Gulfstream G500, G600 Get Transport Canada Nod

Transport Canada issued certifications for both the Gulfstream G500 and G600, following through on long-awaited validations that in part prompted U.S. President Donald Trump to weigh in on the issue. Those validations came through on February 15, and Gulfstream Aerospace told AIN, “We continue to work with both the FAA and TCCA and are optimistic that progress is being made.”

On January 29, Trump threatened to revoke certifications for all Canadian aircraft, including Bombardier Globals, in retaliation for delays in Transport Canada approvals for the Gulfstream G500, G600, G700, and G800. He also threatened 50% tariffs on any aircraft produced in Canada and sold in the U.S.

Gulfstream confirmed that the G500 and G600 applications had been pending for about six years, and the G700 and G800 applications were submitted in 2024.

When asked on February 12 about the Trump threat to “decertify” Bombardier products, Bombardier president and CEO Éric Martel had expressed optimism that the “situation is going to get resolved,” and added that this was a certification issue between Gulfstream, Transport Canada, and the FAA. “They need to work together to get this to the bottom line.”

During the GAMA State of the Industry press conference last week, association president and CEO James Viola added that sometimes certifying authorities get out of alignment and need to recalibrate.