State Aviation Journal - Your Best Source of State Aviation News

Star Alliance Paris Charles de Gaulle Lounge Retains Skytrax World’s Best Airline Alliance Lounge Title
The Star Alliance Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport Lounge has once again been named the World’s Best Airline Alliance Lounge at the 2026 Skytrax World Airline Awards, marking the lounge’s third consecutive win in the category. The Star Alliance Lounge at Los Angeles International Airport also secured second place, with Star Alliance taking both the […]
Sky Harbour and Chicago Executive Airport Break Ground on New Home Base Operator
Photo – 16-Acre Private Hangar Development Introduces a New Model for Business Aviation to Chicago and Generates Significant Regional Economic Impact – Sky Harbour Group Corporation and Chicago Executive Airport commemorated the groundbreaking of a new 16-acre private aviation campus last week, marking one of the largest private infrastructure investments in the airport’s history and […]
Scottsdale Airport Schedules Routine Runway Maintenance
Scottsdale Airport will temporarily close Runway 03/21 and all taxiways in October for scheduled pavement preservation maintenance designed to extend the life of the existing airfield. The routine preservation project does not expand or lengthen the runway, change its weight-bearing capacity or enable the airport to accommodate larger aircraft. It is separate from the ongoing […]
“Warbird Pilot for a Day” Leads Silent Auction for Moonlight Swing at CAF Airbase Georgia
Moonlight Swing attendees Oct. 17 will have a unique opportunity to bid on a special silent auction package, “Warbird Pilot for a Day,” which involves flying in three Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Airbase Georgia aircraft. The aircraft will include a Boeing N2S Stearman biplane trainer, an LT-6 Mosquito trainer with aerobatics, and the Airbase’s most […]

State News

North Dakota Airline Boarding Update for August

The North Dakota Aeronautics Commission (NDAC) reports that the state’s eight commercial service airports recorded 108,460 airline passenger boardings during August 2026, a decrease of approximately 4% compared to August 2025. Airlines provided a total of 129,976 available departure seats during the month, a decrease of 6% from the previous year. Despite the reduction in seating capacity, the statewide average aircraft load factor increased from 82% to 84%, indicating that a greater percentage of available airline seats were occupied. Airline operational reliability remained strong throughout August, with 1,758 successful departures and only five flight cancellations statewide, representing a cancellation rate of just 0.3%. Through the first eight months of 2026, North Dakota airports recorded 868,664 passenger boardings, a decrease of 2.4% compared to the same period in 2025. Despite the modest decline, year-to-date passenger boardings remain the second-highest on record for the state. Additional Airport Information: Jamestown Regional Airport: The airport’s primary runway was closed for rehabilitation from August 14–30, resulting in the temporary suspension of scheduled commercial airline service during this period. Individual Airport August Passenger Records: Fargo Hector International Airport established a new August passenger record with 53,392 boardings, surpassing its previous August record of 50,867 set in 2025. Devils Lake Regional Airport established a new August passenger record with 1,124 boardings, surpassing its previous August record of 946 set in 2025. View the August Airline Boarding Report August 2026 Statewide Airline Passenger Statistics Total Airline Passenger Boardings: 108,460 Available Airline Departure Seats: 129,976 Average Aircraft Load Factor: 84% Number of Successful Airline Departure Flights: 1,758 Number of Airline Departure Flight Cancellations: 5 Airline Departure Flight Cancellation Rate: 0.3%
Ashley Peterson Launches Carolina Flight Deals, Built for Carolina Airports

Carolina Flight Deals℠ launched earlier this month, a subscription flight deal service that searches only airports in North and South Carolina. Founded by travel creator Ashley Peterson, the list sends curated economy fares out of all 16 airports across both states, including smaller markets like Wilmington, Fayetteville, New Bern, and Greenville that national deal services routinely leave out. Membership is $79 a year, with 40 percent off for launch subscribers only. Most national deal services search the biggest hubs first. A traveler in Wilmington or Myrtle Beach opens the email and finds fares out of JFK, Atlanta, or Newark, which means the deal is only a deal if you are willing to drive four hours to catch it. Carolina Flight Deals℠ inverts that. Every fare it sends departs from an airport a Carolinas traveler can actually get to. “Your home airport doesn’t have to be a hub for you to get a good fare,” said Ashley Peterson, founder of Carolina Flight Deals℠. “The big lists look at the big airports first and get around to everybody else later, if they get around to it at all. Nobody is sending deals out of New Bern. We only look at North and South Carolina, so when something lands in your inbox, it actually works from where you live.” Peterson built Ashley Gets Around®, a travel platform with over 100,000 subscribers and 200,000 followers, on premium cabin and business class fares, and spent years telling her audience she had no plans to cover economy. Carolina Flight Deals℠ is the reversal, and she is direct about why. “I said for years I would never do economy deals,” Peterson said. “Then I kept hearing from people who loved the fares and could never use them. A $1,900 business-class seat to Tokyo is a fun email to open but a useless one for most people. This is the version my neighbors can actually book.” Peterson plans to bring the same model to additional regional markets in 2027. To subscribe or learn more, visit carolinaflightdeals.com

National News

NBAA Names Hubbard as Interim COO, Williams as SVP, Operations

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Board of Directors has named Dan Hubbard as interim chief operating officer, and designated Hubbard as the association’s day-to-day lead while President and CEO Ed Bolen takes a leave of absence for cancer treatment. Hubbard has been with NBAA for 22 years and has served as its senior vice president for communications since 2008. “We are wishing Ed a full recovery as he takes the time he needs to focus on his health,” said John Witzig, chair of NBAA’s Board of Directors. “Dan has a strong strategic view of NBAA’s mission and all its initiatives. As NBAA’s interim COO, he will oversee day-to-day operations during Ed’s absence, including at NBAA-BACE, with support from a leadership team with decades of experience, and a proven track record of serving the business aviation community with excellence.” In addition to driving communications and shaping NBAA’s brand, Hubbard has been deeply involved with NBAA’s external affairs, partnerships and advocacy initiatives in the U.S. and globally, including NBAA conventions on four continents. “NBAA is well-positioned to continue operating seamlessly and serving members strategically and effectively, and I am honored to step in and lead our dedicated team,” Hubbard said. “I have every confidence in our ability to execute an outstanding NBAA-BACE next month, while continuing to advance the industry’s policy agenda and supporting the operational and other needs of our members.” NBAA also announced that Heidi Williams will be elevated to senior vice president, operations, filling a role left by the retirement of Douglas Carr this past July. Williams will lead the Operations team. She currently oversees the association’s policies and coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and other government and industry stakeholders as vice president, air traffic services and infrastructure. Williams also leads the association’s emerging technologies initiatives and airspace and air traffic modernization efforts. Other aviation associations commented on NBAA’s leadership change and the news about Ed Bolen, including AOPA and EAA. The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) extended well wishes to Ed for successful treatment and recovery. “I have known Ed since I started at the General Aviation Manufacturers Association in 2005. Not only is he an extremely effective leader, Ed is a genuinely kind man whose passion and dedication to business aviation have made the whole GA community better. We look forward to having back in the left seat soon,” said AOPA Acting Co-President Katie Pribyl. “I had the pleasure of recently spending some time with Ed. His leadership and commitment to general aviation are unwavering. On behalf of all AOPA members, we wish him a full and speedy recovery,” said AOPA Board of Trustees Chairman Luke Wippler. Jack J. Pelton, CEO and Chairman of the Board of the Experimental Aircraft Association said, “EAA offers its best wishes to Ed Bolen and sends our hopes for a full recovery. While Ed rightly focuses on his health, NBAA is in good hands with its current experienced team. We also offer Dan Hubbard, Heidi Williams, and the rest of NBAA our continuing support as we continue to work together to advance and benefit aviation.” NBAA is excited to welcome the global industry to the association’s Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE), the world’s most powerful business aviation event. The show will take place Oct. 20-22 at the Las Vegas Convention Center and Henderson Executive Airport (HND), bringing together state-of-the-art aircraft and the leaders pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in aviation.
InfraSolutions Unveils AVIAS 2.0: A New Era in Airport Management

InfraSolutions®, LLC, a McFarland-Johnson, Inc. company, has unveiled AVIAS® 2.0, the next generation of its airport management and planning technology platform. Purpose-built to empower airports with smarter decisions across the entire lifecycle, AVIAS 2.0 brings together advanced analytics, flexible workflows, geospatial intelligence, multi-airport control, and AI-powered assistance in a single, modern platform. Since its launch in May 2024, AVIAS has helped airports manage information and processes spanning capital planning, forecasting, inspections, pavement management, obstruction analysis, land development, and terminal planning. AVIAS 2.0 builds on that foundation with new capabilities for today’s increasingly complex airport needs. “AVIAS 2.0 is a game changer for airport leaders seeking to connect information, people, and decisions like never before,” said Jason Shevrin, VP and Director of Technology for InfraSolutions. “We built this platform for today’s fast-evolving airport environment, where multiple stakeholders, advanced data, complex funding, and ongoing scenario planning are the norm. AVIAS 2.0 unites these elements in a more seamless, intelligent, and actionable environment.” AVIAS 2.0 features a robust platform architecture that empowers organizations managing one or multiple airports. The updated interface is intentionally standardized, so AVIAS looks and feels the same wherever it is deployed. Users benefit from consistent navigation, dashboards, and branding, reinforcing AVIAS as a unified, recognizable platform and reducing variation across implementations. Seamless workflows and location-aware data across airport locations are complemented by an improved user experience, faster GIS and mapping performance, and greater flexibility to configure airport-specific business rules and processes. What’s New in AVIAS 2.0 Multi-airport management and a location-aware platform enable seamless oversight and rapid switching between operational sites, reinforcing a unified AVIAS experience. Enterprise-grade security utilizes Amazon Web Services (AWS) and its independently audited cloud infrastructure and security controls, aligned with widely recognized standards including SOC and ISO 27001, to ensure robust protection for AVIAS. Secure and resilient cloud architecture, leveraging AWS services for secure application hosting, two-factor authentication (2FA), encrypted data storage, backup and recovery, and managed AI capabilities, providing a scalable, resilient foundation for airport operations. Decision Support integrates dashboards, real-time KPIs, and clear status context to provide actionable insights for faster, more informed decisions. Configurable, dynamic workflows and permissions adapt to each airport’s unique structure, streamlining operations as needs evolve. Advanced forecasting, scenario analysis, and financial evaluation tools give airports greater control over planning, operational triggers, and investment opportunities. Enhanced GIS, visualization, and lifecycle management deliver intuitive data interaction and greater asset visibility. Improved lifecycle management for assets and obstructions, offering greater visibility into historical changes. Modernized FAA and operational integrations support the latest NOTAM standards. Expanded development and financial scenario capabilities for evaluating airport property and investment opportunities. AVA, the AVIAS virtual assistant, streamlines information access and workflows with AI-powered natural-language interaction. The AVIAS platform continues to bring together specialized applications that address key areas of airport planning and management. AEROCLEAR™ provides enhanced obstruction and asset lifecycle tracking, helping airports understand changes to critical features over time. CAPLAN™ provides capital improvement and funding management with expanded permissions, configurable approval workflows, and greater control over project and financial processes. DYNAMIC ANALYSIS TOOL® delivers forecasting and scenario-based planning with airport-specific forecasting factors and configurable financial and planning triggers. FLOW™ supports terminal demand and capacity analysis, helping airports evaluate facilities and operational requirements from the curb through the gate. INSPECT™ supports airport inspections, asset management, and operational workflows, with updates to FAA NOTAM integration and weather information. RUMBLE™ supports pavement management with an improved user experience and enhanced map performance. SITES™ supports airport land and development planning with improved highest-and-best-use analysis and greater flexibility for financial scenarios. Together, these applications create a connected environment where airports can transform operational, financial, geographic, and planning information into actionable decisions. The addition of AVA, AVIAS 2.0’s AI-powered virtual assistant, delivers a new level of accessibility and productivity, allowing users to quickly find information, manage documents and insights, and navigate complex tasks using intuitive, conversational commands. “AI should make airport technology more accessible, not more complicated,” added Shevrin. “AVA provides a natural way for users to interact with the wealth of information in their airport systems, helping teams spend less time searching for information and more time making informed decisions.” From Data to Decisions Today’s airports face constant change: shifting demand, funding, infrastructure needs, development opportunities, and operational constraints. AVIAS 2.0 brings these considerations together, enabling organizations to evaluate scenarios and make informed decisions in a unified environment. Instead of treating planning, operations, and capital management as separate silos, AVIAS 2.0 connects information across disciplines, making it easier to analyze, update, and act on data. “AVIAS is about more than adding features,” said Shevrin. “It’s about creating a stronger link between the information airports collect and the decisions they need to make.”

International News

Global Airport Passenger Traffic Reaches Record 9.8 Billion in 2025, ACI-World Reports

Global airports carried a record 9.8 billion passengers in 2025, Airports Council International (ACI) World reported, while air cargo volumes also reached an all-time high. But momentum has cooled in 2026, with passenger growth slowing amid mounting geopolitical and economic headwinds, even as cargo continues to expand. The figures, published in ACI World’s 2026 Annual World Airport Traffic Report (WATR), draw on data from 2,817 commercial airports worldwide – ACI World’s largest dataset to date – capturing an estimated 97% of scheduled global passenger traffic and offering the most comprehensive picture yet of how the world moves through its airports. “The 2025 results confirm what this industry has shown year after year: long-term demand for air travel remains strong, and more capacity will be needed,” said Justin Erbacci, ACI World’s Director General. “Meeting that demand means expanding capacity while getting far more out of the infrastructure we already have. It also means advocating for regulation that enables investment rather than blocking it and never losing sight of the fact that airports are strategic assets for their communities.” Air cargo reached a record 131.2 million tonnes over the year, while aircraft movements climbed to 103.1 million. Yet the headline numbers mask a more unsettled picture emerging in 2026. Geopolitical tensions, airspace disruption and rising costs have begun to reshape the industry’s near-term outlook, the report warns. 2025: the year in numbers SAJ photos by Andrew Stevens International travel drove the growth, with passenger traffic up 6.1%, comfortably outpacing domestic growth of 1.7%. Global air cargo rose 3.3%, while aircraft movements increased 2.0%. Passenger growth was strong across almost every region. Africa led the way with a 9.0% rise in traffic, followed by the Middle East (6.5%), Asia-Pacific (5.1%), and Latin America and the Caribbean (4.5%). Europe also posted solid growth, at 4.2%. North America was the exception, with traffic dipping 0.7% amid softer domestic demand. 2026 so far: turbulence beneath the surface The opening months of this year have told a more complicated story. Global passenger traffic reached approximately 4.7 billion in the first half of 2026, up just 0.6% on the same period last year, a marked slowdown from 2025’s pace. Growth persisted across Africa, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Asia-Pacific, while North America remained largely flat. The Middle East saw the sharpest decline, with traffic down 21%, as the region bore the impact of the escalating crisis and airspace disruption. Yet for all the near-term volatility, the report’s underlying message is one of confidence: the long-run drivers of aviation demand, i.e. rising populations, growing incomes, expanding connectivity and an enduring appetite for mobility remain firmly intact. The full 2026 Annual World Airport Traffic Report offers detailed global and regional analysis of passenger traffic, air cargo and aircraft movements, alongside airport and country rankings and ACI World’s latest traffic outlook.
MedAire Deepens Ties with GoCrisis, Bringing the Crisis Management Specialist into the MedAire Ecosystem

MedAire today announced a strategic investment in GoCrisis, moving the companies’ four-year aviation relationship beyond strategic partnership and toward closer business integration. Through the investment, GoCrisis will leverage MedAire’s IT, finance, and back-office business infrastructure, while both organizations retain their identities, organizational capabilities and established operating roles. Bill Dolny and Elmarie Marais “When a serious aviation event affects crew or passengers, an operator must make decisions about its people while maintaining ongoing operations. Those affected may be far from home and outside their usual support networks, and their medical, security, practical and family needs may continue after the immediate event. The closer relationship is intended to let clients retain the decisions that belong to them while MedAire carries more of the operational burden of bringing the right support around their people,” said Bill Dolny, CEO, MedAire. MedAire supports aviation clients around the clock through medical, security and operational-assistance teams and a global network of vetted providers, drawing on 40 years of aviation experience. Founded in 2014, GoCrisis supports organizations across industries through family assistance, emergency contact centers, crisis communications, field response and recovery. Together, MedAire and GoCrisis connect aviation clients to a crisis-response network of more than 100 crisis experts and 2,000 GoResponders, with access to more than 100,000 emergency response specialists through partners in more than 90 countries. The network is supported by 29 Assistance Centers, 25 Security Centers and more than 91,000 vetted providers. “After years of working side by side, our organizations know where our responsibilities meet during an aviation incident. MedAire and GoCrisis share a philosophy: prepare thoroughly, respond calmly and put people first. Together, we provide an unmatched support capability for the industry when a serious incident impacts their operation,” Dolny continues. The distinction for aviation is the combination of two established operations: MedAire’s around-the-clock aviation medical, security and operational support, and GoCrisis’s specialist support for affected people and families through recovery. The teams can prepare together before an event and coordinate medical and security guidance, local provider support, family assistance, communications and recovery when one occurs. The human consequences of an incident do not end when the immediate operational problem is resolved. Survivors may need continuing care and practical support, families may need reliable information, and organizations may need help coordinating with the services and authorities involved. “At the heart of everything we do is a simple question: If this was my family, what would they need?” said Elmarie Marais, CEO of GoCrisis. “Supporting someone who has lived through an accident is complex. It requires careful coordination among emergency services, authorities, insurers, and NGOs to create a seamless network of support. Care for injured survivors can be long-term and may involve life-changing injuries.” GoCrisis will continue serving clients outside aviation as it does today. Aviation clients will continue working with their established teams while the companies align more of the operations behind their response.

Unmanned Systems

Commercial Drone Alliance Welcomes Christopher Todd, Founder and President of Airborne Response to Its Board of Directors

The Commercial Drone Alliance (CDA) has announced that Christopher Todd, Founder and President of Airborne Response Corp has joined its Board of Directors. The CDA’s Board acts on behalf of the entire membership, helping to shape the organization’s strategic direction. Christopher Todd Todd has over 30 years of business technology experience advising Fortune 500 companies, READ MORE
Dronamics to Shape the Integration of Large Drones into European Airspace

Europe is advancing the integration of large drones into its airspace, a necessary step towards uncrewed aviation at scale. Launched at the EUROCONTROL headquarters in Brussels on the 1st of September, the SESAR IRINA2 project brings together leading European public and private aviation organizations with a common goal to set the standard and protocols for READ MORE

Aviation Education

New Aviation Safety Campaign Seeks to Change How Pilots View Go-Arounds

Go-Arounds Are Awesome!, a new aviation safety initiative founded by expert flight instructor and pilot examiner Jim Pitman, officially launches this month with a campaign to help pilots view a go-around as a normal, positive decision—not a failed landing attempt. The campaign addresses a familiar hazard in general aviation: the temptation to continue an unstable READ MORE
“Warbird Pilot for a Day” Leads Silent Auction for Moonlight Swing at CAF Airbase Georgia

Moonlight Swing attendees Oct. 17 will have a unique opportunity to bid on a special silent auction package, “Warbird Pilot for a Day,” which involves flying in three Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Airbase Georgia aircraft. The aircraft will include a Boeing N2S Stearman biplane trainer, an LT-6 Mosquito trainer with aerobatics, and the Airbase’s most READ MORE

Global Airport Passenger Traffic Reaches Record 9.8 Billion in 2025, ACI-World Reports

September 28, 2026September 28, 2026 Kim Stevens

Global airports carried a record 9.8 billion passengers in 2025, Airports Council International (ACI) World reported, while air cargo volumes also reached an all-time high. But momentum has cooled in 2026, with passenger growth slowing amid mounting geopolitical and economic headwinds, even as cargo continues to expand. The figures, published in ACI World’s 2026 Annual […]

North Dakota Airline Boarding Update for August

September 28, 2026September 28, 2026 Kim Stevens

The North Dakota Aeronautics Commission (NDAC) reports that the state’s eight commercial service airports recorded 108,460 airline passenger boardings during August 2026, a decrease of approximately 4% compared to August 2025. Airlines provided a total of 129,976 available departure seats during the month, a decrease of 6% from the previous year. Despite the reduction in […]

Ashley Peterson Launches Carolina Flight Deals, Built for Carolina Airports

September 28, 2026September 28, 2026 Kim Stevens

Carolina Flight Deals℠ launched earlier this month, a subscription flight deal service that searches only airports in North and South Carolina. Founded by travel creator Ashley Peterson, the list sends curated economy fares out of all 16 airports across both states, including smaller markets like Wilmington, Fayetteville, New Bern, and Greenville that national deal services […]

Four Prominent Virginians to Be Inducted Into the Virginia Aviation Hall of Fame

September 28, 2026September 28, 2026 Kim Stevens

Four prominent Virginians will be inducted on November 7th as members of the Class of 2026 of the Virginia Aviation Hall of Fame. The induction dinner and ceremony will be hosted by the Virginia Aeronautical Historical Society at the elite Ford’s Colony Country Club in Williamsburg, Va. The four inductees include, in alphabetical order, Robert […]

Transportation Secretary Announces $84.4 Million for Airport Improvements in Texas, North Carolina, and Wyoming

September 27, 2026September 27, 2026 Kim Stevens

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy has announced the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investing $84.4 million in Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grants in Texas, North Carolina, and Wyoming airports. These dollars will go towards strengthening and modernizing essential facilities, improving airfield infrastructure, enhancing passenger amenities, and addressing needs that support safe and efficient airport […]

Wyoming Airports Generate $3.5 Billion in Annual Economic Impact

September 27, 2026September 27, 2026 Kim Stevens

The Wyoming Department of Transportation Aeronautics Division has released the 2026 Statewide Aviation Economic Impact Study, highlighting the significant role Wyoming public airports play in supporting the state’s economy, local communities and overall quality of life. Of Wyoming’s 40 publicly owned, public-use airports, the study examined the 34 paved commercial service and general aviation airports, […]

MedAire Deepens Ties with GoCrisis, Bringing the Crisis Management Specialist into the MedAire Ecosystem

September 23, 2026September 23, 2026 Kim Stevens

MedAire today announced a strategic investment in GoCrisis, moving the companies’ four-year aviation relationship beyond strategic partnership and toward closer business integration. Through the investment, GoCrisis will leverage MedAire’s IT, finance, and back-office business infrastructure, while both organizations retain their identities, organizational capabilities and established operating roles. “When a serious aviation event affects crew or […]

MSP No. 1 Mega Airport in North America for Third Straight Year

September 21, 2026September 21, 2026 Kim Stevens

Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) has been named the best mega airport in North America for customer and traveler satisfaction for the third consecutive year, according to the annual JD Power North America Airport Satisfaction Study. MSP ranked No. 1 in all seven dimensions measured by the study: ease of travel through airport; level of […]

National Advanced Air Mobility Industry Forum Returns Oct. 15 as Industry Shifts from Demonstration to Production

September 21, 2026September 21, 2026 Kim Stevens

The National Advanced Air Mobility Center of Excellence (NAAMCE) will host the fifth annual National Advanced Air Mobility Industry Forum (NAAMIF) on Oct. 15, bringing together aircraft manufacturers, federal regulators, military leaders, investors and infrastructure providers for a working session on what it will take to move advanced air mobility from flight test into production […]

NBAA Names Hubbard as Interim COO, Williams as SVP, Operations

September 21, 2026September 21, 2026 Kim Stevens

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Board of Directors has named Dan Hubbard as interim chief operating officer, and designated Hubbard as the association’s day-to-day lead while President and CEO Ed Bolen takes a leave of absence for cancer treatment. Hubbard has been with NBAA for 22 years and has served as its senior vice […]

Star Alliance Paris Charles de Gaulle Lounge Retains Skytrax World’s Best Airline Alliance Lounge Title

Sky Harbour and Chicago Executive Airport Break Ground on New Home Base Operator

Scottsdale Airport Schedules Routine Runway Maintenance

“Warbird Pilot for a Day” Leads Silent Auction for Moonlight Swing at CAF Airbase Georgia