While fleets and flight hours tick up ever so slightly, Europe’s business aviation community is facing an array of tax, access, and environmental constraints that threaten to hinder further growth. Even so, manufacturers and operators are hopeful that a growing clientele and environmental advances will spur the industry on the continent. The industry is also seeing some seeds of support take root at the European Commission. AIN takes an in-depth look at the state of business aviation in the region from an operational, environmental, regulatory, and technological perspective.

In a mature and always-challenging market like Europe, it falls to professionals like Sabine von der Linden to ensure that business aviation remains viable and rewarding for its clients. Now in her 10th year as a corporate pilot, she is an experienced captain and instructor on Bombardier’s Global 6500 and 7500 jets and group standards officer with the Luxaviation aircraft management and charter group.

“So far this year, it is too early to say whether the industry should be optimistic or pessimistic,” she told AIN two weeks after the Iran war broke out and triggered a steep increase in fuel prices and airspace disruption. “There is more of a sense of caution that leaves us wondering what is happening and how we will feel the impact.”

Héroux-Devtek has added Ametek MRO’s Antavia as an authorized repair center for the repair and overhaul of Embraer Legacy and Praetor landing gear in Europe. The move will help landing gear manufacturer Héroux-Devtek support its products and meet customer requests without impacting production of landing gear products.

France-based Antavia’s capabilities will facilitate landing gear work, and these include non-destructive testing, machining, surface treatment, and painting. The company has invested in facilities in Paris and Campsas near Toulouse, adding tools, engineering expertise, and infrastructure.

Bell Textron recently announced sales of three Bell 429 light twin-engine helicopters for VIP operations in Europe. The trio of buyers will operate the 429s in the UK and Estonia.

“We continue to see a growing demand for our corporate-configured aircraft in region, especially with the Bell 429,” said Robin Wendling, Bell’s managing director for Europe. “The Bell 429 combines speed, comfort, and luxury, which are three things that are especially ideal for our corporate and VIP customers. We look forward to working with our three new operators as they expand their fleets with this exceptional platform.”

Private jet charter broker LunaJets posted first-quarter revenues of $48 million, a 28% year-over-year increase. The company said it continues to build on strong 2025 performance while tempering its expectations for the broader market this year.

The first-quarter results follow a record 2025, in which Geneva-based LunaJets closed the year with $200 million in revenues, up 20% from 2024. Flight activity grew 10% in the first quarter this year, and the company added close to 300 new customers during the period.