The Scissortail Brief - Week of 1/19
Introducing the Scissortail Brief…
A weekly snapshot of the forces shaping U.S. business aviation, from regulatory decisions and fuel market shifts to new aircraft entering service and changes in how and where operators fly. Each edition cuts through the noise to highlight what matters most to operators, owners, and industry leaders, pairing timely updates with practical context so you can anticipate impacts, adjust plans, and move forward with confidence.
Overview
Over the past week, notable updates emerged across regulatory policy, fuel pricing, OEM activity, airport infrastructure, charter demand, avionics technology, and safety and training initiatives. These developments have direct implications for day-to-day operations, from routing around Washington, D.C., to evaluating new aircraft deliveries, hangar availability, and connectivity upgrades. Our goal is to provide a concise, actionable overview to help you stay informed and make confident operational and strategic decisions.
Regulatory and Policy Updates
DCA Helicopter Restrictions Made Permanent: The FAA issued an Interim Final Rule formalizing permanent flight restrictions for helicopters and powered-lift aircraft operating near Washington, D.C.’s Reagan National Airport (KDCA). These restrictions codify emergency measures put in place following a January 2025 midair collision in the D.C. area.
Under the rule, most helicopter operations are prohibited in defined airspace sectors when Runways 15 and 33 are active. This change eliminates mixed fixed-wing and rotary traffic during high-workload arrival and departure phases. For example, sightseeing and corporate helicopter flights transiting the Potomac River corridor during peak airline arrival banks will now face routine operational constraints.
The restrictions are effective immediately. While operators may submit comments during the Interim Final Rule period, flight departments serving government, corporate, or charter clients in the National Capital Region should plan for these limitations to remain permanent and adjust routing, alternates, and crew briefings accordingly.
FAA Funding and Modernization Bill Gains Support: A broad coalition of aerospace manufacturers, industry associations, and labor unions is urging Congress to pass the FY2026 Transportation appropriations bill to increase FAA funding. The proposed budget would raise FAA funding to approximately $22.2 billion, including resources to hire roughly 2,500 new air traffic controllers and invest $4 billion in facilities and equipment upgrades.
For operators, this funding directly impacts reliability at congestion-prone facilities such as New York-area airports, South Florida, and major business aviation hubs like Dallas Fort Worth and Southern California. The bill also allocates $4.5 billion for airport infrastructure projects and fully funds the Essential Air Service program, supporting access to smaller regional airports frequently used by business aviation.
With a government funding deadline approaching January 30, industry support is growing to pass the bill and avoid disruptions similar to last year’s partial FAA shutdown, which contributed to staffing shortages and ATC delays.
Fuel Prices and Sustainable Fuel Trends
Jet-A Fuel Price Eases Slightly: Average U.S. jet fuel prices have declined modestly at the start of 2026, offering incremental relief for operators managing tight operating budgets. The national average price of Jet-A in January stands at $6.51 per gallon, down from December and slightly below year-ago levels.
Regional differences remain significant. Operators flying in the Central U.S., including Texas, Oklahoma, and the Midwest, have seen some of the largest month-over-month declines, while West Coast locations such as California and the Pacific Northwest experienced modest increases. These figures reflect full retail, all-in FBO pricing.
With global jet fuel prices stabilizing and fewer geopolitical supply shocks than late 2025, many operators are seeing fuel costs plateau, particularly for domestic U.S. missions.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Initiatives: Momentum around Sustainable Aviation Fuel continues, with several real-world use cases emerging. During World Economic Forum events, business aviation operators flying into and out of Zurich were encouraged to uplift SAF, supported by dedicated SAF availability at a major Zurich FBO for outbound departures.
On the production side, technology companies reported progress in reducing SAF costs through improved processes and alternative fuel pathways. While SAF remains more expensive than conventional Jet-A and availability is still limited, these developments suggest gradual improvement in both price and supply.
Scissortail recommends that operators monitor SAF availability at frequently used international gateways, such as Zurich, London, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, and consider partial SAF blends when available to support sustainability objectives and signal demand to suppliers.
OEM and New Aircraft Activity
Aircraft manufacturers reported multiple milestones this month, spanning new certifications, aircraft entering service, and first flights of next-generation platforms.
Bombardier: Bombardier’s Global 8000 ultra-long-range jet received European certification, following approvals in North America late last year. The aircraft entered service at the end of 2025 and is capable of flying up to 8,000 nautical miles at speeds approaching Mach 0.95.
For operators, this enables nonstop missions such as Los Angeles to Sydney or New York to Hong Kong under favorable conditions, while maintaining a low cabin altitude that enhances passenger comfort on ultra-long-haul flights. Bombardier is ramping up deliveries in 2026, allowing European-based owners to begin taking delivery and operate the aircraft throughout the region.
Textron Aviation: Textron’s new Cessna Citation Ascend has officially entered service, with the first customer delivery completed in Wichita at the end of December. The Ascend features a new Garmin G5000 flight deck, autothrottles, and a redesigned flat-floor cabin.
Designed as a successor to the 560XL series, the Ascend offers improved fuel efficiency, larger windows, and modernized avionics. With seating for up to 12 passengers and a four-passenger range of approximately 1,900 nautical miles, it is well-suited for missions such as Chicago to Denver or Dallas to Los Angeles. Operators seeking to replace aging midsize jets now have a new, lower-operating-cost option entering the market.
Gulfstream: Gulfstream Aerospace continues to expand its portfolio with the all-new G300, positioned to replace the outgoing G280. The prototype completed its first flight in late December, marking the start of an extensive flight test program.
The G300 is designed for a 3,600-nautical-mile range at Mach 0.80, allowing missions such as New York to London or Los Angeles to Honolulu with a midsize footprint. The cabin features two living areas, a low cabin altitude, and a 100 percent fresh air system. Certification is targeted within the next few years, and early customer interest suggests strong demand in the super-midsize segment.
Infrastructure and Operations Developments
New FBO Terminal in Miami: International Flight Center opened a new two-story, 10,500-square-foot FBO terminal at Miami Executive Airport (KTMB). The facility includes upgraded passenger lounges, conference rooms, crew rest areas, and expanded ramp space.
Miami Executive has seen sustained growth in private and charter traffic, particularly during peak winter travel seasons. The new terminal increases capacity and improves the experience for operators serving South Florida destinations such as Miami, Palm Beach, and the Florida Keys.
Hangar Capacity Expansion: Hangar space remains tight in many business aviation markets, driving new construction. At Dallas Love Field, two new hangars totaling nearly 70,000 square feet are nearing completion, with 28-foot door heights capable of accommodating aircraft such as the Gulfstream G700 and Global 7500.
In the Northeast, a major private hangar development at Stewart International Airport in New York has doubled in scope, targeting approximately 400,000 square feet of rentable hangar space by 2028. These facilities are designed to offer private, dedicated hangars with integrated office and lounge space, which is an increasingly popular model for based operators.
Charter Market and Flight Activity Trends
Robust Flight Demand into 2026: Business aviation activity ended 2025 on a strong note and continues into the new year. Global flight operations in December increased year-over-year, driven largely by fractional ownership providers.
Early January data shows record levels of activity, particularly in North America, with strong growth in Florida and Texas. Fractional fleets and charter operators report steady post-holiday demand, suggesting a busy winter season for popular leisure and business routes.
Charter Pricing and Fleet Dynamics: With utilization remaining high, charter pricing has stayed firm, running several percentage points higher than a year ago. Increased fuel, labor, and insurance costs continue to influence hourly rates.
At the same time, additional aircraft deliveries may ease capacity constraints. Several charter operators have taken delivery of midsize and super-midsize jets, while larger fleets expect additional ultra-long-range aircraft later this year. These additions, combined with slightly lower fuel prices, may help stabilize charter rates in the near term.
Technology and Avionics Updates
Next-Gen Inflight Connectivity: In-flight connectivity continues to evolve, with low-earth-orbit satellite systems offering faster speeds and more consistent global coverage. New retrofit approvals allow operators of legacy Gulfstream models, such as the GIV, GV, and G550, to install next-generation antennas capable of supporting high-bandwidth applications.
For operators flying international or oceanic routes, these upgrades enable reliable video conferencing, streaming, and real-time data access, capabilities that are increasingly expected by passengers and flight crews alike.
Avionics and Upgrade Programs: Avionics manufacturers have introduced software updates for popular business jet platforms, adding features such as enhanced performance calculations, improved traffic displays, and expanded ADS-B functionality.
New certifications also bring advanced synthetic vision and automation features to select aircraft types. Training providers are updating simulator curricula to help pilots fully utilize these capabilities, particularly during recurrent training cycles aligned with winter maintenance schedules.
Safety and Training News
FAA Issues Space Launch Airspace Alert: The FAA issued a safety alert highlighting the growing impact of commercial space launches on U.S. airspace. Launches and re-entries can create large temporary restricted areas, particularly near spaceports in Florida, Texas, and California.
Operators are encouraged to closely review NOTAMs and incorporate launch schedules into preflight planning, especially for routes along the Gulf Coast or Atlantic seaboard. Contingency fuel and alternate planning are increasingly important as launch activity continues to expand.
Advances in Pilot Training Programs: Training providers are rolling out competency-based training and assessment models for business aviation recurrent training. These programs emphasize scenario-based learning, focusing on decision-making, threat management, and real-world operational challenges rather than checklist-only evaluations.
In parallel, efforts to streamline air traffic controller training are expanding, with new collegiate programs feeding directly into facility-level training. These initiatives aim to reduce staffing shortages and improve system-wide efficiency over time.
Workforce and Hiring Outlook: The aviation labor market remains competitive. Major airlines continue aggressive hiring, creating retention challenges for business aviation operators. In response, many corporate flight departments are offering flexible schedules, enhanced training opportunities, and retention incentives to keep experienced pilots and technicians.
Workforce development programs, technician apprenticeships, and a strong safety culture remain critical. Investing in people through training, mentorship, and positive organizational culture continues to be a key driver of safe and efficient operations.
Closing
This update reflects a strong start to 2026 for business aviation. Utilization remains high, new aircraft and infrastructure are coming online, and technology and training continue to evolve.
As always, Scissortail is here to help you navigate these developments. Whether planning around new airspace restrictions, evaluating fleet upgrades, securing hangar space, or optimizing operations in a dynamic market, our team is ready to provide guidance tailored to your needs. Safe flying, and we will continue to keep you informed in the weeks ahead.
