Europe

Wizz Air has reached half a billion passengers in just close to 22 years since its launch. According to AeroTime, the carrier achieved this milestone faster than any major European peer.

In 2026, Europe is likely to face challenges in its relations with the US, particularly regarding politics and manpower. However, if countries invest in their local industries, the year may prove pivotal.

Two experienced pilots lost their lives in a midair helicopter collision near Hammonton Municipal Airport on December 28, 2025. According to local officials, preliminary information suggests that both aircraft were flying close together shortly after takeoff and may have been traveling together at the time of the accident.

Breaking Defense reports that the US is seeking European allies in a potential conflict over Taiwan. The initiative draws on lessons from Ukraine and leverages European military capabilities.

Starlux Airlines has launched its first ever service to Europe, connecting Prage-Ruzyne (PRG) to Taipei Taoyuan International Airport (TPE). The new service will start on August 1, 2026, with a thrice weekly frequency.

As Europe begins to invest more in military space capabilities, British thermal imagery startup SatVu and Spanish tech firm GMV are among the latest companies to benefit from the trend. SatVu secured $40 million in funding from the NATO Innovation Fund, while GMV expanded its space surveillance program with a new satellite tracking antenna.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered a speech at the Munich Security Conference, where he sought to reassure European allies that the US is not severing transatlantic ties. Rubio emphasized the importance of European security and cooperation, while also acknowledging areas of disagreement with European leaders.

The preowned business aircraft market is firing on all cylinders heading into Q4 2025. According to AMSTAT data, jet and turboprop transactions finished Q3 nearly 10% above the 10-year average, with year-to-date resale activity up 8.

Platoon Aviation has taken delivery of its sixth PC-24 aircraft from Pilatus, expanding its fleet within just three years. Managing Director Deniz Weissenborn highlighted the demand for fast connections to European destinations, citing the popularity of holiday travel and business travel.

Platoon Aviation, a new German business jet operator, has launched its charter airline using the Pilatus PC-24. With two aircraft delivered so far, Platoon aims to offer a unique travel experience with modern amenities.

The Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia (RFDS Central Operations) took delivery of its first PC-24 in early May 2019. Chief pilot Damien Heath gives us his thoughts on the expanded fleet and talks to us about his experience as a PC-24 pilot.

Pilatus owner Gebhard Locher has built a private airfield at his South Tyrol home, featuring a sloping runway and mobile fuelling facility. Only pilots personally known to him are allowed to land here.

Pilatus handed over the fourth Super Versatile Jet to Platoon Aviation at AERO Friedrichshafen. The German charter operator now operates four PC-24s, with more on order.

The National Football League is exploring the potential of supersonic commercial aviation as part of its long-range planning for European expansion. According to the Wall Street Journal, the league has taken an interest in new aircraft programs and faster transatlantic travel, driven by the desire to ease logistical challenges.

Europe is poised to launch its first satellite from the mainland, thanks to the efforts of launch operators who are crucial to the success of spaceports like SaxaVord and Andøya. According to SpaceNews, these operators will play a key role in galvanizing the European space industry, which has long relied on the Guiana Space Centre in South America for its launch needs.

Get1Jet, a French startup based in the south of France, has been operating its new PC-12 NG since November 2017. The company recognizes the potential for charter flights and offers connections from larger airports to destinations with shorter runways.

France's Chief of the Defense Staff, General Fabien Mandon, has warned that developing a new fighter engine will be the toughest challenge facing the Future Combat Air System (FCAS). Safran Aircraft Engines leads the engine pillar, with MTU Aero Engines as its main partner.

flynas has signed an agreement with the Syrian General Authority to establish a new airline, flynas Syria, marking a step toward rebuilding Syria's civil aviation sector. The joint venture will be established as a 51-49 split between flynas and the Syrian authority.

FLYINGGROUP has built a fleet of five PC-24s in just two years, expanding its services to include this next-generation lightweight jet. With agents at eight European airports and an office in Dubai, the company offers exceptional customer experience.

Finnair unveiled seven new European destinations during its Capital Markets Update on November 13, 2025. Starting from the summer season of 2026, the Finnish flag carrier will connect its Helsinki hub to Kuressaare (Estonia), Luxembourg (LUX), Stavanger (SVG), Norway, Thessaloniki /SKG), Greece, Tirana (TIA), Albania, Turin (TRN), and Umeå (UME), in northern Sweden.

The Federal Aviation Administration is gearing up for the busiest Thanksgiving travel period in 15 years, with over 360,000 flights expected between November 24 and December 2, 2025. The peak day will be Tuesday, November 25, with a projected 52,185 flights crisscrossing the national airspace system.

Defense spending in Europe is on the rise, driven primarily by investments from Germany. The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) reports that Europe accounted for over 21 percent of global defense spending in 2025, up from 17 percent in 2022.

Emirates has announced that it will expand its Premium Economy cabin to 10 additional cities across its network, while launching extra daily frequencies to Copenhagen, Phuket and Cape Town. The airline said that the expansion forms part of its fleet retrofit program, which will see Premium Economy available on more than 84 routes by July 1, 2026.

Emirates has announced a third daily flight between Dubai and Nairobi, commencing March 1, 2026. The new service complements existing scheduled flights and will provide multiple connection possibilities via Dubai International Airport.

El Al has announced its first major route expansion since October 2023, adding nine new destinations across Asia and Europe. The expansion will increase the airline's network to a record 60 destinations, with three new Asian routes marking the airline's strongest focus on leisure travel in recent years.

Denmark has retired its F-16 fleet after nearly five decades of service, marking the end of one of Europe's longest-running operations. The Royal Danish Air Force will now operate an all-F-35 combat aircraft force, as announced by AeroTime reports.

Ken and Jen Kelly took their Cirrus SR22T on an epic transatlantic journey, exploring 25 countries across Europe and beyond. With careful planning and preparation, they navigated EU regulations and cultural differences to create a unique flying experience.

China Southern Airlines is relaunching direct flights between Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) and Helsinki Airport (HEL), with Boeing 787-9 services starting March 29, 2026. The route was previously removed due to pandemic disruptions.

Bell Textron has secured six new corporate helicopter orders across Europe, featuring its Bell 505, 407GXi, and 429 models. Announced at European Rotors 2025 in Cologne, the orders originated from undisclosed buyers in Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and Poland.

2026 promises an exceptional calendar of aviation events spanning commercial, defense, space, and general aviation sectors. From Singapore's premier aerospace gathering in February to Las Vegas's business aviation showcase in October, industry professionals will find crucial networking opportunities and technology insights.

Ariane 6 successfully launched two Galileo satellites from Kourou on December 17, 2025, marking another step in the gradual buildup of Europe's next-generation launch system. Manufactured by OHB System AG, each satellite weighs approximately 700 kg at launch and is designed for an operational lifetime of 12 years.

Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury sought to lower tensions around the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) fighter pillar, cautioning against an overly aggressive bet on an unmanned-only future. Faury emphasized that cooperation at scale is key to Europe's competitiveness in defense.

Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury has expressed confidence in the European Future Combat Air System (FCAS) despite ongoing tensions with Dassault Aviation. The program, launched in 2017, aims to deliver a 'system of systems' centered on a next-generation fighter, supported by collaborative drones and a networked combat cloud.

AirAsia X announced plans to establish Bahrain as its first hub outside Asia, connecting Southeast Asia with the Middle East and Europe through a new route to London. The Malaysian low-cost carrier has emerged from one of aviation's most challenging periods with renewed focus and financial discipline, backed by an order book of 374 aircraft.

Air Canada is significantly expanding its transatlantic network for summer 2026, launching five new European routes from its Toronto, Montreal, and Halifax hubs. The carrier will introduce nonstop service to Berlin, Nantes, Brussels, Ponta Delgada, and resume flights to Tel Aviv.

Aeroméxico has announced the launch of two new transatlantic routes, linking its home country to Barcelona and Paris. Starting March 28, 2026, the airline will operate six times a week from Mexico City International Airport Benito Juárez (MEX) to Barcelona-El Prat (BCN), and thrice-weekly nonstop service between Monterrey (MTY) and Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG).

Aviation Capital Group has delivered the first Airbus A220-300 to Italian carrier ITA Airways, marking a significant milestone in the lessor's growing A220 portfolio. The delivery represents the first of five aircraft ACG will provide to ITA Airways under a broader lease agreement, as the Italian airline continues its strategic fleet modernization.