This week’s must-read aviation updates are ready for you!

Gulf Wings welcomes their first Falcon 2000LXS

Gulf Wings has added its first Dassault Aviation Falcon 2000LXS, previously operated by ExecuJet Middle East, according to ch-aviation research.

The aircraft, registered as T7-URJ (msn 321), was officially registered to Gulf Wings on June 10, 2024. It was then ferried from Basel/Mulhouse/Freiburg, CH to Karpathos, and finally to Dubai World Central on June 11-12, 2024.

Gulf Wings also operates one Challenger 604 and one Challenger 605 on the Sanmarinese register, along with three more Challenger 605s on the Emirati register.

ExecuJet Middle East, after retiring the Falcon 2000LXS, continues to operate a fleet that includes three Global 5000s, three Global 6000s, two Global 7500s, one Challenger 650, one Lineage 1000, and one Falcon 8X. Their aircraft are registered in the Emirates, San Marino, Bermuda, and the Isle of Man. Luxaviation Group, ExecuJet's parent company, has two more Falcon 2000LXS jets in its charter fleet, operated by Luxaviation San Marino and ExecuJet Australia.

Cathay Pacific orders 30 Airbus A330-900 aircraft

国泰航空 has placed an order for thirty Airbus A330-900s to modernize its fleet and expand regional and long-haul operations. The A330neo, featuring Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, offers 7,200 nm range and 14% better fuel efficiency per seat compared to the A330, with reduced emissions.

Airbus CEO Christian Scherer noted that the A330neo will enhance Cathay’s regional and long-haul operations, complementing its A320 and A350 fleets. The A330neo can use up to 50% sustainable aviation fuel, with a goal to increase this to 100% by 2030.

Cathay Group CEO Ronald Lam emphasized the investment reflects confidence in Hong Kong’s aviation hub status and aligns with their net-zero carbon emissions goal by 2050. The new A330neos will improve regional service and offer flexibility for longer routes.

Vista America bids farewell to Cessna Citation Ultras and Xs

Vista America , the U.S. partner of Vista Global Holding, is selling its Cessna Citation Ultra and X fleets to focus on Bombardier and Gulfstream jets, as well as midsize Cessna Citation XLSs. This change is meant to simplify operations and better serve customers.

Chief Commercial Officer Ian Moore stated that this decision supports their long-term goals and will enhance efficiency and client experience. Pilots currently flying the Citation models will be reassigned to other aircraft within the company.

Vista America, launched on November 1, 2023, includes Jet Select, Red Wing Aeroplane, Western Air Charter, and XOJet Aviation, and will continue offering short-journey services through its safety-vetted alliance fleet.

Solojet Shares expands Hawker 400XP fleet

Solojet Shares is adding a fifth Hawker 400XP to its fractional ownership program after selling out its first four aircraft. The Brazilian business aviation provider has also included a Cessna Citation X in its fleet under a shared management arrangement.

Solojet CEO André Bernstein highlighted the program's success, noting that clients benefit from reduced costs and increased flight flexibility. Bernstein explained that having a diverse fleet allows them to better meet clients' needs.

Based at Jundiaí Airport in S?o Paulo, Solojet also offers business aircraft purchase and sales support, interior renovations, and represents companies like Raisbeck Engineering and Blackhawk Modifications.

Battery Group CATL invests in AutoFlight's eVTOL aircraft

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd (CATL), a leading Chinese battery group, is investing "hundreds of millions of dollars" in AutoFlight, an eVTOL aircraft developer. The partnership will focus on developing advanced batteries to enhance range and payload capacity for AutoFlight ’s eVTOL models, including the four-passenger Prosperity.

CATL will provide R&D resources to support these efforts. Both companies are based in China and have facilities in Germany, where AutoFlight is working on the Prosperity aircraft.

AutoFlight’s main strategic investor has been European technology group Team Global, founded by Lukasz Gadowski, and its founder and chairman, Tian Yu. The Civil Aviation Administration of China recently accepted AutoFlight’s type certificate application for the piloted Prosperity, following the certification of its uncrewed CarryAll eVTOL freighter.

On August 1, AutoFlight showcased the Prosperity prototype with a flight over the Yangtze River in Jiangsu province. This demonstration followed a world record flight of 250.3 km (155.5 miles) and other trials, including a trial air taxi flight.