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Volato Closes $500 Million Alignment Engine Merger as Former Private Aviation Company Pivots Into AI Infrastructure

Mon, Sep 14, 2026

Volato Closes $500 Million Alignment Engine Merger as Former Private Aviation Company Pivots Into AI Infrastructure

Volato Group has completed its merger with Alignment Engine, marking one of the most dramatic strategic transformations involving a company rooted in private aviation. The transaction closed September 11 after being announced in August at an approximately $500 million valuation for Alignment Engine, according to Volato’s latest SEC filing.

Alignment Engine is developing high-performance AI and data-center infrastructure from an Ohio industrial campus with 154 MW of power currently available and a stated path toward 480 MW. Under the transaction structure, Alignment Engine securityholders are positioned to hold approximately 95% of the combined company on an as-converted, fully diluted basis.

The deal is particularly notable to NVOII because Volato built its identity in private aviation before increasingly moving toward aviation software, AI and technology. Its portfolio still includes aviation-focused platforms such as Vaunt and Parslee, but closing the Alignment Engine transaction pushes the publicly traded parent decisively toward large-scale AI infrastructure.

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Mobile Passport Control Expands to Nearly 40 General Aviation Airports

U.S. Customs and Border Protection says eligible travelers can now use its Mobile Passport Control app at nearly 40 general aviation airports. NBAA identified participating locations that include Dallas Love Field, Fort Lauderdale Executive, Opa-Locka, Scottsdale, Teterboro and Van Nuys. The expansion gives international business aviation passengers another way to prepare information for inspection on arrival. Travelers can use the app to scan a passport, provide a photo and answer required questions before landing. CBP says a submission remains valid for four hours, and groups of up to 12 can be processed together. Passengers must still bring their passports and complete inspection with a CBP officer; using the app does not replace that step. NVOII readers planning an international arrival should confirm that their specific airport offers the service and that each traveler is eligible before relying on it. NBAA notes that actual time savings at GA airports are not yet clear. Stay connected with NVOII for all things BizAv.

NBAA-BACE 2026: Las Vegas Prepares to Welcome the Business Aviation World

Business aviation is heading to Las Vegas as NBAA prepares to bring aircraft, innovation and industry connections together at NBAA-BACE 2026. Taking place October 20–22 at the Las Vegas Convention Center and Henderson Executive Airport, the event will give professionals an opportunity to explore the products, services and ideas shaping the sector’s future. NBAA’s announced aircraft lineup includes Gulfstream, Bombardier, Dassault, Textron Aviation, Pilatus and other leading manufacturers. Alongside the aircraft displays, exhibitors will showcase avionics, cabin interiors, engines and ground-handling equipment, giving owners and operators a chance to assess solutions for their businesses. A new Horizon Stage will bring headline speakers directly onto the exhibition floor, while more than 70 education sessions will address subjects including safety, maintenance, regulation and workforce development. Career support and dedicated networking opportunities will extend the programme beyond aircraft and technology, helping attendees build connections and develop their next professional steps. For the NVOII community, the appeal is practical: a chance to meet industry peers, discover new capabilities and have conversations that could lead to the next partnership, career opportunity or operational improvement. Stay connected with NVOII for all things BizAv.

Business Aviation Connectivity Becomes a Competitive Battleground as Aircraft Owners Demand Airline-Beating Broadband

High-speed internet is becoming one of the most competitive areas of business aircraft modernization as installation centers report sustained demand for low-Earth-orbit satellite systems. Starlink Aviation currently holds a strong market position, while Gogo’s entry into the LEO connectivity market is creating a more direct competitive environment for aircraft owners and operators. The economics are also becoming more important. Starlink has raised business aviation subscription pricing substantially, meaning operators must increasingly compare not only download speeds and coverage but equipment cost, installation downtime and recurring service charges. Existing aircraft may also require supplemental type certificate coverage before a particular antenna and terminal installation can be completed. NVOII sees this competition as an important shift in how aircraft are valued and operated. Reliable broadband is increasingly expected on corporate and charter missions, particularly aboard Gulfstream, Bombardier, Dassault and other long-range aircraft where passengers may spend many hours airborne. Connectivity providers are therefore competing for something much larger than entertainment—the digital infrastructure of the modern business jet cabin. Stay connected with NVOII for all things BizAv.

Mexico Ends Single-Entry Landing Permits for International Charter Operators

Mexico’s Federal Civil Aviation Agency has eliminated single-entry landing permits for foreign charter flights, according to confirmation obtained by Universal Aviation Mexico. International charter operators must now hold a validated blanket permit before operating into Mexican airspace. The change directly affects non-scheduled commercial operations and increases the importance of completing permit validation before departure. Operators arriving without the required authority may face additional scrutiny, sanctions or operational disruption, while private non-revenue flights remain subject to a different permitting framework. NVOII considers the distinction especially important for aircraft managers and trip-support teams whose missions may alternate between private and commercial classifications. A flight’s operational status—not simply the aircraft or passenger profile—determines which approval is required, making accurate documentation and advance coordination essential for upcoming Mexican missions. Stay connected with NVOII for all things BizAv.

Bermuda–Boston Air Ambulance Missing Near Nantucket With Six Aboard

The U.S. Coast Guard is searching for a Gulfstream G100 air ambulance carrying six people after it lost contact during a flight from Bermuda to Boston early Saturday, October 3. The aircraft, registered C-GRJP and operated by Latitude Air Ambulance, disappeared from communications off Nantucket, Massachusetts. Bermuda airport operator Skyport confirmed the flight departed L.F. Wade International Airport at approximately 12:41 a.m. local time with four crew members and two passengers. The Coast Guard said the Federal Aviation Administration alerted its command center at approximately 2 a.m. after contact was lost. An HC-144 aircraft, MH-60 helicopter, motor lifeboat and the Coast Guard cutter William Sparling are involved in the search. Officials said air and surface crews were actively responding, with further information to be released as it becomes available. For NVOII’s aviation community, attention remains on the six people aboard and the crews working to locate them. The latest reports reviewed confirm an ongoing search; authorities have not announced a confirmed outcome or explained the loss of contact. Stay connected with NVOII for all things BizAv.

Aircraft Services Group Opens 30,000-Square-Foot Private Jet Hangar and Headquarters at Sarasota-Bradenton Airport

Aircraft Services Group has officially opened a new 30,000-square-foot private aviation hangar and corporate headquarters at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport [KSRQ] in Florida. The company held its ribbon cutting October 1, establishing the facility as a hub for its expanding private aviation operations. The development includes another 5,000 square feet dedicated to a private lounge, kitchen and offices, along with an onsite 20,000-gallon fuel farm. Aircraft Services Group expects the operation to support jobs across ground operations, aircraft maintenance, pilots and charter sales, while an adjacent parcel provides potential space for a second hangar. For NVOII, the opening is another indication of how Florida’s business aviation infrastructure continues expanding beyond its largest established private-jet gateways. Aircraft Services Group says privacy and security are increasingly influencing facility development, and the company intends to use Sarasota as a base for its wider national operation. Stay connected with NVOII for all things BizAv.