As European governments grapple with budgetary deficits and pressure to achieve net-zero carbon targets, taxation is being weaponized to make business aviation pay, according to industry organizations. Over the past 12 months, industry leaders are increasingly concerned about the way the sector has been singled out for an “all-stick-no-carrot” approach to market manipulation at a time when Europe’s anemic economies have arguably never been in greater need of the wealth generation that business aircraft can support.

France’s so-called “solidarity tax,” which has been imposed on private charter services since March 1, is the most glaring case of the aggressive fiscal pressure that some see as posing an existential threat to business aviation in that country. Pending increases to the UK’s air passenger duties are another example, and while both sets of taxes also apply to airline passengers, there is an intentionally disproportionate impact on business aviation travelers.

Leonardo is capitalizing on rising demand for corporate and VIP helicopter, with multiple orders set to be announced this week at EBACE 2025. Contract signings are anticipated for at least two models and from customers in Europe and Asia

The Italian group is the only aircraft manufacturer exhibiting at this year’s new-format EBACE show in Geneva, where it is displaying an example of the AW139 Trekker multirole helicopter on the convention show floor. It is seeing healthy demand for its AW139 and AW169, with all models having been boosted by the relaunch of its Agusta VIP helicopter brand in 2021. Leonardo is also marketing the 30th anniversary of its partnership with UK and Ireland distributor Sloane Helicopters this month.

Almost 12 months on from its delisting from the London Stock Exchange, Gama Aviation seems to be relishing its newfound independence with a wave of investments across its business aviation services portfolio. The UK-based group’s chief executive, Marwan Khalek, told reporters during a pre-EBACE briefing that more than $200 million is already committed for projects that include its new FBO complex at Sharjah International Airport (OMSJ) in the UAE and an expansion and modernization of its facility at Jersey Airport (EGJJ) in the Channel Islands.

Much of the capital momentum for the recalibration of Gama Aviation’s business model came from the November 2023 sale of its U.S. maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) subsidiary, Jet East, to West Star Aviation. Now the company is striving to expand its revenues from MRO work conducted for other aircraft operators through the 21 type approvals it holds at its main engineering base in Bournemouth, UK, and at several other facilities.

Bosch General Aviation Technology is backing Vaeridion’s plans to bring a nine-passenger, all-electric Microliner airplane to market by 2030. The offshoot from the German automotive group signed a memorandum of understanding with the Munich-based start-up and will help with the electric drive technology.

The Microliner is intended for scheduled regional air services and business aviation missions of up to around 400 kilometers (217 nm). Vaeridion plans to certify the aircraft in Europe in the next four years and aims for global markets, including North America, by the early 2030s.

AIN’s senior-level Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit (CALS) Europe, set for September 15-17 in Switzerland, will address the latest topics, strategies, and solutions in business aviation. The summit is attendee-centric and serves as an educational and professional networking platform, connecting corporate aviation leaders with peers, industry experts, and solution providers in a relaxed, informal environment. We invite flight department leaders to apply to attend this all-expenses-paid event as our guests.