JET EXPO VENUE
Organisers of Russia's Jet Expo business aviation show will host the annual event at Moscow's Vnukovo-3 airport. The decision follows years of industry pressure to move the five-year-old show from Moscow's Crocus exhibition centre to the city's only dedicated business aviation site. Vnukovo-3 has the capacity to accommodate the indoor exhibition and outdoor static aircraft park. "Business aviation is one of the most rapidly developing branches of the Russian market," says Jet Expo. "This event not only adds to the prestige of Russia on the world arena, but also opens new horizons for foreign companies on the Russian market."
DELIVERY HIKE
Embraer delivered six business jets in the fourth quarter of 2010, bringing to 144 the delivery tally for Phenom, Legacy and Lineage aircraft last year. The shipment total included 100 Phenom 100s - "the most delivered" business jet of 2010, according to Embraer - 26 Phenom 300s, 10 Legacy 600/650s and eight Lineage 1000s. Embraer's firm order backlog - which embraces executive, commercial and military aircraft - stood at $15.6 billion at the end of last year, including an order from fractional ownership company NetJets for 50 Phenom 300s and options for a further 75.
BAN REJECTED
Business aircraft operators are breathing a sign of relief after a US court ruled that Santa Monica airport - a busy reliever airport for Los Angeles International - cannot ban business jets. The position was adopted by the airport in 2008 but challenged by the Federal Aviation Administration on the grounds that it "unjustly and unreasonably" discriminates against certain aircraft, which, in turn, would violate grant assurances accepted by Santa Monica when the city accepted federal funds for the airport. "Access to community airports is absolutely critical for companies of all sizes, all across the USA," says Ed Bolen, president of the National Business Aviation Association. "The court's decision helps ensure that this access will be preserved."
Source: Flight International