Farnborough Airshow 2026 - Bombardier's Global 8000, The World’s Fastest Civil Aircraft, Sets New Speed Record Between Los Angeles And Farnborough, Uk

The Global 8000 aircraft set its latest speed record en route to the Farnborough International Airshow, where the aircraft will showcase its outstanding performance attributes in its first ever aerial display

This latest achievement for the new Global 8000(1) aircraft adds to a growing number of speed records and builds upon the industry-leading record tally of its predecessor the Global 7500

Bombardier’s Global 8000 is the fastest civil aircraft since the Concorde, with a top speed of Mach 0.95, a range of 8,000 nautical miles (NM), and the lowest cabin altitude in business aviation production of just 2,691 ft.(2), making it the ultimate business aircraft

Bombardier is proud to announce that the Global 8000 business jet has set a new speed record on a mission departing from Los Angeles and landing in Farnborough, UK. The aircraft completed the city pair in 8 hours and 46 minutes. In setting the record, the Global 8000 flight crew was able to overcome unfavorable tailwinds, reaching a top speed of Mach 0.93. This new speed record is also 2.2% faster than a previous record for the city pair set.

Boasting a top speed of Mach 0.95 and a range of 8,000 NM(2), the Global 8000 is the fastest and highest performing aircraft in the industry, transporting passengers quicker, farther, from more locations and in greater efficiency than ever before. On this specific mission, the aircraft headed to Farnborough to showcase its incredible performance attributes to spectators and take part in the aerial display at the Farnborough International Airshow.

“This new speed record illustrates the truly special attributes of this incredible aircraft, the industry leader in terms of speed, agility and performance,” said Stephen McCullough, Executive Vice President, Engineering, Product Development and Bombardier Defense. “Speed is without a doubt the Global 8000’s calling card, and this latest accomplishment aptly underscores what sets this aircraft apart – the ability to bring the world closer and closer than ever before. And when combined with the aircraft’s signature smooth ride, luxurious cabin, low cabin altitude and unmatched landing capabilities – including the ability to reach up to 30% more airports than its nearest competitor – it’s truly in a class of its own.”

The Global 8000 is making its debut at the 2026 Farnborough International Airshow and is taking part in aerial displays throughout week, showcasing its outstanding performance attributes. Find out more at Chalet C603.

Gulfstream G500 And G600 Fleet Surpasses 400 Customer Deliveries

Milestone Highlights Sustained Customer Demand and Leadership in Innovation and Performance
 Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. today announced the 400th customer delivery of its award-winning Gulfstream G500 and Gulfstream G600 fleet, a milestone that underscores sustained global demand for the aircraft, their innovation and performance leadership. The milestone delivery was a G600 outfitted at Gulfstream’s St. Louis facility for a customer in the Asia-Pacific region.

Since entering service, the G500 and G600 fleet has accumulated more than 519,000 flight hours and over 200,000 landings while demonstrating exceptional operational performance worldwide. The program has also achieved more than 190 city-pair speed records, contributing to Gulfstream’s overall total of 815 records. Recently, the G600 made a record-setting flight from Sapporo, Japan, to Savannah, flying 5,835 nautical miles/10,806 kilometers in 11 hours and 38 minutes at an average cruise speed of Mach 0.88.

“Reaching 400 deliveries is a testament to the confidence customers around the world continue to place in Gulfstream and in the G500 and G600,” said Mark Burns, president, Gulfstream. “Together, these aircraft have fueled sustained demand for our next-generation fleet and play a pivotal role in Gulfstream’s vision to offer an aircraft for every mission.”

The G500 and its sister aircraft, the G600, debuted the Gulfstream Symmetry Flight Deck and have earned numerous awards for interior excellence, quality and craftsmanship. The aircraft feature a clean-sheet design, a maximum operating speed of Mach 0.925 and the Gulfstream Cabin Experience with 100% fresh air, a plasma ionization air purification system, class-leading cabin altitude and Gulfstream Panoramic Oval Windows.

Earlier this year, both aircraft received European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certification for steep-approach landing, enabling access to even more airports worldwide, including London City, providing customers with even greater flexibility.

 

Farnborough Airshow 2026 / Helicopters - The Helicopter Company orders eight additional Airbus H145 helicopters

Airbus Helicopters and The Helicopter Company (THC), a Public Investment Fund (PIF) company and Saudi Arabia’s leading commercial helicopter operator, have announced a firm order for eight additional Airbus H145 helicopters at Farnborough International Airshow.

The helicopters are scheduled for delivery between 2027 and 2028, and fall under the historic framework agreement signed between THC and Airbus at Verticon in 2024. The original framework agreement between THC and Airbus included up to 120 Airbus helicopters of various types set to be delivered over the next three to five years.

The order reflects THC's disciplined approach to fleet optimisation and its forward-looking growth strategy. By planning deliveries across a structured two-year window, THC will ensure seamless availability for integration of new aircraft into its operations. The H145s will support THC's expanding range of services, including Emergency Medical Services (EMS), and other mission-critical operations across the Kingdom and beyond.

“The additional order of H145s reinforces the dynamic partnership we have developed with Airbus over the past six years,” said Captain Arnaud Martinez, CEO of THC. “By investing in a fleet that is optimised, agile and future-ready, THC is strengthening our ability to anticipate and meet our customers’ evolving needs while supporting the Company’s next phase of development. The eight additional H145s will help to enhance our operational capabilities and position THC to further extend our footprint beyond the Kingdom, reinforcing our standing as both a regional and local leader and an increasingly prominent global player in aviation.”

“We are honored to further deepen our partnership with The Helicopter Company through this additional commitment for eight H145s. This agreement is a testament to the trust THC places in our multi-mission platforms to support the Kingdom’s rapidly expanding aviation ecosystem,” said Matthieu Louvot, CEO of Airbus Helicopters. “The H145 has already proven its excellence in Saudi Arabia’s demanding 'hot and high' conditions, and we are proud and we are proud to see the growing number of H145s powering THC’s operations as they scale their world-class services," he added.

THC is at the forefront of developing commercial helicopter services in Saudi Arabia, having introduced the H145 into service for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and deployed the H145 in support of the Dakar Rally. This order further advances THC's mission in supporting the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals by strengthening Saudi Arabia's aviation sector and expanding access to world-class helicopter services for clients domestically and internationally.

Airbus’ H145 is designed to deliver excellent performance throughout the flight envelope and is the latest member of the company’s twin-engine rotorcraft product range – with designed-in mission capability and flexibility, especially in high and hot operating conditions. There are more than 1,800 helicopters of this family in service, logging a total of more than 8.6 million flight hours. Its particularly low acoustic footprint makes the H145 the quietest helicopter in its class.

 

Farnborough Airshow 2026 / Helicopters - UK National Police Air Service orders two additional Airbus H135s

The UK’s National Police Air Service (NPAS) has placed an order for an additional two H135 helicopters, bringing the total fleet renewal programme to nine H135s.

The firm order, which follows the arrival of the first two fleet renewal aircraft at Airbus Helicopters in the UK in April for extensive policing customisation, comes under the original 2025 Framework Contract signed with the BlueLight Commercial procurement agency, which confirms Airbus as the exclusive supplier of helicopters for NPAS for up to six years.

“These aircraft will provide a modern, resilient and effective capability for policing, supporting our crews as they respond to incidents, assist officers on the ground and protect the public.

"Programmes of this scale are only possible through the dedication and professionalism of many people working behind the scenes. I would like to thank colleagues across NPAS, Airbus and BlueLight Commercial, whose expertise and commitment have helped bring us to this important point.

"Together with our partners, we are building a fleet that will serve policing and the public for many years to come, ensuring NPAS remains ready to meet the evolving demands of operational policing," said Chief Superintendent Fiona Gaffney, NPAS Accountable Manager.

“Building on decades of UK design and customisation expertise, Airbus Helicopters in the UK will play a key role in helping to bring the UK’s police helicopter fleet to a best-in-class standard, equipped with the latest security and policing technology,” said Richard Atack, Managing Director of Airbus Helicopters in the UK.

NPAS currently operates 16 H135 and four H145 helicopters from 14 locations on behalf of the 43 police forces in England and Wales. Airbus Helicopters in the UK additionally provides maintenance and support for the NPAS fleet which includes the most intensively used police helicopters in the world.

The new helicopters, which will arrive at Airbus’ Oxford site in 2028 ahead of their completion to NPAS’ configuration, will be equipped with Airbus’ Helionix avionics system, new to NPAS pilots who are already conducting training and familiarisation flights with the system which enhances safety and operational effectiveness by markedly reducing pilot workload.

More than 1,470 H135s are in service worldwide and have exceeded 8 million hours with over 325 customers.

 

Cessna Citation Cj3 Gen2 And Beechcraft King Air 360 Crimson Edition To Make Eaa Airventure Show Debut

Textron Aviation brings lineup of industry-leading Cessna, Beechcraft, Pipistrel, McCauley Propeller products to Oshkosh

Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company, today announced the Cessna Citation CJ3 Gen2 and Beechcraft King Air 360 Crimson Edition are heading to the 2026 Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Both aircraft will be on display for the first time at the show alongside a broad lineup of Cessna and Beechcraft aircraft.
“EAA AirVenture is one of the most important opportunities each year for us to connect with customers and the broader aviation community,” said Lannie O’Bannion, senior vice president, Sales & Marketing. “Being on the ground in Oshkosh allows us to showcase the breadth of our portfolio. Events like AirVenture also give us valuable face-to-face time to better understand how our customers operate and continue delivering aircraft that meet their evolving needs.”

With more than 24,000 turbine aircraft and 85,000 piston aircraft operating in the United States, Textron Aviation supports the largest share of general aviation turbine and piston aircraft in the country and world. At booth #78, visitors will have the opportunity to explore an iconic lineup of Cessna, Beechcraft and Pipistrel aircraft spanning gliders and piston models to turboprops and business jets. Aircraft expected to be on display include:

Cessna Citation CJ4 Gen3 cockpit mockup
Cessna Citation CJ3 Gen2
Cessna Citation M2 Gen2
Beechcraft Denali mockup
Beechcraft King Air 360 (special Crimson Edition)
Cessna Grand Caravan EX
Cessna Turbo Stationair (206)
Cessna Turbo Skylane (T182T)
Cessna Skylane (182)
Cessna Skyhawk (172)

Pipistrel representatives will be on site to showcase the following aircraft:
Pipistrel Panthera

Pipistrel Sinus MAX
Pipistrel Alpha Trainer

All Cessna and Beechcraft turboprop and piston aircraft on display will feature McCauley Propeller products, and McCauley representatives will be on site at the show.
McCauley Propeller Systems, Bell and Lycoming will also have products on display, including:
Propeller displays: 

Beechcraft King Air 360 and Beechcraft Denali
Bell 505
Lycoming engine display

In the Textron Aviation booth, attendees can view the Starlink and Gogo Galileo aftermarket connectivity solution displays and connect with aftermarket parts and customer support teams to learn more about the company’s global service network. With a robust network of service centers, mobile service units and authorized facilities — supported by 24/7 Aircraft-on-Ground (AOG) assistance and an extensive parts distribution system — Textron Aviation helps maximize aircraft availability and keep customers flying.

Bombardier Defense To Provide The Global 6500 Aircraft For A Second Special Mission Program In South Korea

Bombardier Defense will provide two Bombardier Global 6500 aircraft for South Korea’s Electronic Warfare (EW) program, in addition to four Global 6500 aircraft for Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) announced in October 2025

The Global 6500 is the platform of choice as nations around the world modernize their air forces, with the performance, adaptability and reliability to meet evolving defense needs

Bombardier Defense is proud to partner with Korean Air to bring unprecedented capabilities to South Korea via these two programs

Bombardier Defense is proud to announce that its Global 6500 aircraft will support South Korea’s Electronic Warfare (EW) program. The Global 6500 aircraft was already selected to be the platform for the country’s Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) program.

Korean Air recently formalized the purchase of two Bombardier Global 6500 aircraft for the Electronic Warfare program, and celebrated its collaboration with Bombardier Defense with a signing ceremony in Seoul.

“The Global 6500 aircraft is in demand around the world because of its performance and versatility, and we’re extremely proud that it was chosen for two very advanced, yet different defense missions in South Korea,” said Michael Anckner, Vice-President, Worldwide Sales, Bombardier Defense. “This aircraft is trusted because of its proven military track record, yet it remains highly adaptable as defense needs evolve."


Korean Air’s formal purchase of Bombardier Defense aircraft comes after L3Harris Technologies (NYSE: LHX) announced in October 2025 that the company received a contract to deliver modified Global 6500 AEW&C aircraft to the Republic of Korea Air Force.


The two additional Global 6500 aircraft will perform an EW role, more specifically a Stand Off Jammer (SOJ) mission, which allows for the disruption of enemy electromagnetic signals from a safe distance.


The Global 6500 aircraft is the preferred platform for many nations seeking to increase their airborne defense capabilities. Its long range and ability to operate at high altitude make it ideal for South Korea’s needs as well as the needs of countries around the world. It is the go-to choice for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), multi-role, medical evacuation and head of state transport, and is highly adaptable to the outer-mold-line manipulation required to integrate advanced mission systems and equipment.

Clearing The Skies: Gulfstream Demonstrates Emissions Reductions With Saf At 50,000 Feet

Industry-first flight test campaign successfully advances understanding of non-CO2 emissions using 100% sustainable aviation fuel

Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. has become the first business aviation company to successfully complete a high-altitude flight test campaign demonstrating the potential for 100% neat sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to reduce contrail-forming particle emissions at altitudes up to 50,000 feet.

The campaign marks the first 100% SAF flight for the Gulfstream G800 and Pearl 700 engine. The aircraft was paired with a specially modified Gulfstream G700, transformed into a flying emissions measurement laboratory. Operating in close formation, the aircraft enabled researchers to capture precise, real-world measurements of particulate matter and contrail-forming atmospheric characteristics at higher altitudes than flown by most commercial airliners, yet typical for business aviation.

Conducted in collaboration with the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Center of Excellence (ASCENT), NASA, the German Aerospace Center (DLR), Missouri University of Science and Technology, Aerodyne Research, Rolls-Royce, Montana Renewables and World Fuel Services, the campaign was designed to isolate how fuel composition influences non-CO2 emissions, an area of increasing focus across science and industry.

To accomplish this, the team compared conventional Jet A, low-sulfur Jet A and neat hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids (HEFA) SAF, which contains no sulfur or aromatics. Preliminary results suggest a significant measurable reduction in the particulate emissions that contribute to contrail formation when operating on neat SAF.

“As aviation continues its work in optimizing environmental efficiencies, Gulfstream is focused on advancing solutions that deliver measurable impact today while shaping a more sustainable future for flight,” said Mark Burns, president, Gulfstream. “This campaign reflects our strategy to lead with advanced technology, real-world testing and meaningful collaboration to better understand and reduce aviation’s environmental impact.”

Delivering these results required months of preparation by Gulfstream’s engineering and flight test teams, including modifying the G700 cabin to integrate advanced in-flight emissions instrumentation. Pilots trained extensively in simulators to execute complex formation profiles needed to capture both near-field emissions and contrail evolution several miles in-trail.

“This collaboration enabled these first-ever high-altitude 100% SAF emissions observations, allowing the team to operate safely and efficiently while maintaining the precision needed for accurate data collection,” said Rich Moore, research scientist, NASA. “This real-world data is essential to improving our models and understanding aviation’s broader environmental impact.”

The campaign provides valuable data that will be utilized in partnership with the broader aviation and atmospheric science communities. These insights will help refine analytical models, inform future fuel standards and support the development of operational strategies to reduce aviation’s environmental impact.

“Partnering with Gulfstream was an excellent opportunity that will help inform and quantify our efforts to mitigate the impacts of persistent contrails,” said Julie Marks, executive director of the FAA’s Office of Environment and Energy. “We appreciate the collaboration with industry as the FAA continues to evaluate how SAF may help reduce persistent contrails.”

This work builds on Gulfstream’s longstanding leadership in building a strong sustainable aviation future, including the industry’s first trans-Atlantic flight using SAF in one engine in 2011 and the industry’s first trans-Atlantic flight powered by 100% SAF in 2023. To date, Gulfstream aircraft have flown more than 3.5 million nautical miles on SAF blends.