Matt Thurber, editor-in-chief at AIN Media Group, has been flying since 1975 and writing about aviation since 1978 and now has the best job in the world, running editorial operations for Aviation International News, Business Jet Traveler, and FutureFlight.aero. In addition to working as an A&amp;P mechanic on everything from Piper Cubs to turboprops, Matt taught flying at his father’s flight school in Plymouth, Mass., in the early 1980s, flew for an aircraft owner/pilot, and for two summer seasons hunted swordfish near the George’s Banks off the East Coast from a Piper Super Cub. An ATP certificated fixed-wing pilot and CFII and commercial helicopter pilot, Matt is type-rated in the Citation 500 and Gulfstream V/550. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Matt and his team cover the entire aviation scene including business aircraft, helicopters, avionics, safety, manufacturing, charter, fractionals, technology, air transport, advanced air mobility, defense, and other subjects of interest to AIN, BJT, and FutureFlight readers.

Editor-in-Chief

Matt Thurber

Sydney, Australia-based charter operator Navair can now fly into 13 New Zealand airports at any time under a new approval from the New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority. Previously, Navair was restricted to four charter flights per year, with a minimum 28-day separation between flights.
Under its new Part 129 foreign air operator’s certificate approval, Navair can fly to airports in Auckland, Wellington, Queenstown, Christchurch, Hamilton, Napier, Gisborne, Tauranga, Rotorua, Palmerston North, Nelson, Dunedin, and Invercargill. Navair clients no longer need to book trips well in advance to meet the previous restrictions.
“For a long time, we were working around a hard limit of four flights into New Zealand a year,” said Navair CEO Rick Pegus. “It meant we were often planning trans-Tasman charters months in advance, rather than being able to book clients when they needed us on short notice. This certificate changes that completely. We can now fly into New Zealand as often as our clients need, across 13 aerodromes across the country. It’s a significant shift for the business, allowing us to offer the same flexibility on trans-Tasman routes that we’ve built our reputation on in Australia.”
Navair recently added Pilatus PC-24 twinjets to its fleet, and the company also provides charter brokerage services with many other aircraft types.

News and issues concerning the aviation charter and fractional-ownership industries and markets, including company announcements, regulations, new developments and labor issues.

NZ CAA approves Navair for Unlimited Charter Trips to 13 Airports

Previous limits made it difficult to book flights across the Tasman Sea, which lies between Australia and New Zealand

Previously, Navair was restricted to four charter flights per year to New Zealand, and there was a minimum 28-day separation between flights.

NZ CAA Approves Navair for Unlimited Charter Access

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charlotte Bailey

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Social media helping drive demand for new experiences as Middle East market still weak

Luxaviation Meets Charter Demand for New Destinations

Charles Alcock

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

Northern Ireland-based 247 Aviation is set to take over air ambulance work

Gama Aviation Sues over Loss of Air Ambulance Contract

New developments at airports including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

News about simulators and training procedures, as well as workforce.

New Europe facility includes training and operations centers

Flexjet’s New Farnborough Terminal Could Spur Global Growth

Europe-based group is adding a pair of Bombardier Global 8000 jets, plus a 6500

Middle East and Africa Fuel Comlux’s Charter Growth

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

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