Business Aviation
2025 Business Aviation Review Highlights Legislative and Industry Progress
The NBAA’s 2025 report covers key wins including tax incentive restoration, FAA privacy rules, global advocacy, and new aircraft unveiled at NBAA-BACE.
This article is based on an official report and press release from the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA).
According to a year-end report released by the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), 2025 served as a watershed moment for the business aviation sector. The association characterizes the past 12 months as a period defined by major legislative victories, a unified global advocacy front, and significant strides in operational safety and mental health support. From the return of critical tax incentives to the expansion of Sustainability mandates, the industry navigated a complex landscape of “sweeping policy changes.”
The NBAA’s review highlights how the industry successfully shifted its narrative on the global stage while securing practical wins for operators and Manufacturers in Washington. Central to this success was the “CLIMBING. FAST.” campaign, which evolved from a U.S.-focused initiative into an international movement, directly countering environmental criticism and “flight shaming” protests across Europe and the United Kingdom.
We examine the key developments outlined in the NBAA’s 2025 retrospective, ranging from the reinstatement of 100% bonus depreciation to the technological leaps showcased at NBAA-BACE in Las Vegas.
The financial and operational landscape for aircraft owners saw substantial improvements in 2025, driven by what the NBAA describes as historic legislative achievements. Two major pieces of legislation stood out in the association’s report.
Perhaps the most significant financial development for the industry was the passage of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA). Signed into law on July 4, 2025, this reconciliation bill permanently reinstated 100% bonus depreciation for qualified business aircraft. According to the report, this benefit applies retroactively to assets acquired and placed in service after January 19, 2025.
This legislative win reversed a scheduled phase-down of tax incentives, which had dropped to 40% earlier in the year. The NBAA notes that this restoration provided immediate “market optimism,” incentivizing fleet renewals and new aircraft purchases across the sector.
The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024/2025 also brought long-awaited changes. For the first time, the legislation included a dedicated title for General Aviation, signaling a formal recognition of the sector’s distinct operational needs. Additionally, the Act addressed security concerns by mandating new privacy rules. These updates allow operators to block their registration information from public dissemination, a critical win for owners concerned about real-time tracking. In 2025, the NBAA’s primary advocacy campaign, “CLIMBING. FAST.”, expanded its reach beyond American borders. The initiative was officially adopted by the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) and the British Business and General Aviation Association (BBGA), creating a unified transatlantic voice.
The campaign focused on highlighting the societal value of business aviation, emphasizing its role in humanitarian relief and job creation, citing 1.2 million jobs supported in the U.S. alone. The effectiveness of this messaging was recognized externally, with the campaign winning top honors in the 2025 PRNEWS Digital Awards for “Cause-Related Campaign.”
“The campaign successfully shifted the narrative to highlight business aviation’s societal value… and its status as a ‘testbed’ for sustainable technologies.”
, NBAA 2025 Report
Beyond policy and PR, the industry made tangible progress in addressing the human element of aviation, specifically regarding pilot mental health.
The FAA updated its guidance for Aviation Medical Examiners (AMEs) in 2025, granting them greater latitude to issue medical certificates to pilots with histories of “uncomplicated anxiety or depression.” This shift aims to move the industry away from a culture of silence toward one of support.
Legislatively, the Mental Health in Aviation Act of 2025 (H.R. 2591) passed the U.S. House of Representatives in September. However, the NBAA report notes that while the bill was introduced in the Senate in November 2025, it has not yet been signed into law.
Sustainability remained a dominant theme, with the 2025 Sustainability Summit focusing on scaling Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Operators faced increasing regulatory pressure, particularly from the EU’s ReFuelEU initiative, which mandated a 2% SAF blend starting in 2025. This requirement forced U.S. operators flying to Europe to adapt their fueling strategies rapidly.
Globally, the market continued to expand. The report projects the Middle East business jet market will reach $26.7 billion by 2028, fueled by infrastructure investments in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The 2025 Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) in Las Vegas served as the launchpad for several high-profile aircraft debuts and operational updates.
For the first time, the convention also included a dedicated “Maintenance Track,” allowing professionals to earn inspection authorization (IA) renewal credits directly on the show floor.
The reinstatement of 100% bonus depreciation is likely the most consequential development for the manufacturing supply chain in 2025. While the “CLIMBING. FAST.” campaign addresses the long-term existential risk of public perception, the immediate tax incentives provided by the OBBBA directly impact order books for 2026 and 2027. By reversing the phase-down that had dipped to 40%, Washington has effectively lowered the real cost of capital for fleet modernization. We expect this to accelerate the retirement of older, less efficient aircraft, inadvertently supporting the industry’s sustainability goals by bringing cleaner engines into service faster than previously projected.
2025 in Review: Legislative Wins and Global Advocacy Define a Pivotal Year for Business Aviation
Legislative and Policy Breakthroughs
The Return of 100% Bonus Depreciation
FAA Reauthorization and Privacy Protections
Advocacy Goes Global: “CLIMBING. FAST.”
Operational Focus: Mental Health and Sustainability
Destigmatizing Mental Health
Sustainability Mandates and Growth
Innovation at NBAA-BACE 2025
AirPro News Analysis
Sources
Photo Credit: NBAA