Market for Light Business Jets Is Seeing New Competition

NBAA-BACE 2023

Bizav OEMs Don't Take Small Jet Market Lightly

OEMs are upgrading their light jets as Honda proceeds with a new model

By Matt Thurber • Editor-in-Chief

October 10, 2023

Four business jet OEMs are raising the stakes in the light jet market. One new jet—the HondaJet Echelon—is in development, and significant upgrades are happening to three well-established models: the Embraer Phenom 100EX, Pilatus PC-24, and Textron Aviation Citation CJ3 Gen2. Predecessors of these latter three light jets have sold well, but this is a market that likes new and shiny, and a lack of regular upgrades is a sure way to turn off potential buyers.

Remarkably, in this age of high inflation, Embraer has not only excised 190 pounds from the Phenom 100EX but has also added many features while maintaining the $4.995 million price tag. Owners who pay the bills will appreciate the EX cabin’s finer touches such as the upper tech panel inspired by Embraer's larger models, wider seats, and flush-to-the-wall tables. Pilots who have flown the latest Phenom 300E will see the same Runway Overrun Awareness and Alerting System, stabilized approach, and new radar features in the 100EX.

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