sector, operating a street-level showroom for corporate jets and amassing a social media audience that includes over 2.5 million followers on TikTok.
“We are well aligned in our belief that clients, at the very top of this market, are seeking far more than access to aircraft. They want trusted solutions that are designed around their needs, delivered by experts, and presented in style,” Varsano said regarding the merger.
The acquisition aligns with Flexjet’s ongoing infrastructure investments in the European market. The company recently opened a Tactical Control Center at Farnborough Airport (FAB) in the United Kingdom. Later in the summer of 2026, Flexjet plans to open a new private terminal at Farnborough, marking its largest infrastructure project outside the United States.
Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed by either party.
AirPro News analysis
We view this acquisition as a textbook example of vertical integration in the business aviation sector. Operating a fractional fleet of over 340 aircraft requires a constant, capital-intensive cycle of fleet renewal. By bringing a high-profile brokerage in-house, Flexjet secures a dedicated channel to remarket its older airframes, streamlining the transition process and keeping its core fractional fleet young. Tapping into Varsano’s extensive network of ultra-high-net-worth individuals also provides Flexjet with a direct pipeline to convert whole-aircraft buyers into fractional owners, or vice versa, depending on their changing operational needs.
Sources: Flexjet
Photo Credit: Flexjet
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