European Business Aviation Market: Potential & Pitfalls

The European Business Aviation market remains a major driver of global demand, presenting a range of opportunities and challenges. Gerrard Cowan asks regional insiders for insights into buying, selling and operating in the continent …

Aurelie Millet, Vice President of Sales at Opus Aero, offers valuable perspective on the regulatory and buyer trends shaping Europe’s business aviation market:

• Strict Regulatory Environment: Millet highlights the complex European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) requirements, including rigorous environmental regulations on emissions and noise. These factors pose challenges for both operators and aircraft owners in Europe.

• Cost-Conscious Buyers: European clients are typically more conservative in spending. They often favor mid-size or light jets and lean toward pre-owned aircraft due to shorter travel distances between cities and lower operational costs.

• VAT & Tax Considerations: Value-added tax (VAT), often 20% or higher, is a major consideration. Millet emphasizes the need for proper tax structuring to optimize liability when registering or importing aircraft.

• Advice for Buyers: She advises buyers to work closely with experienced professionals to navigate financing, certification, and compliance efficiently—especially important given Europe’s high costs and legal complexity.

• Advice for Sellers: For sellers, she recommends tailoring marketing efforts to European buyer preferences and ensuring full compliance with EASA regulations to attract serious interest.

For more details, read the full AvBuyer article here.