IBAC is presenting the first International Standard for Business Aviation Handling (IS-BAH) registration in Europe today at EBACE, one year after the program was unveiled to the business aviation ground-handling and operator community. Today’s IS-BAH panel discussion is scheduled at 11 a.m. in the Inspiration Area of Hall 3.

The IS-BAH program builds on the success of the International Standard for Business Aviation Operations, but is tailored for ground handling and incorporates the NATA Safety 1st Ground Audit Program. IBAC formally launched the program in July 2014, and since then a number of FBOs and handling agencies have begun the registration process.

Three registrations have been awarded so far: the first to SRC Aviation in Bangalore, India; the second to American Aero at Meacham International Airport in Fort Worth, Texas; and the third, announced just this week, SkyValet at Cannes Mandelieu. SkyValet is thus the first European operation to receive the designation.

The IS-BAH standards board, comprising FBOs and handlers from North America, Europe and the Middle East, met here at EBACE on Monday for the first time to review and update the standard. IS-BAH program director Terry Yeomans said the standards board took “progressive steps” in ensuring that IS-BAH implementation will help FBOs and ground handlers maintain and improve processes.

NATA president and CEO Tom Hendricks added that the standards board meeting “demonstrates the commitment of our industry to support a single, worldwide operational safety standard for business aviation.”