Aircraft
New Large-cabin Business Jets Reflect Private Aviation Boom
Gulfstream and Dassault are both close to bringing their respective new G700 and Falcon 6X models to market, while Bombardier has unveiled the Global 8000.
The Dassault Falcon 6X conducted a four-week round-the-world tour last month to validate the reliability of the aircraft and onboard systems in real-world conditions ahead of planned entry-into-service in mid-2023. (Photo: Dassault)
The Dassault Falcon 6X conducted a four-week round-the-world tour last month to validate the reliability of the aircraft and onboard systems in real-world conditions ahead of planned entry-into-service in mid-2023. (Photo: Dassault)

While many airlines continue their struggle to reach an operational equilibrium after the horrendous disruption inflicted on them by the Covid pandemic, business aviation generally has enjoyed a brighter period with rising demand for alternatives to scheduled services. Still, private jet manufacturers and operators also face headwinds in the shape of shortages of skilled staff, rising costs (notably fuel), and general economic uncertainty, in part resulting from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

None of those factors cast much of a cloud over May’s European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition in Geneva, which for many in the industry marked the first high-profile international gathering since Covid. The event provided the first glimpse at a pair of new long-range aircraft and also the launch of another new intercontinental model.