Matt Thurber, editor-in-chief at AIN Media Group, has been flying since 1975 and writing about aviation since 1978 and now has the best job in the world, running editorial operations for Aviation International News, Business Jet Traveler, and FutureFlight.aero. In addition to working as an A&amp;P mechanic on everything from Piper Cubs to turboprops, Matt taught flying at his father’s flight school in Plymouth, Mass., in the early 1980s, flew for an aircraft owner/pilot, and for two summer seasons hunted swordfish near the George’s Banks off the East Coast from a Piper Super Cub. An ATP certificated fixed-wing pilot and CFII and commercial helicopter pilot, Matt is type-rated in the Citation 500 and Gulfstream V/550. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Matt and his team cover the entire aviation scene including business aircraft, helicopters, avionics, safety, manufacturing, charter, fractionals, technology, air transport, advanced air mobility, defense, and other subjects of interest to AIN, BJT, and FutureFlight readers.

Editor-in-Chief

Matt Thurber

Business jet brokerage and data analytics firm Guardian Jet has launched Guardian Intelligence in its Vault client portal. Guardian Intelligence contains 25 years of proprietary aircraft data, including the firm’s dynamic market survey, which the company is demonstrating this week at NBAA-BACE 2026.
Data shows that business jet buyers are paying premium prices for the most sought-after late-model aircraft based on third-quarter market activity, according to Connecticut-based Guardian Jet. “As we enter the fourth quarter, we expect demand to remain selective,” said Guardian Jet managing partner Gabriel Bastos. “Buyers will continue to pay for immediate availability when the aircraft fits their mission, but they’re also weighing that premium carefully against alternative models and the financial and operational cost of waiting.”
The launch of Guardian Intelligence is intended to give clients a clearer way to navigate purchasing decisions. Guardian Jet has redesigned its dynamic market survey as an interactive tool that lets clients view the aircraft it tracks, with filters for model year, airframe total time, asking-price range, equipment, and location. Customers can also view aircraft for sale, recently completed sales, valuations, market movement, and individual aircraft details.&nbsp;
Guardian Intelligence covers four areas: consulting and advisory, market, model, and transaction intelligence.
The company has been gathering and sharing market data since 2002, and now is mining it with the assistance of AI tools. The Vault is Guardian Jet’s customer-facing data product, and it helps clients keep track of their aircraft values and come to Guardian with more robust information. “The better data you give them to query, the better results that you get,” said Guardian Jet founder and managing partner Mike Dwyer.&nbsp;
In an example of this data, Dwyer showed AIN a market survey for Gulfstream’s G550, which was manufactured from 2003 through 2019. There are 611 G550s in service, and clients can see each jet’s status or search for models that appeal to them, compare attributes and prices, and check upcoming maintenance due that will affect the value. It also shows considerations such as how much adding a desired feature affects the ultimate price, for example, adding Starlink.&nbsp;
“A buyer cannot make the right decision based on asking price alone,” said Guardian Jet co-founder and managing partner Mike Dwyer. “You need to understand where that aircraft sits within its market, what comparable aircraft are doing, what alternatives are available, and what waiting could cost. This is exactly why we developed Guardian Intelligence. It combines our proprietary information with the judgment of our experienced advisors so clients can make the best decision for their mission and their asset.”

Issues regarding financing of aircraft; aviation insurance; tax issues for aircraft operators; new companies and people in the aviation financing and insurance industries.

Guardian Jet Intelligence Unearths Business Jet Market Data

Clients have access to the information through the Vault portal

Data shows that business jet buyers are paying premium prices for the most sought-after late-model aircraft, according to Guardian Jet, based on third quarter 2026 market activity. 

Guardian Jet Intelligence Unearths Bizjet Market Data

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charles Alcock

News and issues concerning the aviation charter and fractional-ownership industries and markets, including company announcements, regulations, new developments and labor issues.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Per passenger duty rates are far higher for private charter flights than airlines 

EBAA France Warns Tax Could Kill Off Charter Operators

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Values for heavy jets has held up more strongly than smaller models

Amstat Preowned Data Shows Aircraft Size Fluctuations

Amy Wilder

Large-cabin fractional segment up 13.9%

Argus: September Bizav Activity Tops Forecast

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

NBAA-BACE 2026

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Large-cabin fractional segment up 13.9%

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Movements by French charter jets have dipped between 11% and 20%

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Canada Looks To Extend 100% Expensing to Aircraft

Measure would be effective Sept. 15, 2026

FlyExclusive Q2 Revenue Rises on Smaller Fleet

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