How to Buy a Private Jet in 2025

A Complete Guide by AirWise Executive Flight Support.

Thinking about acquiring your own jet? 

The aviation specialists at AirWise Executive demystify the process of aircraft ownership and reveal everything private individuals, family offices, and corporations should know before entering the world of private aviation in 2025.

A New Era of Private Jet Ownership

The private aviation landscape has evolved dramatically in recent years. More than ever, aircraft owners are seeking autonomy, security, and reliability—qualities that have become the new definition of luxury travel. In France and across Europe, this growing demand for independence has reshaped how individuals approach aircraft acquisition.

Buying a private jet today is not merely a symbol of prestige. It is an investment in efficiency, privacy, and time management. The appeal is clear: the ability to depart on one’s schedule, avoid congested commercial terminals, and travel with absolute discretion. Yet, behind the glamour lies a complex process that involves financial, technical, and operational considerations.

This is where AirWise Executive, based at Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (LFMN), steps in—guiding future owners through every stage, from the initial aircraft search to post-delivery supervision and operational setup.

Step 1: Defining Your Needs and Flight Profile

Every successful acquisition begins with a precise understanding of how the aircraft will be used. AirWise works closely with clients to define the purpose of ownership:

• Will the jet be used mainly for personal or corporate travel?

• Are there frequent routes between Europe, the Middle East, or North America?

• How many passengers will typically be on board?

• Will the aircraft be operated privately or under an AOC (Air Operator Certificate) for charter availability?

This strategic assessment determines the most suitable aircraft category—light, mid-size, or long-range—and identifies the most efficient base of operations.

Step 2: Choosing the Right Aircraft

Selecting an aircraft goes beyond design and comfort. It’s about matching performance, range, and operating cost to your travel profile. AirWise’s advisors liaise with certified aircraft brokers and manufacturers across Europe and the United States to provide independent evaluations.

Each potential jet is analysed for:

• Range and payload capacity

• Cabin configuration and comfort standards

• Operating costs (fuel, maintenance, insurance, crew)

• Availability of spare parts and authorised maintenance centres

• Resale value and depreciation curve

Our experts often organise pre-purchase inspections (PPI) with certified maintenance organisations, ensuring that technical, legal, and compliance aspects are verified before any contract is signed.

Step 3: Structuring Ownership & Financing

Private jet acquisition involves more than selecting a model—it’s also about structuring the purchase correctly. AirWise collaborates with specialised aviation finance partners to create custom financing and ownership models tailored to each client’s objectives.

Options may include:

• Direct ownership under a private entity

• Leasing structures for asset flexibility

• Fractional ownership programs for part-time use

• Finance leasing or loan agreements optimised for tax efficiency

Proper structuring ensures the jet remains a cost-controlled, compliant asset that aligns with long-term financial and operational goals.

Step 4: Registration, Compliance & Certification

Once the aircraft is selected, AirWise oversees the registration and certification phase—a critical step often underestimated by first-time buyers. Each registration option (France, Isle of Man, Malta, San Marino, Aruba, etc.) offers unique advantages in terms of taxation, operational scope, and maintenance flexibility.

Our team ensures that:

• All airworthiness documentation is validated and up-to-date.

• The aircraft meets EASA, DGAC, and ICAO standards.

• Insurance coverage and crew licensing comply with jurisdictional requirements.

• Ongoing supervision guarantees continuous airworthiness and regulatory compliance.

Step 5: Selecting a Professional Management Partner

Owning an aircraft is one achievement; operating it efficiently is another. AirWise helps owners appoint the right aircraft management company—responsible for maintenance scheduling, crew recruitment, hangarage, and operational dispatching.

We conduct due diligence on potential partners to ensure they provide:

• Transparent cost reporting

• 24/7 operations support

• Robust safety management systems (SMS)

• Experience with the specific aircraft type

• Access to reputable maintenance and catering providers

By supervising this process, AirWise ensures your jet remains in perfect operational condition, fully aligned with your travel expectations.

Step 6: From Acquisition to Flight Supervision

Unlike traditional consultants, AirWise offers continuity from purchase to operation. Once the aircraft is delivered, our licensed on-site team at Nice Airport provides full flight supervision and VVIP coordination.

Every movement is overseen by an AirWise supervisor—your direct representative on the ramp—coordinating fuel, ground handling, slot management, and customs. For each rotation, we guarantee:

• Seamless arrival and departure coordination

• Real-time communication with operator OCC and flight crews

• Immediate access to DSNA/CDM slot management for schedule protection

• VIP Meet & Greet and concierge assistance for passengers and crew

This end-to-end approach transforms ownership into an effortless experience: your aircraft is both your asset and your sanctuary, managed with precision by professionals who understand every operational nuance of French and European business aviation.

Step 7: Cost Planning & Ongoing Management

A comprehensive financial plan is essential to maintain predictable operating costs. AirWise assists in preparing annual operating budgets, covering:

• Fuel, landing, and parking fees

• Crew salaries, training, and insurance

• Maintenance reserves

• Catering, cleaning, and ramp services

• Hangarage and de-icing contingencies

We also provide transparent supervision reports for every flight, giving owners a clear picture of service quality, vendor performance, and cost efficiency.

Why Choose AirWise Executive

What truly sets AirWise apart is our combination of local authority accreditation and global perspective. Fully licensed by airport authorities at Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (LFMN), AirWise holds complete airside access and operates 24/7 with a multilingual team.

Our presence extends across key French business aviation hubs — Cannes (LFMD), Marseille (LFML), Toulon (LFTH), Avignon (LFMV) — ensuring continuity of service across the entire South of France.

Key Advantages of Working with AirWise

• Officially accredited local supervision at LFMN

• Guaranteed 24/7 operational availability

• Transparent, flexible billing in EUR/USD/GBP

• Direct coordination with ATC & DSNA/CDM for slot optimisation

• Dedicated supervisors handling fuel, GPU/ASU, cleaning, catering

• In-house VVIP inflight catering partnerships with Michelin-starred restaurants in Monaco and Nice

• Tailored crew assistance and logistical support

• Personalised post-operation reports for each flight

In essence, AirWise doesn’t just support aircraft operations — we extend your flight department on the ground, ensuring every movement meets the highest operational and hospitality standards.

Expert Insight: “Freedom with Precision”

According to the AirWise Executive team, buying a private jet should be “an experience as refined as the flights themselves.” The process may appear complex, but with the right partner it becomes a structured, transparent journey.

“Every client is unique,” explains the team. “Some require strategic financing; others already own aircraft and need a local representative to supervise operations in France or Europe. Our role is to transform complexity into simplicity — to make ownership effortless while protecting the client’s time, brand, and investment.”

The Timeline: From Vision to First Flight

When all elements align — from financing to documentation — an acquisition can be completed within six to eight weeks. AirWise coordinates each step with precision:

1. Week 1 – 2: Needs analysis, aircraft selection, preliminary offer.

2. Week 3: Technical inspection, legal review, financing structure.

3. Week 4 – 5: Contract finalisation, registration, and insurance setup.

4. Week 6 – 8: Delivery, acceptance, and first supervised flight under AirWise coordination.

This streamlined workflow combines European regulatory expertise with AirWise’s hands-on operational know-how, guaranteeing a smooth transition from acquisition to active operation.

The AirWise Promise

At AirWise Executive, we believe that owning a private jet is more than an investment—it’s a declaration of independence. From the first conversation to the moment your aircraft touches down, our mission is to provide clarity, control, and confidence at every stage.

Whether you are a first-time buyer or a seasoned owner expanding your fleet, AirWise ensures that every detail—technical, regulatory, or operational—is handled with precision and discretion.

In short: Buying a private jet in 2025 is about combining vision with expertise.With AirWise by your side, that vision becomes reality—securely, smoothly, and seamlessly.

Contact AirWise today to discuss your next operation to or from Nice Côte d’Azur and experience what true operational control means.

Contact our Travel Team now : fbo.nce@airwiseexecutive.com