The Khaleej Times Online reports that Boeing has garnered BBJ sales amounting to $2.5 billion in 2006, and 25 to 30 per cent of those sales originate in the Middle East.

In the article, Charles E. Colburn, Director Product & Marketing of Boeing Business Jets is quoted as saying: “The ME markets have been very strong for our BBJs and out of the 119 BBJs sold over the last 10 years, 33 are from this region alone and continues to add 4-5 more BBJs each year. In fact, out of our total Boeing business jets sold, about 25-30 per cent are from this region.”

Here are the two leading groups that jet owners/operators can align with to facilitate transport of those in need:

Angel Flight America
Angel Flight America is a national non-profit network of private pilots who provide free air transportation for people in need seeking access to specialized health care facilities or distant destinations. They also provide free flights in the event of a national crisis or whenever there is a compelling human need. Angel Flight America has a volunteer corps of over 5,000 private pilots from all 50 states and provides over 20,000 flights for children and adults each year.

Corporate Angel Network
Corporate Angel Network is a charitable organization that arranges free flights for cancer patients to treatment centers, using the empty seats on corporate aircraft flying on routine business. Based in White Plains, N.Y., the 23-year-old service, which arranges 1,200 flights a year, is open to all cancer patients, bone marrow donors, and bone marrow recipients who are not in need of medical support while traveling. Patients may travel as often as necessary, and eligibility is not based on financial need.

The October 2006 issue of Business & Commercial Aviation contains a 4 page article detailing the A318 Elite. Reporter Fred George says that this newest and smallest ACJ has 4,100 NM range, seating for 14 to 18 passengers, and a price tag of $45 million. Although a less expensive alternative to traditional ACJs, the A318 Elite has the same 12.1-foot-wide cabin as the regular Airbus Corporate Jet.

Aviation International News reports that “Gulfstream delivered 113 green jets last year, 27 percent more than the 89 shipped in 2005 and exceeding by 12 the previous record of 101 deliveries set in 2001.”

According to the AIN Alert, “The expanding market is being driven by increased demand from outside of North America.”

71 “large” (G350 through G550) aircraft were shipped in 2006 and they plan to produce 79 in 2007.

The always insightful Helium Report is offering a guide for evaluating which method of ongoing private jet travel is best for you or your business. Regrettably, It’s a download that requires registration which will result in an “analyst” calling to “verify interest and answer questions.” Still, it’s a read that I’d say is worth the effort.

A synopsis table is here.

news.scotsman.com reports that a G550 recently flew a special charter jet Edinburgh-to-Beijing in eight hours, 47 minutes and then onto Louisville in Kentucky, in 13 hours and 27 minutes. Gulfstream has submitted applications to the National Aeronautic Association to confirm these as new records.

Considering the reporter writes “It is not known what the previous Edinburgh-to-Beijing record was. However it is thought that only a handful of planes have ever made the direct trip between the two capital cities.” It seems to me this is more of a display of range than speed.

“The special charter flight from Edinburgh took place to demonstrate the £23 million luxury jet plane’s performance for potential buyers. Four passengers, thought likely to be ultra-rich businessmen with links in China, were on board.”

GlobalAir.com offers a handy online utility where you can enter an airport code, along with a distance radius, and it will return (via Google Maps) local fuel providers and the prices they are charging for aviation fuel.

On March 18-23 2007, the Darden School at University of Virginia will host a nine-day workshop titled “Managing the Corporate Aviation Function” For $7,700.00, Chief pilots, maintenance managers, executives, and other managers with “significant aviation department responsibilities” will study business cases intended to “provide a framework for examining equipment selection and justification, operational issues, financing methods, fleet upgrading, and interpersonal problems.”

From themanufacturer.com:

SEATTLE, Jan. 09, 2007 — Boeing [NYSE: BA] Business Jets and Rockwell Collins today introduced an Enhanced Vision System (EVS) offering for Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) operators. The offering will be available to BBJ customers through Boeing and Rockwell Collins service bulletins, and certification for the system is expected by early 2008…(more)

According to Aviation International News, a complete repair of the airport could take as long as mid-February 2007. An unexplained fire broke out on January 3 which mostly affected the lounge area.

AIN reports that:

“…customs and immigration clearances will be conducted on board clients’ aircraft. Service requests can still be made through either Universal’s Houston headquarters or its European Operations Center at London Stansted Airport. A temporary telephone line has been established at the Le Bourget FBO: 33 1 48 35 96 38 (fax 33 1 48 35 85 46).”