Wouldn't it be easier to use Starlink or am I missing something?

Starlink requires new antenna / hardware to be fitted to the aircraft.

This approach doesn't require aircraft changes (and revalidation) - aircraft use the same radios. The satellites provide a relay.

Starlink has shut down service suddenly, surprising the customer. That's a big no for the extremely safety-minded aviation regulators. A BIG no.

Yes but Elon did some stuff Europeans don't like, so they don't want to use Starlink.

They use it in the drones they build for Ukrain. Typical european..

One case requires long term reliability, the other is for drones that are planned to explode in the next few weeks.