Bombardier Global 8000 Secures Key FAA Certification; What About Airspace Staffing?

December 25, 2025 at 05:53 PM•2 min read

Bombardier secured FAA certification for its Global 8000 business jet, while the FAA continues to face a critical air traffic controller shortage impacting US airspace.

Key Points

1Bombardier Global 8000 received FAA certification on December 19, 2025, clearing it for the US market.
2The Global 8000 is the fastest civilian aircraft since Concorde, with a Mach 0.95 top speed and 8,000 NM range.
3Over 40% of FAA air traffic control terminals were understaffed as of September 2024, leading to flight delays and safety concerns.
4FedEx MD-11 freighters, grounded due to structural fatigue concerns, are expected to return to service by Spring 2026.

The commercial aviation news cycle closes the year with major regulatory and operational updates. The headline story is a significant milestone for Bombardier.

Global 8000 Cleared for US Airspace

The Bombardier Global 8000 FAA certification is now complete. This approval clears the ultra-long-range business aircraft for US operations. The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) granted the certification on December 19, 2025. This follows Transport Canada (TC) certification received in November 2025. The aircraft officially entered service this month.

Performance and Market Impact

The Global 8000 business jet is highly anticipated. It is marketed as the fastest civilian aircraft since the Concorde. The jet boasts a top speed of Mach 0.95. It offers an industry-leading range of 8,000 nautical miles (NM). This capability enables non-stop travel between more global city pairs. The cabin also features the lowest altitude in business aviation. Certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) remains pending.

US Airspace Management Challenges

Meanwhile, the FAA air traffic controller shortage remains a critical concern. This issue presents ongoing airspace management challenges for the US system. As of September 2024, over 40% of the FAA's 290 terminals were understaffed. A June 2025 report noted that 19 of the largest facilities are 15% below staffing needs. For example, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is 17% understaffed. The shortage forces the FAA to slow down flights. This results in increased delays for passengers and airlines. The agency is aiming to hire nearly 9,000 controllers by 2028. This is part of a plan to mitigate the long-term staffing deficit.

Cargo Fleet Update: FedEx MD-11s

In cargo operations, FedEx MD-11 grounding issues continue to affect capacity. A mandatory grounding of 28 MD-11 freighters was implemented. This followed the discovery of structural fatigue cracks in a pylon. The grounding caused a 4% loss of global air cargo capacity. FedEx expects the fleet to return to service by Spring 2026. The company forecasts $175 million in extra costs due to this lost capacity. This temporary setback occurs as FedEx pursues cargo fleet modernization. The MD-11 fleet's full retirement was previously postponed until 2032.

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