Tariffs and potential tax incentives have brought a wave of uncertainty in the U.S. preowned market, with deals once completed rapidly now slowing, according to broker Hagerty Jet Group. Following the inauguration, “the phones started blowing up. Deals were getting done at a frenzied pace,” Hagerty Jet noted.

But by February, the industry turned to tariffs and what that meant. It also took note of pledges to bring back 100% expensing retroactive to January 20. “The business aviation industry celebrated the indication of the return of bonus depreciation, which includes new and used business jets,” Hagerty Jet maintained.

Even with those positive trends, against the backdrop of the evolving nature of the tariffs, Hagerty added, “It’s hard to predict what 2025 will bring for business aviation.” Deals are still getting done into April, but many of them started months earlier.

“The enticement of bonus depreciation could outweigh the lack of consumer confidence and keep prices flat or even bump them up,” the firm said. However, “buyers could step to the sideline and wait for clearer forecasts which could slow transactions and push prices down.”

Hagerty also provides a focus on the Gulfstream market, estimating the Savannah, Georgia manufacturer delivered 15 G700s in the first quarter and noting that parent corporation General Dynamics is anticipating 150 jet deliveries in 2025, a cautious number reflecting supply chain uncertainties.

The NTSB has recovered critical components from the Bell 206L4 LongRanger helicopter that crashed into the Hudson River near Jersey City, New Jersey, on April 10, killing six people. Recovery crews have now located and retrieved the aircraft’s main rotor system, including the transmission and roof beam, as well as the tail rotor system, according to an investigative update released Monday.

Divers from the New York Police Department conducted the search in coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Jersey City Office of Emergency Management. The recovered components are being transferred to a secure location for further examination as part of the NTSB's continuing investigation.

With the major wreckage now secured, the NTSB said recovery efforts are complete. Additional analysis will focus on determining the cause of the crash, which occurred shortly after the helicopter took off from a nearby heliport.

The final ADS-B signal, recorded by AirNav RadarBox, showed the helicopter descending at a rate of 3,456 feet per minute just before impact. FAA records list the LongRanger as registered to Meridian Helicopters of Broussard, Louisiana, while the operator is New York Helicopter Charter.

The NTSB continues to seek visual evidence and eyewitness accounts of the crash sequence. Individuals with photos, videos, or information related to the accident are encouraged to contact NTSB via email at witness@ntsb.gov.

Germany-based Reiser Simulation and Training will deliver a level-D simulator for the Airbus Helicopters light-twin H135/H145 to the new European Heli Center (EHC) headquarters under construction at Lelystad Airport near Amsterdam. This move will enhance training capabilities in Central Europe starting at the end of 2026.

“We are delighted to partner with EHC in their ambitious endeavor to create a world-class training center,” said Reiser CEO Johannes Hain. “The contract marks another milestone in our history as Europe’s renowned manufacturer of helicopter full-flight simulators.”

The Lelystad facility will provide pilot and crew training solutions, including mission-specific curricula designed to improve operational safety and efficiency. Located near Schiphol Airport, it will offer accessibility to international arrivals from all over the world. As part of its expansion, EHC has signed an agreement with Bristow Group’s Nigeria division to provide pilot training on the H135. Bristow will be one of the primary users of the H135 at the new center.

“By combining our extensive training expertise with Reiser’s cutting-edge simulation systems, we are creating the most modern and comprehensive helicopter training center in the world,” explained EHC CEO Jeroen Peddemors. “This partnership reinforces our commitment to providing the highest quality training to meet the evolving needs of the global helicopter industry.”

An investigation is underway to determine why a Hawker 800XPi operated by Moroccan charter group Air Ocean Maroc overran the runway at Fès–Saïss Airport (GMFF) on April 11. No passengers were onboard when the flight landed at around 4:10 p.m. local time, and two pilots and a flight attendant were discharged from the hospital after being assessed for their injuries.

According to a statement issued by Morocco’s transportation ministry, the jet “veered off” 10,500-foot Runway 09 and collided with a wall at the perimeter of the airport. An image released by the North African country’s officials shows significant damage to the Hawker (CN-TKC) with the wing detached from the fuselage and resting on top of the cockpit.

In a statement issued by Air Ocean Maroc, the Rabat-based company’s CEO and accountable manager, Mohammed El Masaoudi, said, “At this point, no mechanical fault has been confirmed.” He disputed media reports of the incident as a crash.

Air Ocean Maroc provides aircraft management and charter services. It also operates air ambulance flights and holds maintenance approvals for the Hawker, as well as for the Embraer Legacy 600, Bombardier Challenger 604, and Textron King Air 200. According to the company, it holds an Argus gold rating and is a member of both the NBAA and the Middle East Business Aviation Association.

The business aviation market is growing, and Thornton Aviation is growing, too, providing much needed capacity and expertise. 

The Southern California Aviation Association (SCAA), in partnership with Web Manuals, will host the 2025 Safety Stand Down on May 15, coinciding with Web Manuals’ annual Go Digital U.S. conference.

Held at Hotel del Coronado in San Diego, the one-day Safety Stand Down event will focus on the role of digital documentation in supporting aviation safety and regulatory compliance. With the theme “Building a Culture of Safety,” the agenda features industry-led discussions and training sessions centered on improving decision-making and safety management practices.

“Returning for a second year since its relaunch in 2024, this day holds significant importance in bringing industry professionals together to discuss aviation safety,” said Justin Raymond, director of operations for the Americas at Web Manuals. “As title sponsor, we’re pleased to support the event and contribute to the panel, ‘From knowledge to action: best practices in safety intelligence.’”

Attendance is expected to increase from 100 participants in 2024 to 130 this year, reflecting continued interest in digital solutions for compliance and safety.

“Following the success of last year’s Safety Stand Down, we welcome the opportunity to continue these discussions in 2025,” said Philip Kost, chair of the SCAA Safety Committee. “Web Manuals’ support helps advance our shared goal of addressing evolving safety needs in the aviation sector.”

The Safety Stand Down offers opportunities for education, professional networking, and knowledge-sharing within the aviation community.

Avflight has expanded its FBO network with the acquisition of Executive Air, one of two service providers at Green Bay–Austin Straubel International Airport (KGRB) in Wisconsin.

The facility—a convenient Midwest tech stop—features a 17,000-sq-ft terminal with oversized windows, a passenger lounge, an eight-seat conference room, a pilot lounge with shower facilities, a flight planning area, a theater and game room, a concierge, and U.S. Customs assistance. It has 76,414 sq ft of heated hangar space capable of sheltering heavy jets.

For the Avfuel sister company, this represents its second FBO in the state (the first is in Milwaukee) and its 27th worldwide. The FBO will become an Avfuel-branded dealer, participating in the fuel distributor’s customer loyalty and contract fuel programs.

“We’re excited about our newest location and look forward to serving Green Bay’s aviation community,” said Joe Meszaros, Avflight’s v-p of operations. “This new location strengthens our presence in the Midwest and underscores our ongoing commitment to delivering exceptional service to general aviation customers across North America and Europe.”

Aircraft management and charter company Jet Aviation is integrating its online staffing platform, Jet Aviation Staffing Marketplace, with Avianis flight-planning software. The integration enables Avianis users to manage recruiting and contract pilot needs through a single platform.

Avianis users can create job postings directly from their Avianis profiles. As trip details are updated, the system connects automatically with the staffing marketplace, allowing users to source candidates and view relevant details across both platforms simultaneously.

“We are delighted to continue advancing Staffing Marketplace as we expand our capabilities and offerings to meet the needs of our customers,” said Elaine Lapotosky, Jet Aviation v-p of staffing. “The integration of Avianis marks a step forward in centralizing staffing management by providing operators an efficient experience within one platform to access top-tier talent, advanced search tools, and seamless flight planning.”

Jet Aviation launched Staffing Marketplace to candidates in 2023 and to operators in 2024. The platform consolidates the recruitment process into one digital space, allowing for application review, candidate tracking, contract management, and payroll processing. Integration with Avianis was facilitated through a collaboration with Portside, a technology solutions provider and parent company of Avianis.

Young professionals working in the air charter industry say that sustainability is the most important issue facing the sector, according to the findings of a survey conducted by The Air Charter Association (ACA). The survey was conducted during the annual Young Professionals’ Networking Event held recently at the Royal Aeronautical Society in London.

A group of around 75 attendees, all aged 35 or under, were asked to rate issues impacting the industry. Lack of public awareness about air charter was another issue raised by the young professionals in their responses. The group advised that the ACA’s internship program should specifically focus on conveying a better understanding of the industry to a wider external audience.

“Sustainability was highlighted as the most important factor affecting the industry in 2025, indicating that there is now a broad consensus, particularly among the younger generation, of the need to continue progressing efforts to decarbonize the industry,” said ACA chairman Kevin Ducksbury. “Also key themes highlighted were, not surprisingly in this current climate, politics, followed by specific issues such as French tax, labor, and emissions.”

In addition to its networking events for young people, the ACA has already scheduled five in-person training events so far this year as part of the association’s Air Charter Broker Qualification. It also offers Level 1 online training opportunities.