WestJet takes delivery of three Boeing 737-8 aircraft

In a significant move to strengthen its narrowbody fleet, Calgary-based carrier WestJet has taken delivery of three Boeing 737-8 aircraft from CDB Aviation, a wholly owned Irish subsidiary of China Development Bank Financial Leasing Co., Limited. The latest-generation aircraft are expected to provide WestJet's guests with affordable, flexible air travel options, including satellite-supported WiFi.

This delivery marks a significant milestone in the partnership between CDB Aviation and WestJet, which was first established in 2020. To date, CDB Aviation has financed and leased a total of 13 Boeing 737-8 aircraft to the Canadian airline, supporting its growth strategy. "We've built a strong partnership with the WestJet team," said Luís da Silva, CDB Aviation's head of Commercial, the Americas. "We are pleased to be able to support their fleet expansion in an environmentally friendly manner."

The Boeing 737-8 aircraft will play a key role in WestJet's ongoing fleet expansion process, which is driven by its affordable cost structure and growth strategy. As Canada's coast-to-coast leisure champion and western home carrier, WestJet is committed to providing its guests with affordable and convenient air travel options. "CDB Aviation is a valued partner of WestJet," said Jennifer Bue, WestJet's senior vice president, Treasurer. "The relationship enables WestJet to continue our momentum, driving our growth strategy.”

Over 30 new aircraft coming to ATP Flight School in 2026

Florida-based ATP Flight School, the United States’ largest producer of commercial multi-engine pilots, has begun receiving its 2026 aircraft orders from Piper Aircraft and Textron Aviation. Over 30 new planes are set to join its training fleet this year, with the first delivery—a Garmin G1000 NXi-equipped Piper Seminole—made in January. This expansion underscores ATP’s commitment to meeting rising demand for professionally trained pilots in the aviation sector.

The Piper Seminole, a multi-engine aircraft, has long been a cornerstone of ATP’s training program. With more than 100 Seminole aircraft already in service, the type is celebrated for its reliability and role in building student confidence in multi-engine operations. The Seminole delivery was followed by the first of 27 new Cessna 172 Skyhawks scheduled for 2026, joining existing fleets. Over the past two years, ATP has added 144 factory-new Skyhawks, with orders extending into 2027. These aircraft, known for their durability and advanced avionics, further strengthen ATP’s reputation for offering one of the youngest and most technologically equipped training fleets globally.

Supporting its massive training operations, ATP’s fleet of 658 aircraft flies 600,000 hours annually. This scale is matched by a robust maintenance infrastructure: 26 Tech Ops bases employ predictive and proactive maintenance strategies that exceed regulatory standards, minimizing downtime and ensuring safety. This system is critical to sustaining ATP’s ability to graduate over 2,500 students yearly.

“With ATP training 25% of all regional airline new hire pilots, our investment in fleet growth is crucial in keeping pace with demand for ATP-trained pilots,” said Michael Arnold, ATP’s vice president of Marketing. The expansion ensures students gain experience on industry-relevant aircraft, streamlining their transition to airline careers.

NASA awards critical aircraft contract to support Artemis II moon mission

NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center (AFRC) in California has awarded a $430,428.00 sole-source contract to Rolls-Royce for a 24-month “technical variance” extension service.

The contract, awarded on Jan. 30, will enable the continued use of the Rolls-Royce MK511-8 SPEY engine installed on NASA's Gulfstream III aircraft (tail number N808NA). The engine, which is becoming obsolete, requires a technical variance to extend its service life beyond the overhaul due date.

According to contract documents, Rolls-Royce is the only authorized source for the technical variance evaluation, and no other repair station companies or organizations have been authorized to perform such assessments. The contract will cover the analysis required to determine whether an operational extension can be granted, ensuring the engine's airworthiness and allowing the Gulfstream III aircraft to continue operating.

AFRC conducted market research, including research of the NASA Vendor Database and the Small Business Dynamic Search, but did not find any capable businesses other than Rolls-Royce. The contract specialist also searched the Rolls-Royce website and confirmed that the company is the only source of this service.

The award of this contract is critical to support NASA's high-visibility programs, including the Artemis II moon mission scheduled for launch on March 6. The Gulfstream III aircraft will host imaging equipment essential for assessing the Orion capsule's viability during re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere. Any delay in awarding the contract would jeopardize aircraft availability and mission readiness.

NASA’s contracting officer has determined that the anticipated cost to the government will be fair and reasonable. The contract is expected to be completed within 24 months.

This contract is a significant step forward in ensuring the continued operation of NASA's Gulfstream III aircraft and supporting the agency's critical missions. The partnership with Rolls-Royce will enable the AFRC to maintain the airworthiness of the MK511-8 SPEY engine and ensure the success of future NASA programs.

US Drug Enforcement Administration seeks information for ATR-72-600 aircraft acquisition

The United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has issued a Sources Sought Notice to gather market information on the availability of new or used ATR-72-600 twin-engine turbine-powered aircraft. The notice, released on Wednesday, aims to assess market capacity for supplying the aircraft, which will be used for domestic and international deployments.

The DEA's Aviation Division is evaluating procurement options for the ATR-72-600, a commercial passenger/cargo aircraft to be operated as a multi-role passenger/cargo/special-mission aircraft. The agency is seeking responses from all qualified vendors, including small businesses, to provide information on the availability of the aircraft.

The Mission

The ATR-72-600 will be used to deploy government personnel and equipment to enforce controlled substances laws and regulations in the United States. The aircraft will operate in various environments, including mountainous terrain, high terrain elevations, and high ambient temperature and humidity conditions.

The DEA has specified that the twin-engine aircraft must have a minimum seating capacity of four crew members and 68 passengers and must be configured with a cargo door. The agency's Office of Acquisition, based in Springfield, Va., will use the collected data to inform future procurement decisions.

No Contract Award Just Yet

The Sources Sought Notice is not a formal solicitation or commitment to award a contract, but rather a request for market information to help the DEA evaluate its options. The agency is seeking to understand the market capacity for supplying the ATR-72-600 aircraft and to identify potential vendors that can meet its requirements.

Air Force launches market survey to purchase a used Boeing 700‑series jet

The United States Department of War (DoW) issued a formal Request for Information (RFI) on Tuesday seeking data from commercial and government sources on the availability, condition, and cost of a single pre-owned Boeing 700-series aircraft. The information gathered will be used solely for planning and market‑research purposes; participation is strictly voluntary.

The DoW’s interest centers on the Boeing C‑40C “Clipper,” a military derivative of the Boeing 737‑700 Next Generation airliner, specifically the Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) configuration.

The C‑40C is currently operated by the U.S. Air Force to transport high-priority officials—including Cabinet members, members of Congress, and senior defense leaders—on medium-range missions worldwide. The aircraft features a “777‑type” flight deck, a flexible cabin that can be arranged for 42 to 111 passengers, and a suite of secure communications equipment designed for government use.

According to the RFI, the DoW is evaluating the possibility of acquiring a single pre‑owned C‑40C to augment its existing fleet and address emerging mission requirements that demand rapid, reliable global transport of senior personnel. The agency is not yet committing to a purchase; rather, it aims to assess market conditions, determine the aircraft’s current operational status, and estimate acquisition and lifecycle costs.

Interested parties are instructed to submit electronic responses to the Air Force by March 5.

Porter Airlines launches first Western Canada transborder service

Canada-based Porter Airlines announced Monday the start of a seasonal, nonstop flight between Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX). The new route, the carrier’s first transborder service from Western Canada, will operate daily through April 19, expanding the airline’s North American footprint and providing additional options for leisure and business travelers.

The flights will be operated on Porter’s Embraer E195‑E2 aircraft, configured with 132 seats in a “no‑middle‑seat” layout that the airline markets as a higher‑comfort product. The service joins Porter’s existing year-round Toronto‑to‑Phoenix schedule and a seasonal Ottawa‑to‑Phoenix connection, and it is expected to feed further U.S. destinations via Porter’s codeshare partnership with American Airlines.

“Being able to give travelers more convenient options to travel from Vancouver is a pivotal moment for Porter,” said Andrew Pierce, Vice President of Network Planning and Reporting at Porter Airlines. “This route makes Phoenix’s unique desert and mountain landscape more accessible to our passengers in the west and offers travelers a seamless connection to additional destinations in the U.S., through our codeshare partner, American Airlines.”

Industry officials in both cities welcomed the addition. Chad Makovsky, Aviation Director for the Phoenix Airport Authority, said, “We’re excited for Porter’s growth in the Phoenix market. Their partnership and commitment mean that travelers have more high‑quality, convenient options between Phoenix and Canada. We look forward to welcoming travelers on Porter’s first transborder route from Vancouver.”

At Vancouver International Airport, Russ Atkinson, Director of Air Service Development, highlighted the broader economic implications. “We are pleased to support Porter Airlines’ growth at YVR and celebrate this new service from Vancouver. The new non‑stop route to Phoenix strengthens connectivity for British Columbians, adds capacity for a key leisure and business destination, and supports economic activity while providing travelers with greater choice.”

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