Northern Jet branched into charter operations following its merger with SpeedBird back in March last year, and has now achieved FAA approval for the SpeedBird subsidiary for 10 or More Part 135 charter operator status.

Previously the company operated light, mid and super-mid size jets, among them CJ3s and Citation Xs, for nine passengers or less. This approval enables it to move into a different category of aircraft, in this case the Challenger 605, and broaden its offering to customers requiring transport for ten passengers or more.

The company was delighted with the experience of working with the Orlando Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) throughout the certification process, and extends its sincere appreciation to all FAA officials who played a pivotal role in the successful issuance.

Two Bombardier Challenger 605s are currently on the AOC and one more is coming this quarter. The company has been actively flying 605 charters since 24 December, 2023.

All the Challenger 605s have been completely refitted with brand new custom interiors. The first 605 on the certificate was a certified pre-owned aircraft from Bombardier. The OEM performed a full nose to tail refit of the aircraft including interior, paint and avionics. The second aircraft was refit by First Class Aerospace in Leesburg, Florida, who do all of Northern Jet's custom interiors.

​"We are thrilled to announce the FAA's approval of Northern Jet subsidiary SpeedBird as a 10 or More Part 135 charter operator, marking a significant milestone in our commitment to upholding the highest industry standards," says CEO Chris Bull. "Our relationship with Bombardier adds an extra layer of distinction to our operations. Moreover, the complete refit of our Challenger fleet underscores our dedication to providing clients with an unmatched level of sophistication and comfort."