Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. has announced a significant capability expansion for its advanced fleet. The company confirmed that the Gulfstream G500 and Gulfstream G600 have now received steep-approach landing certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). This achievement follows previous certifications from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for both aircraft models, solidifying their ability to operate into some of the world’s most challenging and constrained airports.
The new certification officially permits European operators to utilize the aircraft’s performance at airports with steep approach paths, most notably London City Airport (LCY) in the United Kingdom. To earn this approval, both aircraft types successfully completed rigorous demonstration programs at LCY and Lugano Airport in Switzerland, proving their low-speed handling characteristics and precise short-field landing capabilities on steep descents.
“This milestone underscores our commitment to providing operators with unparalleled flexibility and access,” said Mark Burns, president of Gulfstream. “Our customers already rely on the groundbreaking performance and efficiency of the G500 and G600. Now, with EASA steep-approach certification secured, we are proud to offer European operators even greater mission capability, opening a network of unique and remote destinations around the globe.”
The certification is a strategic enhancement for the in-service fleet, which now numbers more than 350 G500 and G600 aircraft worldwide. These aircraft have collectively demonstrated exceptional reliability and performance, amassing over 350,000 flight hours and 173,000 landings. Furthermore, the fleet continues to set the standard for speed and efficiency, having established more than 120 city-pair speed records.
The steep-approach capability allows the G500 and G600 to descend at angles up to 5.5 degrees—steeper than the standard 3-degree glide path—enabling them to meet strict noise-abatement procedures and land on shorter runways surrounded by obstacles. This opens access to iconic business hubs like London City, as well as alpine and island airports previously challenging for aircraft of this class.
By securing both FAA and EASA approvals, Gulfstream ensures that operators of the G500 and G600 benefit from maximum operational freedom and schedule reliability, connecting key financial centers with exclusive destinations seamlessly. This achievement reinforces the aircrafts’ position as the most versatile and capable in the large-cabin business jet segment.
