General Electric flies to Chicago as CEO joins Trump on China trip

General Electric flew from Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (KCVG) to Chicago Rockford International Airport (KRFD) on May 14, 2026, a 63-minute hop aboard the company’s HondaJet HA-420, N120GE. The aircraft, a surprisingly modest very-light jet for a Fortune 500 firm, touched down at 11:45 UTC.

The same week, General Electric CEO Larry Culp joined President Trump on a high-stakes trip to Beijing, departing May 12 for talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, per a report from bluewaterhealthyliving.com. The delegation, which includes Elon Musk and Tim Cook, is expected to discuss a potential Boeing order of up to 500 737 MAX jets, many powered by General Electric engines—a deal that could be the largest airplane order in history. The Chicago area, home to Rockford’s aerospace supply chain, may factor into the company’s broader manufacturing calculus.

The flight follows a pattern of recent trips between General Electric’s Evendale headquarters and sites in Alabama, New York, and Vermont, often tied to engine testing or supplier visits. The company announced a $115 million investment in Greater Cincinnati for 2026, per the Cincinnati Enquirer, and continues to lean on its fleet for quick, direct access to key industrial and policy hubs.