The European Commission is seeking industry comment on the current state of general aviation in Europe, and on issues affecting its future. The 35-page discussion paper published on February 1 summarizes previously disclosed data showing business aviation to be a growing sector within general aviation and estimates that the continent’s business jet fleet could grow by 50 percent over the next decade to reach some 3,000 aircraft. The document, called General Aviation in the European Community, doesn’t tell the European business aviation community anything it doesn’t already know about the industry. However, it does give stakeholders the chance to comment on issues such as future environmental restrictions, proposed changes to the regulation of fractional ownership operations and the possible effect of very light jets. April 1 is the initial deadline for industry comments, which should be directed to
mikolaj.ratajczyk@ec.europa.eu.