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

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

Modern Aviation officially opened its newly constructed hangar and fully renovated Fixed-Base Operator (FBO) terminal at Francis S. Gabreski Airport (FOK) in Westhampton Beach, New York, on June 25, 2026. The expansion adds significant infrastructure to the Long Island business aviation market, featuring direct access to the airport’s 9,000-foot runway and proximity to international clearance facilities.

In a press release issued on June 26, 2026, the company detailed the completion of the project, which includes 30,475 square feet of heated hangar space and 2,250 square feet of attached Class A office space. The development marks a major capital investment following Modern Aviation’s acquisition of the FOK FBO assets from Sheltair Aviation in September 2022.

Facility specifications and strategic location

The new hangar is designed to accommodate modern ultra-long-range business jets, featuring a 28-foot door clearance. The attached office space provides administrative and operational areas for corporate flight departments, Part 91 and Part 135 operators, and other aviation service providers seeking direct airfield access.

Location plays a critical role in the facility’s appeal. The new development is situated adjacent to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) office at FOK. This positioning offers a strategic advantage for international business aviation traffic arriving on Long Island, streamlining the clearance process for operators and their passengers.

Corporate expansion and market strategy

The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by Modern Aviation President and Chief Executive Officer Mark Carmen and Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine. During the event, Carmen stated the investment reflects the company’s commitment to providing high-quality facilities and outstanding service to its customer base.

The Westhampton Beach location is one of 19 facilities Modern Aviation currently operates across the United States and Puerto Rico. The completion of the FOK project aligns with the company’s broader strategy of acquiring and upgrading FBO infrastructure in high-demand business aviation corridors.

AirPro News analysis

We view the expansion at Francis S. Gabreski Airports as a calculated move to capture overflow and direct traffic in the lucrative New York metropolitan and Long Island markets. By investing heavily in heated hangar space with high door clearances, Modern Aviation is directly targeting operators of large-cabin business jets, which require specialized infrastructure often in short supply in the Northeast. The proximity to CBP facilities further positions this specific FBO as a highly competitive entry point for international flights bypassing more congested hubs like Teterboro Airport (TEB) or Republic Airport (FRG).

Sources: Modern Aviation via GlobeNewswire