Matt Thurber, editor-in-chief at AIN Media Group, has been flying since 1975 and writing about aviation since 1978 and now has the best job in the world, running editorial operations for Aviation International News, Business Jet Traveler, and FutureFlight.aero. In addition to working as an A&amp;P mechanic on everything from Piper Cubs to turboprops, Matt taught flying at his father’s flight school in Plymouth, Mass., in the early 1980s, flew for an aircraft owner/pilot, and for two summer seasons hunted swordfish near the George’s Banks off the East Coast from a Piper Super Cub. An ATP certificated fixed-wing pilot and CFII and commercial helicopter pilot, Matt is type-rated in the Citation 500 and Gulfstream V/550. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Matt and his team cover the entire aviation scene including business aircraft, helicopters, avionics, safety, manufacturing, charter, fractionals, technology, air transport, advanced air mobility, defense, and other subjects of interest to AIN, BJT, and FutureFlight readers.

Editor-in-Chief

Matt Thurber

As CitationAir transitions from selling fractional shares to <a href="http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/ainalerts/2012-02-07/citationair-ceases-sales-fractional-jet-shares">focusing on its Jet Card and Jet Management</a> products, the company plans to “begin reducing its aircraft fleet as Jet Share contracts expire,” according to a statement that AIN obtained yesterday from company president and CEO William Schultz. “A corresponding number of pilots will be furloughed as aircraft are removed from the fleet, making way for new managed aircraft,” he added.


Teamsters Local Union 1108, which represents about 370 pilots at CitationAir and pilots at fractional-share provider Flight Options, announced on Tuesday that it terminated negotiations for a furlough letter of agreement with CitationAir. The company and pilot union have not yet negotiated an initial contract since the <a href="http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/aviation-international-news/2011-07-29/citationair-pilots-vote-union">union was voted in</a> eight months ago.


CitationAir has not announced how many pilots will be furloughed and when this will occur, but the company “is redirecting its efforts and working closely with Cessna Aircraft, our parent company, to support its primary objective of selling and supporting its popular line of business jets,” Schultz noted. This includes “exciting new programs, which will be announced later this year, [that] will offer added value to Cessna customers in a way that no other aircraft manufacturer can provide.”

News and issues concerning the aviation charter and fractional-ownership industries and markets, including company announcements, regulations, new developments and labor issues.

CitationAir To Trim Fleet, Pilot Ranks

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Sarah Rose

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Share price returns above $1 mark

Wheels Up Regains Compliance with NYSE Listing Standards

Charles Alcock

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

New developments at airports including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

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Beta Makes First Electric Flight into New York City Airport

Curt Epstein

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Upon completion next year, it will join the fractional operator’s growing network

Flexjet Starts Terminal Project at Scottsdale Airport

New chapter for MRO provider

West Star Aviation Joins Greenbriar Equity

Amy Wilder

Deliveries begin in 2026 for Mexjet fractional fleet

Aerolíneas Ejecutivas Inks Deal for 12 Cessna Citations

Kerry Lynch

Geopolitical conflicts increasing complexity

Experts: Global Demand Straining Airports, Airspace

New access model targets 50-hour annual flyers

HansJet Launches PC-12 Membership Program in Europe

New developments at FBOs including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

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