Trump says decertifying Bombardier private jets is in retaliation for Canada’s failure to certify private jets from Gulfstream Aerospace.
In a Truth Social post earlier this evening, President Donald J. Trump said he is “decertifying” aircraft built in Canada.
The U.S. president said it was in retaliation for Canada’s failure to certify four Gulfstream aircraft types.
Bombardier Global and Challenger jets are a mainstay of the U.S. fractional and charter fleets, as well as used by many corporate flight departments.
Its CRJs are also used by major regional airlines in the United States.
A single source close to the Federal Aviation Administration tells Private Jet Card Comparisons that the agency was caught off guard by the posting on social media.
It is not clear what Trump meant by decertifying, but a possible, if not likely, result would be grounding Canadian-made aircraft from operating in the U.S.
Slightly after 6 p.m. this evening, the POTUS took to Truth Social.
He specifically called out Bombardier.
Trump posted:
‘Based on the fact that Canada has wrongfully, illegally, and steadfastly refused to certify the Gulfstream 500, 600, 700, and 800 Jets, one of the greatest, most technologically advanced airplanes ever made, we are hereby decertifying their Bombardier Global Expresses, and all Aircraft made in Canada, until such time as Gulfstream, a Great American Company, is fully certified, as it should have been many years ago. Further, Canada is effectively prohibiting the sale of Gulfstream products in Canada through this very same certification process. If, for any reason, this situation is not immediately corrected, I am going to charge Canada a 50% Tariff on any and all Aircraft sold into the United States of America. Thank you for your attention to this matter!’
However, several senior industry executives said that, until the Federal Aviation Administration issues a directive, there is nothing to do.
According to Reuters, more than 400 Canadian-made private jets are currently operating in the United States.
The Air Current reports that over 2,000 Canadian-made aircraft are currently flying in the U.S.
One source said Trump is correct about the G500, G700, and G800 regarding certification.
A New York Times report after publication of this article cites the Transport Canada website as stating that the G500 is certified in Canada.
However, additional sources indicate that Trump is correct: the Gulfstream models currently marketed as the G500, G600, G700, and G800 have not been certified in Canada.
One source cited Transport Canada certification for an older Gulfstream model that is no longer in production.
The 2010 certification covered the Gulfstream G-V and G-V SP, and then refers to them as G500/G550, which is confusing but different from this G500.
Aviation International News reported this morning, “Gulfstream received U.S. certification for the G500 and G600 in 2018 and 2019. Neither are certified in Canada, but both have received EASA nod.”
EASA is the European Union Aviation Safety Agency.
NetJets operates the Challenger 350, 650, and Global 5000, 5500, 6000, and 7500.
Flexjet operates the Challenger 350.
It recently agreed to sell the Challenger 300 fleet to Baker Aviation.
Vista America operates Challenger and Global aircraft for VistaJet customers.
Airshare operates Challenger 3500s in its fractional program.
Both FlyExclusive and Wheels Up have been expanding their super-midsize fleets with Canadian Challengers.
Several executives said there will be no impact on operations until they receive official notice from the FAA.
The expectation is that the implications will focus on tariffs for new deliveries.
The Canadian Business Aviation Association issued a statement this morning.
It said, “CBAA is aware of recent comments made by U.S. President Donald Trump about Bombardier and potential new tariffs on Canadian-made aircraft. Your association is closely monitoring this situation while we wait for facts.”
Bombardier also issued a statement.
The OEM wrote, “We have taken note of the post from the President of the United States to social media and are in contact with the Canadian government.”
It continued, “Bombardier is an international company that employs more than 3,000 people in the U.S. across nine major facilities, and creates thousands of U.S. jobs through 2,800 suppliers.”
The Montreal-based company said, “Our aircraft, facilities, and technicians are fully certified to FAA standards and renowned around the world.”
It noted, “We are actively investing in expanding our U.S. operations, including a recent announcement in Fort Wayne, Indiana.”
Last year, Bond, a U.S.-based start-up, announced an order for private jets from Bombardier.
That order is valued at $1.7 billion.
The first airframe is expected to enter service in 2027.
Canadian fractional AirSprint and charter operator Chartright Air Group both operate U.S.-made Textron Citation light jets.
The FAA did not respond to a request for comment.
Trump Tariffs have been a concern for business aviation over the past year.
(Editor’s Note: This story was updated to reflect that Trump’s initial tweet reflecting the current Gulfstream models was correct.)
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