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real estate deal that was halted by the state due to a company's ties to China was actually intended for a flight school near Provo Airport. The Utah Department of Public Safety revealed this information in response to questions about the transaction, stating that the intention was to establish a flight school.

    The Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), which owns majority shares of Cirrus Aircraft, is considered a restricted foreign entity under Utah code. AVIC is headquartered in Beijing and has been sanctioned by the US government. The specific property that Cirrus wanted to buy in Utah County remains unknown.

    Local residents expressed concerns about foreign ownership of land in the US, with some suggesting that American companies could have taken on the project instead. Provo Airport released a statement supporting the state's enforcement of Utah law and the governor's commitment to protecting strategic infrastructure.

    Cirrus had proactively reached out to the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity and the Attorney General's Office before being informed that purchasing the property would be in violation of state statute due to AVIC's involvement.