Canada Set to Approve Gulfstream Jets as Certification Dispute Nears End

Post by : Saif

Canada is expected to soon approve the certification of several Gulfstream business jets, according to the head of the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The move could settle a long-running delay that has drawn political attention and raised concerns across the aviation industry.

FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford told reporters that he believes the issue between U.S. and Canadian regulators has been resolved. He said Transport Canada, the country’s aviation authority, is likely to announce certification for the affected Gulfstream aircraft within days. Some of these jet approvals had been delayed for years.

Aircraft certification is the process where government regulators confirm that an airplane meets safety and technical standards before it can be used. Without certification, aircraft cannot be delivered or operated commercially in that country. Because of this, delays can cost manufacturers and buyers a great deal of money.

The issue became highly visible after U.S. President Donald Trump publicly criticized Canada for the slow pace of certification. In recent weeks, he warned that the United States could decertify Canadian-made Bombardier business jets and even place heavy import tariffs on Canadian aircraft if Gulfstream planes were not approved.

Those threats worried many people in the aviation sector. Airlines, manufacturers, and safety experts warned that aircraft certification should be based only on safety checks and technical standards — not political or trade pressure. They said mixing politics with safety approvals could weaken trust in the global aviation system.

Gulfstream, a U.S. business jet maker owned by General Dynamics, produces high-end private aircraft used by corporations and wealthy customers around the world. Its newest models are designed for long-distance travel, better fuel efficiency, and advanced cockpit technology. Certification in different countries is important because these jets often operate across borders.

Transport Canada said it is still working closely with Gulfstream and the FAA on the certification process. Canadian officials have not yet given a final public date for approval, but discussions appear to be moving forward.

The dispute also touched Canada’s aircraft industry, especially Bombardier, a major Canadian manufacturer of business jets. President Trump had threatened to remove U.S. certification for Bombardier Global Express jets if the Gulfstream approvals did not move ahead. If that had happened, it could have affected U.S. airlines and charter companies that rely on Canadian-built aircraft.

Industry analysts say that using certification as a trade weapon could set a risky example. If one country blocks aircraft approvals for economic reasons, others might do the same. That could disrupt airline fleets, aircraft deliveries, and international safety cooperation.

The disagreement came during a period of wider tension between the United States and Canada over trade and economic policy. There have also been disputes involving tariffs and cross-border projects. Aviation became another area where political pressure was applied.

Experts stress that global aviation works best when regulators cooperate and trust each other’s technical findings. Safety agencies in different countries often review each other’s work and share data. This cooperation helps keep flying safe and efficient worldwide.

If Canada confirms certification of the Gulfstream jets, it would remove one point of conflict and calm fears in the business aviation market. It would also send a signal that technical review — not politics — remains the main path for aircraft approval.

The expected decision is being watched closely by manufacturers, airlines, and regulators on both sides of the border.

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