News Release

ACC Aviation looks ahead to charter landscape in 2026 with comprehensive analytical report

ACC Aviation, a major provider of ACMI (aircraft, crew, maintenance, insurance), charter and consulting services, has released a charter trends report for 2026. “Our experts have closely analysed new regulatory mandates, regional specificities and shifting customer behaviour, and identified their impact on pricing and demand,” shares Charlie Wilcox, director of charter.

The private aviation sector enters 2026 with considerable momentum. Continued confidence in the value of on-demand air travel is signalled by global business jet activity in 2025, in which 3.9 million flights were recorded between January and August alone. However, the new year will welcome new challenges that will reshape the operating environment.

In Europe, new levies taking effect will have the largest impact on budget and planning in 2026. France's “solidarity tax” introduced in March 2025 will charge from €210 to €2,100 per passenger, depending on aircraft and distance; whilst the United Kingdom will increase Air Passenger Duty (APD) on private flights from 1 April 2026, adding over £1,000 per passenger for long-haul and Band B flights. “Factoring these costs into trip budgets and routing through jurisdictions with lower levies will become an integral part of charter planning in 2026,” voices Wilcox.

In 2025, crude oil prices were lower than the previous year and are forecast to remain stable going into 2026. Whilst this may decrease the cost of jet fuel, ACC expects European operators to offset this reduction due the growing cost of sustainability measures in the region. Under the EU's ReFuelEU Aviation regulation, all fuel uplifted at EU airports must contain a minimum proportion of sustainable aviation fuel, which remains considerably more expensive than Jet A-1.

“Regional differences will remain pronounced,” says Mike Jennings, vice president commercial, America. “Whilst Europe faces rising taxation and heightened environmental restrictions, North America is set for continued growth, thanks to the region's large domestic network and the absence of national departure laws.”

With continued regional differences, ACC expects geopolitical volatility to be the primary forces shaping the global charter aviation landscape. “Unpredictable developments, particularly in regions such as Ukraine and Venezuela, are likely to disrupt commercial networks, alter airspace access and drive sudden surges in demand for flexible, secure air travel. In this environment, charters increasingly serve as reactive solutions that respond to global conditions, as well as tools for pre-planned events,” explains Wilcox.

Wilcox and his team also observe a shift in customer behaviour. “Established corporates are becoming more cost-conscious, often prioritising efficiency and savings over traditional travel patterns. At the same time, new entrants, especially high-growth fintech and technology-driven businesses, are beginning to explore charter aviation for the first time. These organisations value speed, control and security, and are more willing to adopt charter solutions when commercial travel proves restrictive or unreliable.”

As geopolitical uncertainty continues into 2026, ACC believes forward planning and access to informed operational advice will be critical. “There will always be a charter requirement for matters on the international stage, particularly sporting events,” says Wilcox. “These clients are encouraged to remain flexible on routing and airport selection; consider jurisdictions with favourable regulatory and cost structures; and select aircraft types that balance resilience with value.

“However, businesses and private travellers are navigating an increasingly unstable global environment; these clients are therefore advised to partner with experienced providers that will be essential in ensuring reliability and peace of mind.”

ACC is prepared for the challenges of the coming year, closely monitoring slot availability, analysing airport networks and working closely with operators to ensure that private aviation continues to deliver its unmatched flexibility. The full report is available on the ACC Aviation website.