- renata927
- Jun 25
- 4 min read
US - UK trade returns to zero-for-zero tariffs on aerospace products
The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) welcomes the Trump Administration’s return to zero-for-zero tariffs on aerospace products from the United Kingdom as part of a June 16 Executive Order (EO). Under the EO, the 10% tariffs on aircraft and parts imports imposed on the UK through previous Trump-initiated presidential actions will no longer apply to these products.
The EO points to the 1979 Agreement on Trade in Civil Aircraft, which applies to over 30 countries and creates a zero-for-zero fair and reciprocal trade agreement in civil aviation. Under that agreement, no tariffs or duties are imposed on civil aircraft, engines or related parts. NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen said, “The 1979 Agreement on Civil Aircraft has had a profound impact on global aerospace advancement. In fact, civil aviation in the U.S. aerospace industry has a $104 billion trade surplus, leading all other sectors, while providing 1.8 million U.S. jobs. NBAA strongly encourages the Administration to return to the 1979 Agreement on Civil Aircraft with the remaining participating countries.”
Dassault Falcon 2000LXS jets to be built in India
Dassault Aviation and Reliance Infrastructure Ltd subsidiary, Reliance Aerostructure Limited (RAL), last week announced at Paris Air Show execution of an agreement to manufacture Falcon 2000 LXS business jets in India for the global market. This is for the first time that Dassault Aviation will manufacture Falcon 2000 jets outside France, positioning India as a strategic global aviation hub.
Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO, Dassault Aviation said: “This new agreement, which will make DRAL the first centre of excellence for Falcon assembly outside France and which will eventually enable the establishment of a final assembly line for the Falcon 2000, illustrates, once again, our firm intent to meet our ‘Make in India’ commitments. Dassault will also transfer the assembly of the front section of Falcon 8X and Falcon 6X, in addition to the wings and complete fuselage assembly of the Falcon 2000 to DRAL. The joint venture between Dassault Aviation and Reliance Aerostructure – DRAL – was established in 2017. The operations commenced with the setting up of a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility at Mihan, Nagpur, later that year. Since delivering its first Falcon 2000 front section in 2019, DRAL has assembled over 100 major subsections for the Falcon 2000.
1.5 million civil aviation professionals needed over next 10 years
An estimated 1.5 million civil aviation professionals will be needed worldwide by 2034, according to CAE’s biennial Aviation Talent Forecast, released last week at the Paris Air Show. The 2025 edition of the forecast analyses the need for pilots, aircraft maintenance technicians, cabin crew, and, for the first time, air traffic controllers, predicting that 71,000 controllers will be needed globally over the next 10 years.
The 2025 CAE Aviation Talent Forecast reports that 1,292,000 commercial aviation professionals will be needed - 267,000 pilots, 347,000 aviation maintenance technicians, and 678,000 cabin crew - with the largest percentage required to meet rapidly rising demand in the Asia Pacific region. In addition, 102,000 business aviation professionals are expected to be needed worldwide over the next 10 years, including 33,000 pilots and 69,000 aircraft maintenance technicians. “The need for 1.5 million new aviation professionals by 2034 is being driven by record demand for air travel and a significant wave of retirements that is expected across all categories. With commercial and business aviation fleets expected to see double digit increases over the next 10 years, the industry must take action to attract, train, and retain personnel,” explains Marie-Christine Cloutier, VP – Strategy, Performance, Air Traffic Services & Marketing at CAE. “To meet the demand, the industry needs to be proactive and creative. Adaptability and optimized training will be key to supplying the demand,” she says.
People: Frederick W. Smith, visionary founder of FedEx, dies at 80
Frederick Wallace Smith, the founder, executive chairman, and long-time chairman and CEO of FedEx Corporation, passed away from natural causes on June 21, 2025, in Memphis, Tennessee. He was 80 years old. His death marks the end of an era for the global transportation and logistics industry; an industry which he founded and revolutionized through his innovative vision and relentless pursuit of excellence.
Born on August 11, 1944, in Marks, Mississippi and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, Mr. Smith was a born entrepreneur. In 1962, he entered Yale College to pursue a degree in economics. While at Yale, the young Smith worked as a charter pilot. After graduating from Yale in 1966, he served four years in the United States Marine Corps (USMC), which included two tours of duty in Vietnam where he served as a rifle platoon leader, a company commander, and aerial observer/tactical air controller in the OV-10A. He was decorated with the Silver Star, Bronze Star, and two Purple Hearts for his military service. Mr. Smith launched Federal Express in 1973 with a fleet of 14 Dassault Falcon jets and a vision to transform the shipping industry. Today, FedEx is the world’s largest express transportation company and employs more than 500,000 team members globally.
In 2022, after serving as one of the longest-tenured Presidents and CEOs of a Fortune 100 company, Mr. Smith stepped aside to become Founder and Executive Chairman of FedEx Corporation. As Executive Chairman, Mr. Smith focused on issues of global importance, including sustainability, innovation, and public policy. Beyond his business achievements, Mr. Smith was a dedicated philanthropist and supporter of numerous charitable causes. He was a devoted father and grandfather, known for his generosity, humility, and unwavering dedication to his family.
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