Boca Raton, Florida | October 12, 2017–Business aviation finance is on the upswing, with new research¹ from Global Jet Capital, a global leader in financial solutions for corporate aircraft, revealing that over 77% of business aviation professionals recently surveyed expect demand for business aviation finance to increase over the next five years, with more than one in six of those expecting the increase to be “dramatic”.  Only 6% anticipate a fall in demand between now and 2022.

The main reason identified for the growing demand for finance is that in the current economic climate, there is a growing trend for potential buyers to use less of their own capital, a fact cited by 62% of the professionals interviewed.  Two in five (40%) respondents said the overall level of sales of business aircraft will grow and thus result in increased demand for finance.

21% also pointed to the fact that operating leases are currently very attractively priced, and thus are a financing option which more buyers are likely to consider over the coming five-year period.

The research suggests the industry is set to meet this growing demand as 57% of the business aviation professionals questioned think the overall amount of finance made available to this market will increase in the coming year.  25% said this was because more specialist lenders have recently come into the market, while 34% said they expect to see more specialist lenders entering the sector in the future.  33% think traditional lenders will want to increase their exposure to the business aviation market.

Overall, 32% of those interviewed believe that the growing size of the business aviation market over the next twelve months will naturally lead to an increase in the amount of finance available.

In terms of finance rates offered, 51% of the study’s respondents think they will increase between now and 2020.  Only 21% believe they will stay the same as today, while 18% think they will decrease.  With such an overwhelming majority predicting either stable or increasing rates, it indicates that now may be the best time to take out an operating lease and secure guaranteed rates for the longer term.

Shawn Vick, chief executive officer at Global Jet Capital, said: “We are seeing slow but steady improvement in market fundamentals, largely the result of the OEMs making difficult but necessary decisions related to production rates, and emerging strength in the global financial markets.  From our perspective, we experienced a solid increase in business over 2016 and see strong demand heading into 2018 for both new and used aircraft financing. Looking forward, we are confident that our wide range of financing solutions and industry experience will position us well to respond to a full industry recovery.”

Global Jet Capital is capitalized by three global investment firms – GSO Capital Partners, a Blackstone company in partnership with Franklin Square Capital Partners*; The Carlyle Group; and AE Industrial Partners. In January 2016, Global Jet Capital completed the purchase of GE’s corporate aircraft lease and loan book in the Americas.

Global Jet Capital currently has approximately $2.5 billion in assets under management.

Expansion of popular programme allows Dassault Aviation customers to use their existing radomes to connect to Jet ConneX

October 11, 2017–Inmarsat (ISAT.L), the world’s leading provider of global mobile satellite communications, announced today that additional data plans are now available for its Jet ConneX inflight Wi-Fi solution on Dassault business jets. The expanded offering gives Dassault customers five tiered data plans to choose from using their existing non-Ka-band radomes. The highest data plan offers speeds up to 11Mbps.

Business aviation customers are normally required to install the Honeywell JetWave hardware for Jet ConneX with a fully approved Ka-band optimised radome. However, that requirement has been waived while Dassault Aviation finishes development of a fully approved Ka-band radome, which is expected next year.

With the installation of an approved Ka-band radome, Dassault customers will become eligible for the entire Jet ConneX data plan catalogue, which currently offers tiered plans up to 15Mbps.

Kurt Weidemeyer, Vice President of Business and General Aviation at Inmarsat Aviation, said: “Jet ConneX has received an extremely positive response from Dassault customers and we decided to expand this programme with more data plans as Inmarsat has more than enough capability and capacity to support even non-Ka-band radomes. In fact, keep an eye out for even higher data plans for all our customers.”

Jet ConneX is the only global, high-speed Wi-Fi option available for Dassault aircraft today. It offers the same fast and reliable on-board connectivity experience comparable to the mobile broadband services they may receive on the ground, with business jets connecting to the service using exclusive JetWave hardware produced by Inmarsat partner Honeywell. Using Inmarsat’s advanced Ka-band satellite network, Jet ConneX offers consistent global coverage across 100 percent of major airline routes and islands off the beaten path for business aviation customers.

With more than 100 installations, Supplemental Type Certifications (STCs) with all major aircraft manufactures and a rising number of aftermarket installers, across 15 of the most popular type models, Jet ConneX has become the most installed inflight Wi-Fi solution of 2017. The total number of business jet installations for the service is expected to double in the next year alone.

Non-Ka radome programme data plan speeds and pricing can be obtained from the Jet ConneX global network of Service Providers; Arinc Direct, Honeywell Go Direct, Satcom Direct (SD) or SitaOnAir, who offer tailored service plans on a monthly subscription basis, as well as 24/7 technical support, billing and value-added services to help customers manage usage and optimise bandwidth..

Alpharetta, Georgia | November 16, 2015– Flight Display Systems, a leader in Cabin Management Systems, In flight Entertainment, and Military Special Mission video solutions, has redesigned the user interface of the Smart Cabin CMS control modules. The new interface is designed to give users a more streamlined experience. Updated graphics and intuitively organized icons on the main screen provide users with the ability to quickly control their cabin environment. The new CMS Controller Interface allows VIP passengers to adjust in-flight entertainment options, access and share productivity files, and control cabin amenities like temperature, lighting, shades, and more.

In addition to better functionality, the interface designs are now available in an array of schemes including blue, silver, charcoal, and gold, to integrate into existing cabin décor.

• To Provide Full Complement of Connectivity Systems, Content Services, Operations Solutions and Digital Media Solutions

Los Angeles, CA | November 17, 2015– Global Eagle Entertainment Inc., (Nasdaq:ENT) (“GEE”) a worldwide provider of aircraft connectivity systems, operations solutions and media content to the travel industry, today announced it has entered the business aviation market with plans to offer a full suite of services beginning mid-year 2016.

Leveraging its breadth of inflight entertainment and connectivity (IFEC) offerings and expertise across the commercial airline industry and utilizing key partners in the business aviation industry, GEE will tailor a full range of solutions to provide an enhanced travel experience for business jet passengers and pilots around the world.

Business jet operators will be able to offer streaming-capable high-speed Internet access and data services, including VoIP and IPTV, using GEE’s next generation connectivity platform powered by partner SES’ global Ku and Ku-HTS satellites.

As a global leader in inflight entertainment content delivery, GEE will deliver a total journey experience; including Content provision of movies, TV shows, live television, and games; as well as Digital Media Solutions ranging from content and travel enhancement offerings at FBOs to onboard flight tracking and destination services.

With GEE’s recent acquisition of Masflight and Navaero, GEE’s business aviation solutions will include connected operational data services as well as EFB integration to streamline day-to-day flight and maintenance operations, further enhancing operational efficiencies.

“Global Eagle Entertainment has heard loud and clear the needs and demands of the business aviation market. We know the market is hungry for an enhanced level of global inflight entertainment and connectivity solutions that deliver on the requirements of business jet passengers today and into the future,” said Dave Davis, GEE CEO.

“We are entering the business jet market with plans to provide a full complement of our proven IFEC solutions,” Davis noted. “We are leveraging our expertise in delivering our IFE portfolio to over 200 airlines, and our connectivity solution to nearly 700 aircraft, worldwide. Utilizing this rich global commercial airline experience, GEE will help the business aviation industry elevate all aspects of the passenger experience and operational efficiencies aboard a business jet.”