Canada to certify Gulfstream jets, U.S. FAA head says

FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said he believes issues with Canada have been resolved and that Transport Canada is expected to announce certifications for Gulfstream jets that have been delayed. The remarks follow public criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump and threats of tariffs and decertification.

Canada appears poised to approve certification for certain Gulfstream business jets, the head of the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration said. FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford told reporters he believes the issues with Canada have been resolved and that Transport Canada will announce certifications that have been delayed for years. The remarks come after public criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump and threats directed at Canadian aircraft makers. Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon has said Canada and the FAA have a collaborative relationship and suggested ambiguities have been dissipated. Key details: - FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said his understanding is that Transport Canada will announce Gulfstream certifications that have been delayed. - President Donald Trump publicly criticized Canada’s review of Gulfstream models last month and threatened decertification of some Canadian-made aircraft and a 50% import tariff on Canadian planes sold in the U.S. - U.S. and European regulators have certified certain Gulfstream models with an exemption that requires the company to do more testing related to possible ice in the jets’ fuel system; Canada had not granted that exemption and was still reviewing those aircraft. - Spokespeople for Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon did not immediately confirm the FAA administrator’s comments when asked, and Mark Masluch, a spokesman for Bombardier, said the company had no further comment beyond previous statements. - Bombardier is Gulfstream’s main rival in business jets and generated about US$5 billion of its US$8 billion revenue from U.S.-based customers in 2023 while assembling and shipping planes largely from Canada. Summary: The FAA administrator’s comments indicate Transport Canada is likely to move forward with certification of certain Gulfstream jets, which appears to have eased a recent diplomatic dispute involving public criticism and trade threats. Transport Canada is expected to announce the certifications, and formal confirmation from Canadian officials was not available at the time of reporting.