Europe
Patriotic Millionaires urges Scotland to set high private jet tax to cut luxury emissions
Patriotic Millionaires, a US-based advocacy group, is urging Scottish ministers to impose a high tax on private jet travel to cut luxury emissions and raise public revenue.
Jetex and SOF Connect Sign Agreement to Open VIP Lounge Complex at Sofia Airport
Jetex and SOF Connect signed an agreement to build a VIP lounge complex, Jetex Sofia, in Terminal 1's west wing at Vasil Levski Sofia Airport, expected to handle more than 30,000 passengers in 2027.
First fully UK-built Britten-Norman Islander since production repatriation begins ground testing, targeting September first flight
Britten-Norman's first fully UK-built Islander since the assembly line returned to Bembridge began ground testing after roll-out on 30 July 2026, targeting a September first flight.
Greenpeace UK Calls for Immediate Ban on Private Jets, Citing Ultra-Wealthy's Outsized Aviation Emissions
Greenpeace UK launched a campaign and petition urging the UK government to immediately ban private jets, saying the ultra-wealthy cause half of the world's aviation emissions.
Nice Tops Vista's Global Private Aviation Rankings This Summer as UK Travellers Book Last-Minute
Vista's summer data ranks Nice as its busiest global destination this year, averaging twelve flight movements a day in July and peaking at twenty-nine on the busiest day, as UK booking windows nearly halved.
Italy's Italfly reported to have inducted Citation M2 Gen2
Italian business aviation operator Italfly has added a brand-new Cessna Citation M2 Gen2 to its fleet, expanding its light-jet lineup in Italy.
Belfast City Airport Seeks 27% Rise in Flight Cap, Backs £200M Expansion Plan
Belfast City Airport has applied to raise its annual movement cap 27% from 48,000 to 61,000 and extend operating hours by one hour, backing a £200 million ($273 million) terminal expansion plan.
Ukraine's Civil Aviation Faces Existential Crisis After 52 Months of Shutdown; Airport Reopening Plans Stall
Ukraine's civil aviation sector remains shut after 52 months since Russia's February 24, 2022 invasion, with only Boryspil and Lviv airports retaining working infrastructure among six major hubs.
Metafuels chief says SAF mandates are effective and costs will fall, eyes airline supply from 2030
Metafuels' chief executive said sustainable aviation fuel mandates are working and costs will fall, after the Swiss methanol-to-jet fuel producer opened its first demonstration facility and targets airline eSAF supply from 2030.
Equinox Charter MD Elliot Bottomley on moving from music management to business aviation leadership
Equinox Charter MD Elliot Bottomley says the firm holds ARGUS certification, one of only a handful of European companies to do so, and recounts arranging a five-week Antarctic charter to Union Glacier.
Air Charter Association Expands NextGen Group with Five New Members
The Air Charter Association added five new members to its NextGen Group for young charter industry professionals, a group chaired by Rachel Harvey of Saxon Air.
European Commission Closes Antitrust Probe Into Pratt & Whitney Canada After Settlement
The European Commission closed its antitrust probe into Pratt & Whitney Canada on August 21 after the engine maker agreed to remove restrictions on used serviceable material suppliers' access to turboprop engine cores.
Norway Air Traffic Controller Strike Causes 150 Flight Cancellations and 2,110 Delays Across Europe
An air traffic controller strike at Norway's Avinor triggered at least 150 flight cancellations and 2,110 delays across Europe, with Oslo Gardermoen hit hardest at 75 cancellations by August 24, 2026.
Greece's Tourism Boom Strains Athens Air Traffic Control as Flights Surge 40% Above 2019 Levels
Greek air traffic controllers say Athens-area airspace is overloaded as southeast European traffic runs about 40 percent above 2019 levels, with the control centre staffed at 154 of a needed 250 controllers.
EASA Issues NPA 2026-01 (B) Proposing Amendments to Aerodrome and Air Traffic Service Regulations
EASA issued NPA 2026-01 (B) proposing amendments to EU No 139/2014 and EU 2017/373, covering ground handling arrangements, helicopter safety areas, closed runway markings, and lowering the ADR.OPS.C.015 threshold from 550 to 300 metres.
Engine Events Forecast to Eclipse Airframe MRO in Europe Over Next Decade
Engine maintenance events are projected to outnumber airframe events on European airline aircraft over the next decade, per a 2026 Commercial Fleet & MRO Forecast.
ORIX Aviation to Acquire Wales-Based AerFin in Engine and End-of-Life Aircraft Services Push
ORIX Aviation, the Dublin-based, Japanese-owned aircraft lessor and asset manager, is acquiring Wales-based aftermarket specialist AerFin to expand into engine, component, and end-of-life aircraft services.
Pressure-Data System Failure at Marseille Provence Airport Disrupts 35 Flights, Two Cancelled
A pressure-data system failure at Marseille Provence Airport around 06:00 Saturday disrupted 35 flights, with 21 delayed, 14 awaiting departure by 11:00, and two cancelled.
Air Traffic Controllers' Strike Closes Western Norway Airspace, Strands Hundreds at Bergen Airport
A strike by Norwegian air traffic controllers closed airspace over Bergen and Stavanger, stranding 300 to 400 passengers overnight at Bergen Airport Flesland by Saturday evening.
Strong Winds Rock Aircraft at Forlì Airport as Severe Storm Sweeps Northern and Central Italy
A severe storm with gusts exceeding 100 kilometers per hour tilted and displaced small parked aircraft at Forlì Airport in Emilia-Romagna on August 20–21, forcing a roughly one-hour closure.
GlobeAir Cessna Citation Mustang OE-FFB Flight History: Extensive European Charter Operations
GlobeAir's Cessna Citation Mustang OE-FFB flew multiple daily legs across European cities including Bologna, Geneva, Venice, Belgrade and Nice between 16 and 22 August 2026.
Norway Air Traffic Controller Strike Closes Oslo Airport Sunday, Waivers Available Through Aug. 24
Norwegian air traffic controllers walked off the job August 21 after wage talks with Avinor collapsed, closing Oslo Gardermoen entirely from 6:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, August 23.
Dassault Aviation Shares Close at €299.20, Just Below €300 Analyst Floor, as India's 114-Rafale Order Bid Looms
Dassault Aviation shares closed at €299.20 on August 21, 2026, just below the €300 lowest analyst target, as India's proposed 114-Rafale order remains unbooked.
MTU Aero Engines shares fall 1.92% on August 21 as DAX gains 0.56%
MTU Aero Engines shares closed at EUR 352.40 on August 21, 2026, down EUR 6.90 or 1.92 percent, while the DAX index rose 0.56 percent the same day.
Universal Aviation Operates FBO at Paris Le Bourget Airport (LFPB) with 24/7 Service and Wide-Body Ramp
Universal Aviation runs an FBO at Paris Le Bourget offering 24-hour service on request, a wide-body ramp, and customs clearance typically within 15 to 20 minutes of landing.
Safran Shares Trade at EUR 343.60 After H1 2026 Results, Up 15.47% Year-to-Date
Safran shares closed at EUR 343.60 on August 21, 2026, up 15.47% year-to-date, after Goldman Sachs and Berenberg issued Buy ratings following first-half results.
Czech firm Zuri targets cargo market with hybrid-electric uncrewed VTOL aircraft
Czech company Zuri is entering the uncrewed cargo market with a hybrid-electric VTOL aircraft derived from a technology demonstrator due to fly for the first time next year.
Electra Signs MOU with City of Helsinki and Haaga-Helia University to Study Direct Aviation Across Gulf of Finland
Electra signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Helsinki and Haaga-Helia University on August 27, 2026 to study Ultra Short aircraft service across the 80-kilometre Gulf of Finland to Tallinn.
VIC Properties and Vertical Aerospace Sign MoU to Explore Electric Air Mobility at Portugal's Pinheirinho Estate
VIC Properties and Vertical Aerospace signed a Memorandum of Understanding on July 27, 2026, to explore electric air mobility services at Portugal's 400-hectare Pinheirinho estate in Comporta.
Rolls-Royce and TCS Successfully Run Jet Engine on 100% Hydrogen Across Full Simulated Flight Cycle
Rolls-Royce and Tata Consultancy Services ran a modern aero gas turbine on 100% hydrogen through a full simulated flight cycle, completing a four-year development program.
Zhukovsky National Research Center Patents Four-Engine Wingtip Propeller Aircraft with Automatic Yaw Control
Zhukovsky National Research Center has patented an aircraft configuration with four engines driving two double-row wingtip-mounted tractor propellers, using automatic symmetric shutdown to control yaw on failure.
UK Hydrogen Energy Association warns weakening HEFA cap would undermine green hydrogen e-SAF demand
The UK Hydrogen Energy Association warned that weakening the 92.3% HEFA cap under the SAF mandate would delay demand signals for green hydrogen-based e-SAF, in its response to the DfT consultation.
Gelion Completes APC-Funded ARMD4 Drone Battery Testing with QinetiQ Validation
Gelion completed the APC-funded ARMD4 programme, with QinetiQ independently testing its NES lithium-sulfur pouch cells over 200 cycles for drone applications, on time and within budget.
Concorde: From 1962 Anglo-French Treaty to Final Flight in November 2003
Concorde's history ran from the 29 November 1962 Anglo-French treaty to G-BOAF's final flight from Heathrow to Filton on 26 November 2003.
Electric passenger aircraft could enter commercial service between 2030 and 2035, industry figures say
Transport & Environment's Tom Taylor said electric passenger aircraft could enter commercial service on European short-haul routes between 2030 and 2035, subject to legislation keeping pace with technology.
Airbus ACJ TwoTwenty: Extra-Large Business Jet Based on A220-100
Airbus delivered the second ACJ TwoTwenty, an A220-100-based extra-large business jet, on February 20, 2024, following the first delivery to Five Hotels and Resorts on April 28, 2023.
Dublin Aerospace in Advanced Talks to Reserve Up to 25% of Dublin Airport Maintenance Capacity for Jet Lessors
Dublin Aerospace is in advanced talks with Ireland-based jet lessors to reserve up to 25% of its Dublin Airport maintenance capacity for guaranteed slots.
UK Export Finance signs £750m deal with GE Aerospace to back Prestwick engine overhaul facility
UK Export Finance and GE Aerospace signed a five-year, £750 million financing agreement at the Farnborough International Airshow to fund engine overhaul work at facilities in Prestwick, Scotland, and Wales.
Green Flyway and MD Aircraft Sign MoU to Develop Electric Aviation in Nordic Region
Green Flyway and German aerospace firm MD Aircraft GmbH signed a Memorandum of Understanding to accelerate electric aviation development, testing, and infrastructure across Mid-Scandinavia.
Sigma Advanced Systems adds £125 million Rolls-Royce order to aerospace portfolio via UK subsidiary Bromford Precision Solutions
Sigma Advanced Systems signed a £125 million long-term contract with Rolls-Royce through its UK subsidiary Bromford Precision Solutions, adding to an earlier £300 million agreement.
English High Court Denies Freezing Order in Gulfstream G700 Brokerage Commission Dispute, Orders £250,000 Security for Costs
The English High Court ordered broker Freestream Aircraft Limited to post £250,000 in staged security for costs while refusing a freezing injunction in its commission dispute over the May 2025 sale of a Gulfstream G700.
Noemi Signs MoU with Skyhop Aviation for Up to 15 Electric Seaplanes
Norwegian airline Noemi signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Skyhop Aviation for the acquisition of up to 15 electric seaplanes.
Third Drone and Suspected Military Explosives Found Near Leipzig Airport in Apparent Sabotage Linked to Russia
German investigators found a third drone and about 50 grams of suspected military explosive, likely hexogen, near Leipzig airport on 14 August, ten days after a failed 4 August sabotage attempt.
Rolls-Royce Reports 26% Revenue Rise and Raises Full-Year Profit Guidance for 2026
Rolls-Royce reported first-half adjusted revenue up 26% to £11.3 billion and underlying operating profit up 46% to £2.5 billion, raising full-year 2026 profit guidance to £4.7-4.9 billion.
Norwich Airport to Close All Flights on 28 August as Air Traffic Control Staff Strike Over Pay
Norwich Airport will close entirely on Friday 28 August as air traffic control staff in the Prospect union hold a 24-hour strike over a demanded 10 per cent pay rise.
UK Awards £7.2 Million to Eight Zero-Emission Aviation Projects
The UK government awarded £7.2 million across eight zero-emission aviation projects, including hydrogen refuelling, electric aircraft charging and contrail-reduction work at airports such as Bristol and Inverness.
NTU Completes Flight Testing of Singapore's Homegrown eVTOL After Three-Year R&D Programme
Nanyang Technological University completed flight testing of two Singapore-developed eVTOL demonstrators in Germany, logging close to 40 test flights and 43 and 108 minutes of flight time respectively.
Geneva Airpark Reports Growth Across Multiple Years at LSGG
Geneva Airpark at Geneva Airport reported 2024 activity up around 10%, daily packages up 33% and summer turnover up 200% versus prior periods.
European Private Jet Market: Major Operators, Empty-Leg Deals, and Charter Options Across the Continent
Europe's private jet market features operators Flexjet, NetJets, VistaJet and Wheels Up alongside brokers listing empty-leg routes, including a Paris-Barcelona flight on 12 June priced at €3,000 for two passengers.
Saab Unveils Full-Scale Concept of A3-001 Unmanned Supersonic Aircraft, Aims to Deploy Fighter-Capable Drones by 2030
Saab unveiled a full-scale concept of the A3-001 unmanned supersonic aircraft at the Swedish Armed Forces Air Show, targeting fighter-capable drone deployment by 2030.
Rolls-Royce Patents Hydrogen Fuel System for Gas Turbine Engine, Targets Small and Mid-Size Aircraft by Mid-2030s
Rolls-Royce has filed a patent for a hydrogen fuel delivery system for gas turbine engines, targeting small and mid-size aircraft from the mid-2030s.
EASA Shares 2025 SAFA Ramp Inspection Data Highlighting Recurring Crew and Documentation Failures
EASA shared its 2025 SAFA ramp inspection data with OPSGROUP, showing that recurring findings for business aviation crews centered on flight-planning errors and document-control failures, led by the SAFA-GA Top 5 categories.
Manchester Airport Perimeter Breach Forces 24 Flights to Divert or Hold; TUI Boeing 737 MAX 8 Declares Mayday
A security breach at Manchester Airport late on August 21 forced about 24 inbound flights to divert or hold, and TUI flight BY439 declared a Mayday before landing safely at East Midlands Airport.
Albinati Aeronautics reported to be growing fleet in Switzerland and Malta
Albinati Aeronautics, the Switzerland-based business aviation operator, is expanding its fleet across its Swiss and Maltese operations, with no aircraft types or registrations confirmed yet.
Vista Jet Spotted at Birmingham BHX Carrying Aston Villa Signing Leon Goretzka for Medical
A VistaJet charter aircraft landed at Birmingham Airport on 23 August 2026 carrying Aston Villa's new player Leon Goretzka, who was traveling for a medical examination.
Jersey Airport Achieves Level 4 Airport Carbon Accreditation, Targets Net Zero by 2030
Jersey Airport received Level 4 transformation status under the Airport Carbon Accreditation programme, reflecting progress toward its target of net zero Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 2030.