EBAA secretary-general Holger Krahmer has challenged Europe’s politicians to abandon a “business as usual” mentality to reviving the continent’s stagnant economy, arguing that they should embrace business aviation’s role in driving investment and growth. Speaking today at the Corporate Jet Investor conference in London, the former German politician and automotive industry lobbyist said the industry group is intently focused on building support among the European Parliament’s newly elected representatives to break a deadlock around a European Commission (EC) that he feels is inherently prejudiced against the industry.

The entrance to the conference was partly blocked by environmental protestors railing against private aviation. “The European Commission is driving a green agenda against business aviation anyway, so I feel like telling them, ‘Guys, you can go home, the Commission is already convinced and on your side,’” Krahmer said. “Growth needs business aviation, but the Commission won’t move.”

Among the most immediate examples of the EC’s efforts to inhibit business aviation are new rules penalizing operators that tanker fuel. Krahmer also raised concern about possible action on contrails. Meanwhile, the lawsuit that EBAA is jointly pursuing with Dassault and Daher against the EC over business aviation’s exclusion from the sustainability taxonomy is now being processed. At stake is the industry’s ability to access funding to support sustainability initiatives, including the ability to finance new, cleaner aircraft.

Business aviation advocates welcomed the 30-day pauses on the 25% additional duties planned for Canadian and Mexican products and the retaliatory actions from the two nations. However, industry associations expressed concern about the underlying difficulties surrounding tariffs, saying they could disrupt a highly regulated industry and hamper jobs along with economic growth.

Both NBAA and GAMA released statements discussing the importance of the business aviation industry, noting that the industry supports more than a million jobs and nearly $250 billion in economic development.

“Critical to this essential industry is a complex, highly regulated global supply chain, supported by a number of bilateral agreements that are required to meet stringent safety standards, while ensuring the reliable flow of highly specialized goods,” NBAA said. “Disruptions to this system have profound consequences, and workarounds that meet the exacting regulatory requirements take months or years to establish—challenges clearly demonstrated during the Covid pandemic.”

GAMA agreed: “Tariffs would affect the intricate and very complex global supply chain that can take years to establish.” Even where alternative suppliers may exist, manufacturers cannot quickly shift to different sources without FAA regulatory approval, compromising contracts and potentially affecting quality, GAMA added. Further, the association noted that tariffs could jeopardize the viability of domestic MROs that may need to import parts.

Bombardier is expanding its London Biggin Hill service center by adding a dedicated paint facility. Scheduled to open in the latter half of 2026, the 51,000-sq-ft facility will provide additional maintenance and refurbishment options for customers.

Announcing the investment today at the Corporate Jet Investor conference in London, Bombardier Service Center senior director Paul Thompson said the two-bay facility will be able to accommodate two Global 7500s at the same time. "It's the last piece of the puzzle for our customers in London," he commented.

The paint shop is expected to employ more than 50 skilled technicians. It will be located adjacent to the company's existing Biggin Hill service center, which spans nearly 250,000 sq ft and offers scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, avionics upgrades, and modifications for Bombardier Globals, Challengers, and Learjets.

According to Zeshan Malik, Bombardier's v-p for corporate development and aftermarket programs, the OEM expects to announce further new MRO initiatives this year. He said the company recently expanded its Singapore facility and is looking at other regions for possible expansion of service, including Africa.

The aviation community is grieving the loss of Casey Crafton of Guardian Jet and Vikesh Patel of GE Aerospace, who were among the 67 people killed when a PSA Bombardier CRJ-700, operating as American Airlines Flight 5342, collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on January 29.

Crafton, who served as technical services manager at business aircraft broker Guardian Jet since 2019, was traveling on business when the accident occurred. An aviation professional with more than a decade of experience as an A&P mechanic, Crafton was known for his expertise in aircraft maintenance and his work overseeing pre-buy projects. The company remembered Crafton as not only a valued team member but “above all a husband, father, and a friend to all.” Guardian Jet has set up a GoFundMe for the Crafton family.

Also aboard the flight was Vikesh Patel, an MRO transformation leader at GE Aerospace remembered by colleagues as “a wonderful person, leader, and friend” whose “energy was contagious.” Patel, based in the Washington, D.C./Baltimore area, had been with GE since 2013.

Canadian fractional jet company AirSprint yesterday announced the addition of an Embraer Praetor 500, marking the milestone 40th aircraft in its fleet. AirSprint’s fleet also includes Embraer Legacy 450/500s and Cessna Citation CJ3+s and CJ2+s. The company's primary service area of thousands of airports in North America includes Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal.

“Reaching 40 aircraft is an incredible achievement,” said AirSprint president and CEO James Elian. “It’s a reflection of the trust and loyalty our fractional owners have in us and the hard work of our team of 370 dedicated employees.”

This expansion follows the October acquisition of the company’s 16th CJ3+. In December 2023, it announced the purchase of its 15th Praetor 500.

AirSprint plans continued growth this year via further fleet expansions, in addition to continuing ongoing efforts to enhance sustainability in aviation. According to the company, it is committed to sustainability and offsets carbon emissions for all of its flights. It also highlighted its commitment to acquiring fuel-efficient aircraft and embracing technology designed for sustainable industry practices.

Airline, airport, aerospace, and air traffic control industry groups have called on European Commission (EC) president Ursula von der Leyen to reboot its aviation strategy to emphasize economic growth and competitiveness alongside efforts to decarbonize. In a report published today, the groups issued new policy recommendations to update the existing report "Destination 2050—A Route to Net Zero European Aviation" with demands for a more proactive and joined-up approach from the newly-appointed Commission.

Airlines for Europe, along with Airports Council International; Aerospace, Security and Defence Industries Association of Europe; air navigation services group CANSO; and the European Regions Airline Association, called on Von der Leyen to implement the recommendations on aviation sustainability and competitiveness presented to her back in September 2024 in a report by former Italian prime minister and European Central Bank president Mario Draghi. Their policy demands reflect a desire to see more effective policy implementation combined with less regulatory burden on the industry in the context of Europe’s stagnant economies.

Core recommendations were led by a call to introduce new market mechanisms to “rapidly bring down the cost” of sustainable aviation fuel. The industry associations called for the EC’s Clean Industrial Deal and the Sustainable Transport Investment Plan to reflect the strategic importance of aviation in Europe.

Textron Aviation has delivered its first Cessna SkyCourier to Canadian operator Air Bravo. In operation since 2001, the Ontario-based passenger, cargo, and air ambulance services provider will deploy the turboprop twin as an aerial freighter in the region. The aircraft can carry three LD3 shipping containers with 6,000 pounds of payload capability.

With the ability to be flown by just one pilot, the large utility high-wing aircraft—powered by a pair of Pratt & Whitney PT6A-65SC turboprop engines and equipped with the Garmin G1000 NXi flight deck—received type certification from Transport Canada approval last month.

“We’re proud to be the first SkyCourier customer in Canada, and this aircraft is perfect for supporting the cargo side of our business,” said Rick Horwath, Air Bravo’s president and CEO, adding that he looks forward to putting it to use. “The aircraft has a roomy cockpit, it’s easy to fly, and the avionics are user-friendly.”

The aircraft, which features single-point pressure fueling, received FAA certification in March 2022, followed soon after by its first delivery. In passenger configuration, the SkyCourier—launched in 2017—has seating for 19.