The NBAA-BACE 2024 shows how business aviation is reinventing itself in the area of innovation, economic challenges and sustainability. Leading manufacturers and companies presented groundbreaking technologies and strategies to meet changing market requirements.
The big business aviation family reunion is not what it used to be – an event at which the leading companies in the industry had to make a big appearance. And so it is interesting that industry leader Gulfstream has not only deleted its European sister trade fair EBACE from its own calendar, but also NBAA-BACE. Gulfstream relies on regional trade fairs and its own events such as demo tours, where customers can be looked after in a much more exclusive and personal manner. Because a trade fair like this costs millions for a manufacturer with all the trimmings, Dassault has also announced that it only wants to take part every other year in the future.
Textron Aviation: Unexpected turnaround and new light jets
However, general shaking of heads broke out when Textron Aviation canceled the stand and the exhibition space in the static display just a month before the start of the trade fair. The company cited the strike by 5,000 members of the International Association of Machinists (IAM) as the reason. The analyst firm Jeffries estimated that this would result in a loss of sales of $300 million. Just a week later, Textron felt compelled to overturn the decision based on “customer feedback,” as the accompanying press release eloquently put it. There may also have been an internal uprising in the sales department.
So the long-planned bang at the start of the trade fair actually took place. Textron Aviation presented the next generation of its light jets, Cessna Citation M2 Gen3, CJ3 Gen3 and CJ4 Gen3. The standout innovation that ties them all together is the Garmin Emergency Autoland System, which safely brings the jet to the ground at the nearest suitable airport if the pilot fails. This represents a major safety gain, especially for aircraft that are traveling with a pilot, who in many cases is also the owner.
Technological advances: Emergency Autoland and G3000 Prime Cockpit
The CJ3 Gen3 and CJ4 Gen3 also get the new G3000 Prime Cockpit from Garmin, which sets new standards in terms of intuitive operation. Textron Aviation hopes to receive approval for the CJ4 Gen3, which had its 107-minute first flight at the beginning of October, by the end of 2025. M2 Gen3 and CJ3 Gen3 are scheduled to follow in 2027. Once certification has been completed, Textron Aviation plans to make the emergency autoland function available as a retrofit solution for Citation M2 Gen2 with Autothrottle and CJ3 Gen2. In addition to mock-ups of the new cockpits, trade fair visitors were also able to take a look at the new cabin design.
Outlook on the new models from Textron and Beechcraft
The mock-up of the new Citation Ascend was also on display in the outdoor area at Henderson Executive Airport in the south of Las Vegas. According to Textron, flight testing of the new midsize jet is proceeding as planned, as is that of the single-engine Beechcraft Denali. Both models are scheduled to receive their type approval in 2025.
Market studies: Positive forecasts despite uncertainties
According to Honeywell’s market study, the outlook for the industry remains bright. Over the next ten years, 8,500 new jets worth $280 billion are to be delivered. The “big ones” are doing particularly well. Two thirds of the investments will go into long-haul jets. For the coming year, survey data shows that 93 percent of operators want to fly as many or more hours than in 2024. For 82 percent of them, aircraft performance remains a key purchasing argument.
With 8,600 jets worth $262 billion, data specialist JetNet comes up with very similar numbers. There would also be 4,300 turboprops for 25 billion US dollars. Despite all the long-term optimism, JetNet diagnosed widespread uncertainty in the industry. The survey for the third quarter that has just been completed shows optimism is at its lowest level since the start of the Covid pandemic at the beginning of 2020. Despite the robust performance of the American economy, the geopolitical situation with the numerous conflicts is depressing the mood. Above all, however, the fear of the outcome of the elections has an impact.
Environmental awareness in business aviation: Pilatus and sustainability
Many expect the industry to face further increasing headwinds from a Democratic-led government under Kamala Harris and a Democratic majority in Congress. The importance of business aviation for the American economy and the protection of the climate and environment were high on the NBAA’s agenda. According to a survey of financial institutions and brokers commissioned by Airbus Corporate Jet, the contribution to US economic output will increase from $150 to $182.2 billion over the next five years. The use of climate-friendly SAF will increase in the coming years, which will also further increase the use of aircraft.
In order to take into account the trend towards reducing environmental impact, Pilatus presented an environmentally friendly PC-24 cabin together with the Austrian interior specialist F/List. The plant-based oil-wood veneer has lower emissions of volatile organic compounds. At the same time, it is resistant to scratches, durable and easy to care for. So-called Whisper Leather, an imitation leather made from purely plant-based raw materials, is also used.
Successful trade fair appearance by Embraer
At the start of the trade fair, Embraer once again attracted attention with strong figures. Deliveries of business jets rose from 28 to 41 compared to the previous year, an increase of almost 50 percent. The Praetor series was particularly successful with 19 units – after nine in 2023. The order backlog rose to 4.4 billion US dollars. In Las Vegas, Embraer showed the Phenom 100, Phenom 300E and Praetor 600.
Wheels-Up: Fleet harmonization and new technologies
As George Mattson, boss of the troubled charter operator Wheels-Up, announced at the trade fair, the company will harmonize the fleet around the Embraer Phenom 300 and Bombardier Challenger 600. There are currently six different models in use. Wheels-Up was saved last year by an investment from Delta Airlines.
Connectivity and Advanced Air Mobility as future topics
All aircraft are to be equipped with GoGo Galileo HDX Internet. In general, the topic of connectivity was high on the agenda. Textron Aviation will be the first OEM to offer the system as a factory option. Namely for the Citation models Latitude, Longitude and Ascend. The commercial launch of Galileo HDX is expected to take place in the fourth quarter of this year.
Advanced Air Mobility now has a permanent place in business aviation. Exhibitors in Las Vegas included Lilium, Joby and Elektra. Just like Textron eAviation with the eVTOL Nexus, they are targeting charter providers as customers who could offer their business jet customers a seamless offer for travel to the business centers of large metropolises. Lilium already has pre-orders from EMC Jet Texas and the Italian company Volare.
A special feature of Elektra is that the aircraft has a hybrid-electric drive and can operate with a runway of 100 meters. Customers include Bristow, the world’s leading helicopter operator. He wants to supplement his fleet of 300 helicopters with 50 Elektra and has secured advance payments for early delivery positions.
Text: Heinrich Großbongardt
