Universal Aviation has opened its updated Paris-Le Bourget FBO. The update includes an additional 12,094 square meters of ramp and parking space (for a total of 32,000 square meters), renovated crew and passenger lounges, a business center, client meeting rooms and private screening facilities. The company has the only private hangar in the area that can accommodate two of the larger commercial aircraft used for business aviation. It is available for use by monthly based clients on overnight or flexible durations.

VistaJet is keeping its fleet of 40 aircraft at an average age of two years as it takes delivery of five more Global aircraft and up to 20 more Challengers this year. VistaJet’s fleet has grown to more than 40 aircraft as the operator added five Bombardier Globals, valued at more than $250 million, to its fleet in the first quarter. Four of the Globals joined the fleet in March alone.

EBAS is celebrating the anniversary of its relocation to the Diamond Hangar at London Stansted Airport with the arrival of its first 8C inspection on a Bombardier Global Express business jet. The 10-year inspection represents a significant milestone for the company, requiring detailed overhaul and assessment of current airframe, landing gear and engine conditions. In addition, EBAS will upgrade the Global’s avionics installation to incorporate full Batch 3 and FANS-1/A+ compatibility so as to ensure compliance with future navigation and communication standards.

SyberJet continues to progress on its efforts to bring the SJ30i and SJ30x with a production certificate and delivery center groundbreaking. SyberJet secured its production certificate from FAA’s San Antonio Manufacturing District Office, marking the next step in the company’s quest to return the SJ30 – now the SJ30i – to market. Receipt of production certificate clears the company to manufacture, certify and deliver the aircraft.

Former Embraer Executive Jets president Ernest “Ernie” Edwards is keeping his hand in the business aviation market with the formation of a new leasing firm, Veling Tayara Limited. Edwards, a long-time business aviation executive, late last year retired from Embraer after building its Executive Jets unit into one of the largest business jet manufacturers.

The results of a survey conducted by the Baltic Air Charter Association indicate that BACA members are confident that business conditions will improve during 2014. Of those responding, 66.7% said they believe private jet charter revenue will increase in 2014 while 29% believe it will be flat. Only 4.3% said the anticipate a decline compared to 2013. Most growth is expected to be from existing clients flying more frequently.

Embraer is pulling out the stops to ensure trouble-free support for visiting and local Embraer Executive Jet operators for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, the biggest sporting event in global soccer, which starts in Brazil next month.

Elit’Avia added two more aircraft to its EROPS-approved fleet, including the first such authorization for a Challenger 605 operated by a charter in Europe. Elit’Avia recently secured approval from the Slovenian Civil Aviation Agency for extended range operations (EROPS) for its Bombardier Global 6000 and Challenger 605 in its fleet. The approval clears the way for more direct flight paths by permitting overwater operations up to three hours’ range from an alternative airport with use of one engine.