Asset Finance

Business Jet Finance

Finance for corporate business aviation - company-owned jets, AOC charter operations, and aircraft management structures. Finance for the corporate aviation market from specialist aviation lenders who understand how businesses use aircraft.

£1m-£70m
Corporate jet facilities
From 7.0%
APR indicative
48-72hrs
Credit decision
Corporate
Structures supported
Finance Options

The right structure for your aviation requirements

Company Aircraft Finance

Finance for a jet owned by a UK limited company. Corporation tax capital allowances on qualifying business use. VAT reclaimable on wholly business-use aircraft. Finance structured through the company as borrower.

AOC Charter Fleet Finance

Finance for AOC-holding charter operators adding aircraft to their managed fleet. Charter income assessed as part of the affordability case. Specialist aviation lenders with commercial operator knowledge.

Aircraft Management Structures

Finance for aircraft held in management companies or leased to charter operators while retaining private use. Complex structures handled by specialist aviation finance lenders and tax advisers.

Fleet Finance

Finance for multiple aircraft in a single company facility. Corporate aviation departments replacing or expanding their fleet with consolidated fleet terms from specialist aviation lenders.

Secured Aircraft Loan

Fixed or floating rate secured loan against the aircraft. Typical terms 5-15 years. LTV 60-80% depending on aircraft type and borrower profile.

Sale & Leaseback

Release capital from a corporate aircraft you already own. Useful for companies realising equity from an aviation asset while retaining the aircraft for continued operational use.

The Process

How it works

01

Corporate details

Company structure, purpose of aircraft, business use percentage, AOC status (if applicable), and aircraft type and specification.

02

Specialist lenders

Corporate aviation finance is handled by specialist private banks and aviation lenders. We match the company profile and aircraft type to the right lender.

03

Tax and structuring advice

UK company aircraft ownership has specific tax implications - capital allowances, VAT, and the private use benefit-in-kind charge all require specialist advice. We recommend specialist aviation tax advisers alongside the finance arrangement.

04

Settlement

We settle with the seller or manufacturer. All corporate documentation completed by aviation solicitors.

Ready to discuss Business Jet Finance?

Call 0204 6211776 or complete our enquiry form. Indicative terms typically within hours.

Market Overview

The UK business jet finance market is served by a mix of specialist asset finance houses, high-street banks with aviation desks and challenger lenders. In October 2026, indicative rates for G-registered business jets range from 5.5% (Lombard/HSBC relationship banking) to 12% (Hampshire Trust secured lending). The right lender depends on ticket size, aircraft registration, intended use, borrower structure and relationship history.

Doulton Bridging Finance works across the whole market - including lenders not available directly - to find the optimal structure for your acquisition.

Lender Panel at a Glance - October 2026

LenderRate RangeMin LoanMax TermRegistration
Lombard5.5%–9.5%£100,00010 yearsG, N, M-reg
HSBC5.5%–9%£500,00010 yearsG-reg primarily
NatWest6%–9.5%£250,00010 yearsG-reg
Lloyds6%–9%£500,00010 yearsG-reg
AIB UK6.5%–10%£250,00010 yearsG, EI-reg
Close Brothers7%–11.5%£100,0007 yearsG, N, EI, M, Guernsey
Hampshire Trust7.5%–12%£100,0007 yearsG-reg

All rates indicative, subject to credit, survey and aircraft age. Rates as at October 2026.

Types of Business Jets We Finance

Very Light Jets (VLJ)

Eclipse 550, Cirrus Vision SF50, HondaJet Elite. Typically £500k–£1.5m. Close Brothers and Lombard most active in this segment.

Light Jets

Cessna Citation CJ3+, Embraer Phenom 300, Learjet 75. £1m–£4m. Wide lender appetite. Citation finance • Phenom finance

Midsize Jets

Citation XLS+, Hawker 800XP, Learjet 60XR. £2m–£6m. Most lenders comfortable here.

Super-Midsize Jets

Citation Longitude, Bombardier Challenger 350, Gulfstream G280. £4m–£15m. SPV structures common.

Large-Cabin Jets

Bombardier Challenger 605/650, Gulfstream G550, Dassault Falcon 7X. £10m–£50m+. HSBC and Lloyds preferred for large tickets. Challenger finance

Common Finance Structures

Hire Purchase (HP)

You own the aircraft outright at the end of the term after making all scheduled payments. Most common for owner-operators and private buyers. Capital allowances may be claimable by the business. Chattel Mortgage The lender takes a mortgage over the aircraft as security. Often used by Lombard. Ownership transfers at outset; aircraft can be registered in borrower's name from day one. Finance Lease The lender owns the aircraft; you use it under lease. Off-balance-sheet treatment possible under some accounting standards. Balloon or residual value at end.

Operating Lease

True operating lease with no ownership transfer. Lender or lessor retains residual risk. Common for charter operators and airlines. Off-balance-sheet for lessee under some standards. SPV / Special Purpose Vehicle The aircraft is held in a dedicated company, ring-fencing liability and potentially improving VAT efficiency. Many lenders will lend to an SPV structure. See our SPV structure guide. Refinancing Already own a business jet? Refinancing can release equity, extend your term or move to a more competitive rate.

Typical Ticket Sizes

Guides & Rate Pages

More business jet finance guides

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

Can a company claim capital allowances on a business jet?

Yes - a company can claim capital allowances (including annual investment allowance up to the AIA threshold) on an aircraft used for qualifying business purposes. The private use element reduces the claimable proportion. Specialist aviation tax advice is recommended.

Can a company reclaim VAT on a business jet purchase?

VAT is reclaimable where the aircraft is used exclusively for business purposes. Mixed private/business use requires a proportional claim. The position is complex - specialist VAT advice from an aviation tax specialist is recommended.

Is a benefit-in-kind charge incurred when a director uses a company jet?

Yes - private use of a company-owned aircraft by a director or employee creates a benefit-in-kind charge under HMRC rules. The BIK value is based on the cost to charter an equivalent aircraft for the same journey. Specialist tax advice is essential.

Can an AOC charter operator use charter income to support jet finance?

Yes - specialist aviation lenders experienced with AOC operators will assess charter income, fleet utilisation, and operator history alongside the company financials.

What is the typical term for corporate aircraft finance?

Typically 5-12 years for corporate jets, depending on the aircraft's age, value, and the company's preferred financial structure. Longer terms reduce monthly payments but increase total interest cost.

What types of business jets can be financed in the UK?

Most UK lenders will finance VLJs, light jets, midsize, super-midsize and large-cabin aircraft registered G, N, M or EI. Age, charter use and SPV ownership all affect lender appetite.

What is the minimum loan size for business jet finance?

Most specialist lenders start at £100,000, but the major high-street banks (HSBC, Lloyds, NatWest) typically require £250,000–£500,000 minimum for business jet lending.

Can I finance a business jet through a limited company or SPV?

Yes. Most lenders are comfortable with Ltd company borrowers, and many large-ticket purchases use a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) structure for liability protection and VAT efficiency.

How long does business jet finance approval take?

Approval timescales vary by lender. Close Brothers can issue heads of terms in hours; larger banks typically take 2–4 weeks for full credit approval. Doulton Bridging Finance can advise on the fastest route for your situation.

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