Why Owning a Jet Is Riskier Than Ever In 2025

How Charter Memberships Like Luxury Aircraft Solutions Offer Certainty in an Uncertain Market

Tariffs, trade tensions, and global supply chain disruptions are sending shockwaves through the private aviation world—driving up costs for parts, aircraft, and operations. If you're an aircraft owner, you've likely felt the pinch. But there's good news: private jet charter memberships are emerging as the smartest, most flexible alternative.

The Rising Cost of Aircraft Ownership in 2025

Private jet ownership has always been a high-cost endeavor, but in 2025, it's becoming more unpredictable than ever. A mix of geopolitical instability, economic protectionism, and escalating tariffs has created a perfect storm for aircraft owners.

Tariffs on Steel and Aluminum

In early 2025, the U.S. government implemented sweeping new tariffs on imported steel and aluminum—materials essential to aircraft construction and maintenance. With a 25% increase on imports from Canada, Mexico, and the European Union, aircraft part prices have spiked dramatically. Routine maintenance is now significantly more expensive, and scheduled overhauls face longer delays due to supply chain issues.

Bombardier and Embraer: Case Studies in Uncertainty

Bombardier (Canada)

Bombardier, a renowned Canadian aircraft manufacturer, delayed releasing its 2025 financial forecast due to uncertainty around new tariffs. With U.S. tariffs targeting Canadian aircraft and materials, Bombardier's costs have risen, and many prospective U.S. buyers are holding back on new orders.

Despite posting an 8% increase in revenue, Bombardier's leadership remains cautious, citing a need to prepare for multiple trade scenarios.

Embraer (Brazil)

Brazil's Embraer has also been affected. Although Embraer maintains a "well-balanced" trade relationship with the U.S., over 60% of its business jet sales depend on American buyers. Tariffs or regulatory frictions between the U.S. and Brazil could increase costs and delivery times for their popular Phenom and Praetor series jets.

Increased operational costs, tighter margins, and tariff uncertainty are pushing aircraft manufacturers to raise their prices, which trickles down directly to aircraft buyers and current owners.

Additional Ownership Costs Skyrocket

Parts and Maintenance

With tariffs in place, key aircraft components like turbines, avionics systems, and airframe parts now cost 10-30% more than they did just a year ago. Parts manufactured abroad—particularly in Canada, Mexico, Brazil, and Europe—now carry significant import duties. Even U.S.-based maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) providers are charging more to offset their increased material costs.

Insurance and Depreciation

Rising replacement costs have increased premiums for jet insurance. Meanwhile, resale values are more volatile due to market uncertainty, regulatory risk, and fluctuating demand. The result? Many owners are stuck with depreciating assets that cost more to maintain and operate than ever before.

Why Private Jet Charter Makes More Sense Than Ever

Against this backdrop, private jet charter has emerged as a smarter alternative. With no ownership burden, charter members avoid the cascading expenses brought on by tariffs, inflation, and international trade disputes.

Enter: Luxury Aircraft Solutions

Luxury Aircraft Solutions has become a leader in this space by offering flexible, membership-based access to private aviation. Their programs are designed to deliver the full benefits of ownership—without the downsides.

Fixed Hourly Rates and Predictable Costs

Luxury Aircraft Solutions offers a Jet Membership program that locks in hourly rates and eliminates hidden fees. Members pay $299 per month (or $3,250 annually), and in return, they gain access to a wide fleet of aircraft at pre-negotiated rates. Unlike owning a jet, you only pay when you fly—and you never worry about maintenance, storage, or surprise repairs.

A Fleet at Your Fingertips

With Luxury Aircraft Solutions, you're not limited to one aircraft type. You choose from light jets for short hops, midsize jets for regional travel, and heavy jets for coast-to-coast or international trips. This kind of flexibility is something owners can't replicate without a multi-aircraft fleet—which is cost-prohibitive for all but the ultra-wealthy.

No Downtime, No Hassle

Aircraft ownership often means dealing with unscheduled maintenance, hangar logistics, and crew availability. With a charter membership, those headaches disappear. Luxury Aircraft Solutions ensures aircraft availability, handles logistics, and provides concierge-level support every step of the way.

Access More Airports, Save Time

Private charter flights can operate from thousands of regional and executive airports that commercial airlines can't reach. You spend less time commuting, less time waiting, and more time enjoying your trip. It’s the most efficient way to travel.

Comparing the Numbers

Let’s take a look at what a typical aircraft owner might spend vs. a charter member:

Jet Owner (Light Jet, 150 hours/year):

• Estimated Annual Costs: $500,000+ (hangar, crew, maintenance, insurance)
• Variable Costs: ~$3,500/hr x 150 hours = $525,000
• Total Annual Cost: ~$1,025,000

Luxury Aircraft Solutions Member (150 hours/year):

• Jet Card Fee: $3,250/year
• Hourly Rate (fixed): ~$6,000/hr x 150 hours = $900,000
• Total Annual Cost: ~$903,250

But here’s the catch: charter members don’t carry capital risk, maintenance liability, crew scheduling problems, or resale uncertainty. For many, that’s worth every penny—and in some cases, hourly pricing is even lower with mid- or light-jet packages.

For Owners Considering a Change

If you’re an aircraft owner reevaluating your portfolio due to rising tariffs or stagnant ROI, it might be time to explore a hybrid or charter-only model. Luxury Aircraft Solutions allows you to maintain the private aviation lifestyle—but with less stress, better cost control, and more aircraft options.

Many former owners have opted to liquidate underperforming aircraft assets and transition to membership-based flying. This pivot frees up capital, reduces tax exposure, and puts them in a better position to weather future market changes.

Final Thoughts: Stability in an Unstable Market

The private aviation landscape is shifting. Tariffs on Bombardier, Embraer, and other foreign manufacturers are raising costs and adding layers of complexity to ownership. Aircraft parts and maintenance expenses are surging. And for many owners, the financial equation no longer adds up.

That’s where Luxury Aircraft Solutions comes in. With flexible charter access, fixed pricing, and world-class service, their Jet Membership program is the antidote to ownership anxiety.

In an uncertain aviation market, one thing is clear: chartering is no longer just an alternative—it’s the superior choice.