FAA Caught Off Guard by Trump Threat to Decertify Bombardier Jets

The Federal Aviation Administration was reportedly caught off guard after President Donald J. Trump said he would “decertify” Canadian-built aircraft, including Bombardier private jets, in retaliation for Canada’s handling of Gulfstream aircraft certifications. The comments, made in a post on Truth Social, immediately sent ripples through the business aviation sector, though no formal regulatory action has followed.

According to a source familiar with the matter, the Federal Aviation Administration had no advance notice of the statement and has not issued any directive affecting operations. Industry executives emphasized that, until the FAA publishes an official order or airworthiness action, there is no operational change for operators of Canadian-made aircraft in the United States.

In his post, Trump accused Canada of wrongfully refusing to certify several Gulfstream aircraft types, including the G500, G600, G700, and G800. He specifically named Bombardier, stating that its Global Express jets and “all aircraft made in Canada” would be decertified unless the issue is resolved. He also warned of a potential 50% tariff on aircraft sold into the US if certification disputes persist.

It remains unclear what Trump meant by “decertifying” aircraft, as certification authority in the US rests with the FAA, not the White House. Aviation lawyers note that grounding foreign-manufactured aircraft would require formal regulatory action and coordination with international authorities, making such a move complex and legally challenging.

Bombardier aircraft are deeply embedded in the US aviation market. Global and Challenger jets are widely used by corporate flight departments, charter operators, and fractional ownership programs. Bombardier’s CRJ regional jets also continue to operate with several US regional airlines, underscoring the scale of potential disruption implied by the comments.

Reports vary on how many Canadian-built aircraft are currently operating in the US. Reuters has cited figures of more than 400 Canadian-made private jets, while The Air Current estimates that more than 2,000 Canadian-built aircraft of all types are flying in the country. A subsequent report from The New York Times noted that Transport Canada lists the Gulfstream G500 as already certified, adding further uncertainty to the claims.

Major US operators rely heavily on Bombardier fleets. NetJets operates multiple Challenger and Global variants, while Flexjet, Vista America, Airshare, FlyExclusive, and Wheels Up all have significant exposure to Canadian-built business jets. Executives across these companies said they expect no immediate impact and are monitoring the situation closely.

Most industry observers believe any real consequences would likely center on tariffs or future aircraft deliveries rather than grounding existing fleets. The FAA declined to comment, but until formal action is taken, business aviation operations are expected to continue unchanged despite renewed concerns over potential Trump-era trade and aviation policy shifts.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, privatejetcardcomparisons.com