Latest news with #BombardierGlobal8000
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Exclusive: Trump admin seeks new jet to shuttle around Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel
The FBI is seeking an ultra-long-range business jet to fly agents and other bureau personnel to far-flung global locations for counterterrorism response, 'high-risk operations,' and other 'sensitive missions,' according to a tranche of federal procurement documents reviewed by The Independent. Alongside the government's request for proposals, a related statement of objectives says the aircraft 'will also support executive transportation requirements for the FBI Director and the U.S. Attorney General,' namely, Kash Patel and Pam Bondi, who have both faced withering scrutiny in recent weeks over their handling of the fallout from the non-release of the Epstein files. In May, the U.S. Government Accountability Office reportedly initiated an investigation into Patel's supposedly robust personal use of the FBI's existing fleet of private jets. However, a Department of Justice official said on Wednesday that the plan had not been approved by Bondi, who is not in favor of the purchase. 'The FBI has an independent procurement process for the director and their agents,' DOJ spokesman Gates McGavick told The Independent. 'Neither the attorney general nor other DOJ leadership knew about this and see no need for its use in Main Justice.' 'Main Justice' is the colloquial name for DOJ headquarters. The plane will be required to fly at speeds of Mach 0.83 or higher, with Mach 0.85 listed as 'preferred.' It must have a minimum range of 7,000 nautical miles, be able to seat at least 12 passengers, three crew, and 1,000 lbs. of cargo, the RFP states. That means the feds need something along the lines of a Gulfstream G800, which seats 19 and can travel 7,000 nautical miles at Mach 0.90, or a Bombardier Global 8000, which seats 19 and can travel 8,000 nautical miles at Mach 0.94. The RFP, which was issued July 11, says the bureau's Critical Incident Response Group will lease the aircraft for an initial one-year period, with the possibility of four one-year extensions, after which the government will have the option to purchase the jet outright. The documents do not explain how the plane will be shared between one of the FBI's most elite tactical units and two of the administration's highest-ranking officials. No prices are included in the solicitation paperwork, but the G800 starts at about $72.5 million, while the base model Global 8000 lists for roughly $78 million. The FBI paid $2.4 million to lease a Gulfstream V for six months in 2016, after a procurement process marked by numerous deficiencies, according to an audit the following year by the DOJ's Office of the Inspector General. Craig Holman, a governmental ethics and campaign finance expert at Washington, D.C. watchdog nonprofit Public Citizen, says the expenditure shows the Trump team going against its relentless claims of 'cost-efficiency.' 'For an administration that wants to put on a veneer of cutting waste, fraud and abuse in government spending, it sure doesn't have any qualms when it comes to lavish spending on expensive new jets and other luxuries for itself,' Holman told The Independent. This will be the third luxury aircraft so far being budgeted for travel by cabinet officials and the president, according to Holman. 'There is the extravagant Boeing [747] being bought from Qatar for Trump, a Gulfstream IV luxury jet for Homeland Security Director Kristi Noem, and now, an opulent long-range jet for FBI Director Patel and Attorney General Bondi for their traveling comfort. Meanwhile, the administration is slashing spending on health care, education and worker safety for the rest of us.' Trump has said Qatar is 'gifting' the 747 to the Department of Defense for his use as an especially opulent Air Force One, but the Air Force itself pegs the cost of modifying the plane for such use at some $400 million. An FBI spokesman told The Independent that the new aircraft lease will in fact be more cost-effective. 'The plane in question is for critical functions such as hostage rescue team deployments, international operations, SWAT ops, and other national security related purposes – but the current lease structure is unnecessarily wasteful,' the spokesman said. 'As we've done with other assets, like moving the headquarters building, the FBI is evaluating available options to better serve the American people at a much lower and more efficient cost to the taxpayer.' As for the business jet to be split between Bondi, Patel, and the FBI, the successful bidder will deliver the private jet to the bureau's Aviation Operations Hangar at the Manassas Regional Airport in Manassas, Virginia, by next summer. 'The aircraft shall be fully mission operational and flight-ready, with all required Government-installed modifications (including secure communications suite), no later than June 24, 2026,' the RFP tells prospective sellers. In addition to hardened comms, the cabin must have two lavatories, one crew rest seat, one galley with microwave, coffee maker, refrigerator, sink and ice and beverage storage, according to the request. The bureau's 'preferred' features include four 'cabin zones with solid dividers, and a 'dedicated crew rest area with layflat seats/bunk,' it says. As far as cosmetics go, the aircraft's interior components – seating, cabinetry, flooring, lighting – must be in 'good condition, with no excessive wear, staining or damage,' the RFP states. Before delivery, the request says the jet 'shall be thoroughly cleaned inside and out,' and exterior paint 'shall be free of major defects, corrosion, or significant fading.' Further, the plane should have less than 2,500 hours of flight time, and be less than five years old. The contractor will be responsible for all scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, to be conducted at FAA-approved facilities, according to the RFP. The FBI will oversee minor routine tasks such as tire and fluid replacement, as well as 'minor repairs.' The flight crews will be provided by the FBI, which will 'maintain sole operational control,' the RFP states, adding that the bureau is self-insured up to $5 million for all flight operations. 'In excess of this limit, [the] FBI will seek Congressional appropriations,' the RFP says. In the six months since President Trump began his second stint in the White House, the administration has, among other things, decimated school lunch programs, thrown millions off of Medicaid, and enacted tax cuts that will boost incomes for the wealthy while raising taxes on working Americans. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Exclusive: Pam Bondi says she doesn't want new jet after The Independent exposes FBI plan for new airplane to shuttle her around
The FBI is seeking a new private jet, which will be used not only by the bureau's elite Critical Incident Response Group, but also for 'executive transportation' by FBI Director Kash Patel and Attorney General Pam Bondi. However, following a report on Wednesday by The Independent about the intended acquisition, a spokesman for Bondi now claims the AG is against the purchase and wants nothing to do with it. 'The FBI has an independent procurement process for the director and their agents,' Department of Justice spokesman Gates McGavick told The Independent. 'Neither the attorney general nor other DOJ leadership knew about this and see no need for its use in Main Justice.' 'Main Justice' is the colloquial name for DOJ headquarters. A DOJ source said Bondi would like to see the FBI's request for proposals rescinded, and that she is happy with her present travel arrangements. At the same time, an FBI spokesman told The Independent that obtaining a new jet will actually be a money-saver for taxpayers. 'The plane in question is for critical functions such as hostage rescue team deployments, international operations, SWAT ops, and other national security related purposes – but the current lease structure is unnecessarily wasteful,' the spokesman said. 'As we've done with other assets, like moving the headquarters building, the FBI is evaluating available options to better serve the American people at a much lower and more efficient cost to the taxpayer.' The ultra-long-range business jet is meant to fly agents and other bureau personnel to far-flung global locations for counterterrorism response, 'high-risk operations,' and other 'sensitive missions,' according to procurement documents reviewed by The Independent. Alongside the government's request for proposals, a related statement of objectives says the aircraft 'will also support executive transportation requirements for the FBI Director and the U.S. Attorney General,' namely, Patel and Bondi. The feds want a plane that flies at speeds of Mach 0.83 or higher, with Mach 0.85 listed in the RFP as 'preferred.' It must have a minimum range of 7,000 nautical miles, be able to seat at least 12 passengers, three crew, and 1,000 lbs. of cargo, the RFP states. That means the feds need something along the lines of a Gulfstream G800, which seats 19 and can travel 7,000 nautical miles at Mach 0.90, or a Bombardier Global 8000, which seats 19 and can travel 8,000 nautical miles at Mach 0.94. No prices are included in the solicitation paperwork, but the G800 starts at about $72.5 million, while the base model Global 8000 lists for roughly $78 million. The FBI paid $2.4 million to lease a Gulfstream V for six months in 2016, after a procurement process marked by numerous deficiencies, according to an audit the following year by the DOJ's Office of the Inspector General. In May, Patel told legislators that the FBI was spending far beyond its means and was $1 billion in the red. The 45-year-old Las Vegas resident has been pilloried in recent months for his apparently robust use of the FBI's private jet fleet to make personal trips. Government officials are required to reimburse the cost of any flights – at commercial coach fares – that are not for official business. Patel has reportedly used government aircraft to visit Nashville, Tennessee, where his country-singer girlfriend lives, to go to hockey games in New York City, to go to Las Vegas and to attend at least one UFC fight in Miami, where he sat ringside with President Trump. In May, Senate Democrats requested that the U.S. Government Accountability Office look into Patel's travel on government planes, which he is required to do, while at the same time making them unavailable for FBI emergencies. 'Those aircraft have been procured or leased specifically to support operational needs,' former FBI counterterrorism official Christopher O'Leary told CBS News in April. 'The concern is that the routine use of them by the director and deputy director for personal travel could take a critical resource offline when they are sometimes needed at a moment's notice.' Craig Holman, a governmental ethics and campaign finance expert at Washington, D.C. watchdog nonprofit Public Citizen, says the expenditure shows the Trump team going against its relentless claims of 'cost-efficiency.' 'For an administration that wants to put on a veneer of cutting waste, fraud and abuse in government spending, it sure doesn't have any qualms when it comes to lavish spending on expensive new jets and other luxuries for itself,' Holman told The Independent. '... Meanwhile, the administration is slashing spending on health care, education and worker safety for the rest of us.' Since Trump retook the White House in January, the administration has decimated school lunch programs, thrown millions off of Medicaid and enacted tax cuts that will boost incomes for the wealthy while raising taxes on working Americans, experts say. Before he took over as head of the FBI, Patel slammed then-FBI Director Christopher Wray for using bureau aircraft for personal trips, telling his podcast audience that Wray's flights should be 'ground[ed]. (Wray said he reimbursed the government for all personal use.) Bondi and Patel clashed earlier this year over the so-called Epstein files, the FBI documents related to its investigation of the notorious sex offender whose ties to the rich and famous, including Donald Trump, are now well-known. 'Dear Director Patel, Before you came into office, I requested the full and complete files related to Jeffrey Epstein,' Bondi wrote in a February 27 letter. '... Late yesterday; I learned from a source that the FBI Field Office in New York was in possession of thousands of pages of documents related to the investigation and indictment of Epstein. Despite my repeated requests, the FBI never disclosed the existence of these files.' The files have still not been released, with Bondi recently announcing that Epstein's hotly anticipated 'client list,' which she once said was 'on her desk' and ready for public dissemination, did not in fact exist.
The Independent
5 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Exclusive: Pam Bondi says she doesn't want new jet after The Independent exposes FBI plan for new airplane to shuttle her around
The FBI is seeking a new private jet, which will be used not only by the bureau's elite Critical Incident Response Group, but also for 'executive transportation' by FBI Director Kash Patel and Attorney General Pam Bondi. However, following a report on Wednesday by The Independent about the intended acquisition, a spokesman for Bondi now claims the AG is against the purchase and wants nothing to do with it. 'The FBI has an independent procurement process for the director and their agents,' Department of Justice spokesman Gates McGavick told The Independent. 'Neither the attorney general nor other DOJ leadership knew about this and see no need for its use in Main Justice.' 'Main Justice' is the colloquial name for DOJ headquarters. A DOJ source said Bondi would like to see the FBI's request for proposals rescinded, and that he is happy with her present travel arrangements. At the same time, an FBI spokesman told The Independent that obtaining a new jet will actually be a money-saver for taxpayers. 'The plane in question is for critical functions such as hostage rescue team deployments, international operations, SWAT ops, and other national security related purposes – but the current lease structure is unnecessarily wasteful,' the spokesman said. 'As we've done with other assets, like moving the headquarters building, the FBI is evaluating available options to better serve the American people at a much lower and more efficient cost to the taxpayer.' The ultra-long-range business jet is meant to fly agents and other bureau personnel to far-flung global locations for counterterrorism response, 'high-risk operations,' and other 'sensitive missions,' according to procurement documents reviewed by The Independent. Alongside the government's request for proposals, a related statement of objectives says the aircraft 'will also support executive transportation requirements for the FBI Director and the U.S. Attorney General,' namely, Patel and Bondi. The feds want a plane that flies at speeds of Mach 0.83 or higher, with Mach 0.85 listed in the RFP as 'preferred.' It must have a minimum range of 7,000 nautical miles, be able to seat at least 12 passengers, three crew, and 1,000 lbs. of cargo, the RFP states. That means the feds need something along the lines of a Gulfstream G800, which seats 19 and can travel 7,000 nautical miles at Mach 0.90, or a Bombardier Global 8000, which seats 19 and can travel 8,000 nautical miles at Mach 0.94. No prices are included in the solicitation paperwork, but the G800 starts at about $72.5 million, while the base model Global 8000 lists for roughly $78 million. The FBI paid $2.4 million to lease a Gulfstream V for six months in 2016, after a procurement process marked by numerous deficiencies, according to an audit the following year by the DOJ's Office of the Inspector General. In May, Patel told legislators that the FBI was spending far beyond its means and was $1 billion in the red. The 45-year-old Las Vegas resident has been pilloried in recent months for his apparently robust use of the FBI's private jet fleet to make personal trips. Government officials are required to reimburse the cost of any flights – at commercial coach fares – that are not for official business. Patel has reportedly used government aircraft to visit Nashville, Tennessee, where his country-singer girlfriend lives, to go to hockey games in New York City, to go to Las Vegas and to attend at least one UFC fight in Miami, where he sat ringside with President Trump. In May, Senate Democrats requested that the U.S. Government Accountability Office look into Patel's travel on government planes, which he is required to do, while at the same time making them unavailable for FBI emergencies. 'Those aircraft have been procured or leased specifically to support operational needs,' former FBI counterterrorism official Christopher O'Leary told CBS News in April. 'The concern is that the routine use of them by the director and deputy director for personal travel could take a critical resource offline when they are sometimes needed at a moment's notice.' Craig Holman, a governmental ethics and campaign finance expert at Washington, D.C. watchdog nonprofit Public Citizen, says the expenditure shows the Trump team going against its relentless claims of 'cost-efficiency.' 'For an administration that wants to put on a veneer of cutting waste, fraud and abuse in government spending, it sure doesn't have any qualms when it comes to lavish spending on expensive new jets and other luxuries for itself,' Holman told The Independent. '... Meanwhile, the administration is slashing spending on health care, education and worker safety for the rest of us.' Since Trump retook the White House in January, the administration has decimated school lunch programs, thrown millions off of Medicaid and enacted tax cuts that will boost incomes for the wealthy while raising taxes on working Americans, experts say. Before he took over as head of the FBI, Patel slammed then-FBI Director Christopher Wray for using bureau aircraft for personal trips, telling his podcast audience that Wray's flights should be 'ground[ed]. (Wray said he reimbursed the government for all personal use.) Bondi and Patel clashed earlier this year over the so-called Epstein files, the FBI documents related to its investigation of the notorious sex offender whose ties to the rich and famous, including Donald Trump, are now well-known. 'Dear Director Patel, Before you came into office, I requested the full and complete files related to Jeffrey Epstein,' Bondi wrote in a February 27 letter. '... Late yesterday; I learned from a source that the FBI Field Office in New York was in possession of thousands of pages of documents related to the investigation and indictment of Epstein. Despite my repeated requests, the FBI never disclosed the existence of these files.' The files have still not been released, with Bondi recently announcing that Epstein's hotly anticipated 'client list,' which she once said was 'on her desk' and ready for public dissemination, did not in fact exist.
News18
16-07-2025
- Business
- News18
Eternal CEO Deepinder Goyal-Backed LAT Aviation Acquires Bombardier Private Jet
LAT Aerospace, backed by Zomato's Eternal CEO Deepinder Goyal, has acquired a Bombardier Global series private jet LAT Aerospace, backed by Zomato's Eternal CEO Deepinder Goyal, has acquired a Bombardier Global series private jet, sources familiar with the development told Moneycontrol. The aircraft has been stationed at Delhi Airport's VIP bay since June 2025 and is reportedly scheduled to operate today, July 16. According to Moneycontrol, ground handling and engineering services for the aircraft are being provided by Indamer MJets Airport Services and Bird Execujet Airport Services. However, the publication noted that details such as the aircraft's exact model, registration number, and the purpose of today's flight remain unverified. The private jet acquisition comes shortly after Goyal reportedly registered a Rs 52.3 crore luxury apartment in DLF's The Camellias in Gurugram. As of June 2025, Goyal holds 36.95 crore shares (3.83% stake) in Zomato, with a market value of around Rs 9,847 crore, according to Moneycontrol. Forbes estimates his net worth at $1.6 billion. While the exact model is not confirmed, a Bombardier Global 8000, equipped with Ka-band Wi-Fi, carries a list price of $78 million. A Global 6500 costs around $56 million new, while pre-owned variants typically range between $30–$45 million, depending on age and condition. Private jet purchases attract a 28% IGST for personal use. However, for commercial operators, the tax rate is only 5%, making the NSOP model financially more viable. According to Moneycontrol, India had 114 active NSOP holders as of June 2024. LAT Aerospace and Goyal's Aviation Bet Goyal launched LAT Aerospace in June 2025, as revealed in a LinkedIn post by co-founder Surobhi Das. The startup aims to revolutionise regional air travel in India—an area long plagued by high costs, low connectivity, and underutilised infrastructure. 'While building Zomato and flying across India, Deepinder and I kept circling back to the same question: Why is regional air travel still so broken, expensive, infrequent, and mostly out of reach unless you live in a metro?" Das wrote. LAT Aerospace has reportedly raised $50 million in funding, with Goyal contributing $20 million. The company is currently hiring aerospace engineers, systems designers, and aviation enthusiasts to develop its regional aviation platform. Diverse Ventures and India's Private Jet Ecosystem Beyond Zomato, Blinkit, and LAT Aerospace, Goyal also launched Continue, a wellness and mental health venture, under Upslope Advisors Pvt Ltd. India's private aviation sector has seen strong momentum in recent years, driven by favorable tax reforms and infrastructure investments. Initiatives like GIFT City's aircraft leasing program, customs duty relief (2.5–3%), and GST reductions have further fueled interest in private jet ownership. As per Moneycontrol, India currently has the largest private jet fleet in South Asia and ranks third in the Asia-Pacific region, with over 151 registered business jets. To support this growth, airports across India have launched or revamped General Aviation (GA) terminals. Notable examples include: Delhi IGI Airport, which launched India's first GA terminal in 2020. Mumbai Airport, which revamped its luxury GA terminal in 2022. Kochi Airport, where PM Modi inaugurated a 40,000 sq ft business jet terminal in December 2022. Hyderabad Airport, which unveiled a new GA terminal in September 2024. The global business jet market, valued at over $24 billion in 2020, is projected to reach $37 billion by 2028, according to Statista. In India, rising demand is being driven by a growing ultra-high-net-worth individual (UHNI) population, expected to surge 50% by 2028. view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Cision Canada
09-07-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Flightpath Expands with New Exclusive Use Hangar at Boca Raton Airport Français
BOCA RATON, Fla., July 9, 2025 /CNW/ -- Flightpath extends its aviation footprint in South Florida with the addition of a 30,000 sq. ft exclusive use hangar facility at the Boca Raton Airport (KBCT) in Palm Beach County. The facility, part of the Atlantic Aviation footprint, will support aircraft as large as the Bombardier Global 8000 and Gulfstream G700. With a door length of 195' and height of 28', the facility offers state-of-the-art features and ample ramp space, just steps from the airport's on-site Customs Facility and Atlantic Aviation's departure lounge and FBO facilities. In addition, the hangar features 8,000 sq. ft of office space over two floors. "This new hangar represents an important step in our efforts to better serve clients in the US," said David Shaver, Managing Director at Flightpath Aviation USA. "South Florida continues to be an important region for private aviation, and this facility allows us to support our clients with added convenience and reliable service." The new Boca Raton location reflects Flightpath's ongoing commitment to providing practical, personalized aviation solutions. It allows us to better support client needs in a steadily growing area. Shaver and Flightpath President Robert Brunnenmeir welcome aircraft owners and industry professionals to learn more about the hangar and office space available at KBCT. For availability and leasing details, please reach out to the Flightpath team directly. "We are excited about the opportunities our new hangar will bring for us and the aviation community," said Brunnenmeir, who founded Flightpath in 2006. About Flightpath Aviation USA Flightpath Aviation USA is the sister company of Flightpath Charter Airways Inc. which provides aircraft management, private jet charter, maintenance, and acquisition services across North America. The team is focused on delivering safe, transparent, and reliable aviation solutions for travelers and aircraft owners. To learn more, visit About Boca Raton Airport (KBCT) The Boca Raton Airport is in southern Palm Beach County, situated off I-95, and provides fast access to Boca Raton's downtown, beaches, and business districts. Its central location between West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale makes it ideal for travelers seeking to avoid the congestion of larger airports. Since 2018, KBCT has featured an on-site U.S. Customs and Border Protection facility, allowing international flights to clear customs directly at the airport. With a 6,276-foot runway and a full-length parallel taxiway, KBCT accommodates a variety of aircraft. In addition, David Shaver of Flightpath adds: KBCT offers something special for the public and aviation enthusiasts. A free observation area with covered seating open from dawn to dusk that provides a 360- degree viewing experience of the runway and airport operations, and even live ATC through speakers in the seating area. It's a unique, accessible setting that offers anyone the chance to experience and learn more about aviation firsthand.
