Shearwater Aero Capital, a global corporate aviation finance specialist, has analyzed the market trends and come up with a stunning prediction for the future of European private aviation: the fleet might grow by as much as one-third over the next five years. The company expects that as many as 1,071 new private jets worth $38.5 billion could be delivered in the region by 2025. Current estimates peg the European private business jet fleet at 2,282 aircraft, with more than 1,000 heavy jets, just under 300 medium-size jets, and 869 light jets.
“Europe is an attractive region for business aviation finance companies such as ours,” said Shearwater Aero Capital managing partner Chris Miller. “The market here is increasingly focused on using financing to purchase business aircraft as opposed to just paying cash.”
According to Shearwater, 2018 was its strongest year yet, accounting for 60 percent of the company’s business since it launched in 2014. Last year, the average loan it made was $7 million. Following on the banner year, the company is now looking to raise $200 million in capital to support further growth, given the optimistic analysis for potential sales in the region.