Executive jets, the lofty domain of the world’s corporate elite, are being snapped up in Latin America’s booming market.

Nowhere is this more apparent than in Brazil, the regional powerhouse that boasts both a wealthy clientele for the winged status symbols, and a homegrown manufacturer, Embraer.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy ‘s dream of having a presidential jet to rival Air Force One of the United States is about to come true.

“Air Sarko One,” a $241-million Airbus A330-200, has made its first test flight in Bordeaux, southwestern France.

Although not quite as big as the Boeing 747-200 that is Air Force One, the French A330-200 will be at least ten metres longer and two metres higher that the aircraft used by other European leaders.

The Cessna Aircraft Company introduced at the opening day of AirVenture 2010 a new upgrade package for its Citation Mustang.

The $75,000 package includes a more luxurious interior, a special paint scheme, a two-year maintenance programme, synthetic vision, electronic charts and locking fuel caps.

It is the first upgrade package Cessna has offered since the Mustang entered service in 2007. Cessna has since delivered over 300 Mustangs.

Honda has been showing off its first ever aircraft at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, saying that the jet should fly by the end of the year.

The HondaJet is the first venture into aviation for Honda, more commonly known for its cars and motorcycles, with the brand saying that it incorporates many technological advances in aviation design.

Among them are engines that are mounted above the wing instead of below, which Honda says significantly reduces drag (improving fuel efficiency), cuts noise pollution on the ground and creates additional space in the aircraft cabin.

Ten years after the Concorde disaster at Charles De Gaulle airport in Paris, and seven years after the turbojet-powered airliners were finally grounded, the age of supersonic air transport is about to recommence.

Nevada’s Aerion Corporation is advertising its Aerion Supersonic Business Jet (SBJ), described as an $80 million, super fast executive plane which the company says is able to reach a speed of Mach 1.5 (1,840 km/h).

This Aerion SBJ will make it possible to fly from Paris to New York in four hours and 14 minutes, shaving three hours off the trip compared to conventional jets.

Airbus has given a glimpse of the future of flight with its Concept Plane, which was showcased at the Farnborough International Airshow in Hampshire today.

The images released today illustrate what air transport could look like in 2050 – even 2030 if advancements in existing technologies continue apace.

The aircraft is more fuel-efficient and features advanced interior systems, long, slim wings, semi-embedded engines, a lightweight body and a U-shaped tail.