50 Years of Progress and a Clear View of the Future.
Written by Heather Gordon, Legal Director.
The BBGA is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and the atmosphere reflected it. Balloons, pins and a genuine sense of pride set the tone for a day that looked back at everything the industry has achieved while keeping a sharp focus on what must come next.
For Martyn Fiddler this milestone carried an extra point of pride. We learned that we are the longest standing BBGA member having joined in 1986. That connection, stretching across four decades, underlines our commitment to an industry that keeps evolving and keeps challenging those who serve it.
This was a full day of insight. Data. Security. Skills. Humanitarian impact. Government engagement. Future technology. Industry pressures. Industry strengths. All were covered with honesty and realism.
Here is our complete roundup of what mattered.
The WingX Industry Update
A Market Still Growing but With New Patterns Emerging.
Richard Koe delivered another thoughtful and data rich update. Much of his message was optimistic. Deliveries, transactions, inventory levels, book values and utilisation continue to trend in the right direction. The order book value for business aviation aircraft is at a record high which reinforces what many of us feel every day. This remains a strong market.
There was however a noticeable plateau in the first quarter of 2026 with growth of only three percent. Europe continues to behave very differently to the United States. The US market is five times larger and shows more momentum. Key European markets such as France and Germany have shrunk while northern Europe, Mediterranean regions, Turkey and parts of the Middle East are gaining ground. Within Europe, small cabin activity continues to lag behind the rest of the world.
One of the biggest shifts is the rise of fractional ownership. It is a clear growth story. In contrast corporate flight departments show a sharp decline.
Middle East and Global Influences
Geopolitics and Jet Fuel Pressures.
The situation in Iran and the wider region has influenced activity patterns. There are around seven hundred business aircraft based in the Middle East. Scheduled airlines saw the largest drops while business aviation activity decreased by around five percent. Many aircraft repositioned into other parts of the region, especially Turkey.
There is also a visible increase in charter flights from the Middle East into Europe. One of the most significant data points is the halving of the number of parked aircraft in the Middle East with Dubai showing one of the largest reductions, all just in eight days of the data set.
Jet fuel prices have spiked sharply. Charter operators expect this to feed directly into charter pricing and customer behaviour throughout the year.
Military Use of Business Aviation
A Quiet but Significant Trend.
Military use accounts for roughly two percent of activity but has doubled since 2019. Growth surged after the invasion of Ukraine. The US remains the largest operator of business aircraft, but China is also notable. The purposes vary from intelligence gathering and mobility to evacuation and security operations. Sweden has seen particularly strong use of the PC24 in military roles.
Planes, Permits and PSO Routes
A Complex Balancing Act.
Regional aviation is essential where road or rail cannot serve. Harnessing data sets and using AI to predict passenger needs and design routes more efficiently is essential to keep lifeline schedules alive. EVTOL aircraft, seaplanes and ESTOL designs may become part of regional solutions in the future, but certification and industry disputes make progress slow. The CAA is trying to structure EVTOL certification into manageable steps but there is still a long journey ahead.
Infrastructure remains the backbone of regional and business aviation. Government support is essential. Pilot training and air traffic control shortages also need long term solutions.
There were pointed exchanges about permit delays, weekend availability and government processes. The conclusion was that better planning, clearer communication and stronger political support are required.
BBGA and the Power of One Voice
The AGM reinforced the value of collaboration. BBGA represents the sector from local airfields to Parliament and up to ICAO. They work closely with GA4Biz, UKASF, GAAC and the All Party Parliamentary Group for Aviation. Members were encouraged to bring issues forward. Shared problems are easier to solve than isolated ones.
Two new working groups were highlighted. ‘Future of Flight’ will deal with emerging technologies and new forms of aviation. ‘Future of People’ will focus on skills, training and pathways into the sector.
Stansted College presented strong educational progress.
Ex Military Pathways
A Challenge the Industry Must Solve.
The biggest threat to aviation currently is not pilot supply but engineering shortages. Only fifty six percent of UK licensed engineers actually work in the UK; most are overseas. Eighty five percent of engineers leaving the military do not stay in aviation at all. Recruitment is strong but retention is weak.
The military plans to adopt the CAA licensing model to improve retention and provide clearer routes into civilian roles. Career patterns have changed. People stay five or six years instead of decades. Training and promotion must adapt.
The idea of zigzag careers, moving between military and private industry, was discussed. The private sector is not yet committed to this approach. A balance must be found because leadership skills gained in military service are invaluable.
Final Thoughts
The 2026 AGM showed an industry that is honest about its difficulties but confident in its direction. The 50th anniversary celebrations reminded us of how far the community has come. Data showed growth. Humanitarian operators showed heart. Regulators showed the work still ahead. The skills debate showed the urgency of long term planning.
Most of all the AGM showcased the value of unity. When the industry speaks with one voice it gets things done. BBGA has spent fifty years building that platform. The next fifty will depend on how we use it.
