Affinity Aviation Group (AAG) has entered a strategic collaboration with European business aviation training provider AeronautX, investing in its UK operation and providing space for a new office at AAG’s Farnborough Airport headquarters in Hampshire. AeronautX plans to open a pilot academy near Amsterdam Schiphol Airport in the first quarter of 2027, initially supporting Bombardier Challenger 350/3500 and Challenger 650 crews with UK CAA-certified full-flight simulators.
The Amsterdam centre is expected to provide Challenger initial type-rating and recurrent training, alongside instructor qualification and operator-specific programmes. VistaJet is a strategic partner for the facility, which will also offer independent simulator access and training to other operators.
AeronautX already holds base-training approvals for Embraer and Gulfstream aircraft. The Farnborough presence is intended to support its expanding UK operations, while the investment gives AAG a direct relationship with a training provider developing additional business aviation simulator capacity in Europe.
AAG, which specialises in aircraft sales, acquisitions and charter, recorded a record third quarter in 2026 for sales and acquisitions. Activity was particularly strong in preowned Bombardier Global aircraft and off-market transactions. The companies have not disclosed the value of AAG’s investment or its precise ownership percentage.