European Bizav Already Weak—And Then Came War | Aviation International News

European Spotlight with Aero Friedrichshafen 2026

European Bizav Already Weak—And Then Came War

With discriminatory taxes and SAF mandates, European governments have left their aviation sector with a sluggish growth rate

European business aircraft — © Mark Wagner/AIN

By Charles Alcock • Managing Editor

By Charlotte Bailey • News Reporter

April 28, 2026

Focusing on the bright side, the European business aviation industry might take comfort from the fact that Extinction Rebellion and other environmental direct-action lobbyists seem to have lost their appetite for invading airports to damage business jets. That was very much in vogue two or three years ago, and cynics might now conclude that Europe’s governments are doing the work of Greta Thunberg and her fellow eco-warriors with their efforts to stifle the sector through allegedly discriminatory taxes and measures such as its ReFuelEU sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) mandates.

The escalating impact of the Iran War—now in its ninth week—has significantly exacerbated the pressure on business aviation. On top of severe operational restrictions in the Middle East itself, the ongoing blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is threatening to curtail jet A supplies, and has caused a severe spike in fuel prices and operating costs.

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