This year’s European Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (EBACE) will kick off in Geneva, Switzerland in just over a month after the ABACE show wraps up. It promises to be the largest ever, with the usual three main show days, which this year fall on Tuesday, May 24 to Thursday, May 26.
The organizers, NBAA and EBAA, said that they will “build on the success of the 2015 show” when there were several key changes, including making the former OEM hall, Hall 7, into a corridor to the static display only, and making the main hall far larger to accommodate the OEMs.
EBACE 2015 featured nearly 500 exhibitors with almost 60 aircraft on the static display, and attendees came from more than 100 countries. The 2016 event is expected to have similar numbers and will again feature the Inspiration Zone, which last year was the location for a session on unmanned aircraft systems, an inaugural young professionals networking event and a session on skills and careers.
“In the face of ongoing challenges within business aviation, EBACE 2015 was a great success, well attended by industry representatives from around the world,” said Chris Strong, NBAA’s senior vice president of conventions and membership. “We expect EBACE 2016 to have another strong turnout, and we have many educational and networking opportunities, as well as compelling speakers, planned for attendees.”
“This year’s sold-out aircraft display will include some surprise appearances and announcements,” said Strong. This could include an appearance by the Pilatus PC-24, which is expected to be certified in 2017.
NBAA, EBAA, Palexpo SA and Geneva International Airport recently signed new agreement that will see EBACE continue at the Palexpo Convention Center at Geneva Airport for another five years. The annual event has taken place at the Geneva convention center since 2001.
The static display will include a wide range of business aircraft. The list has not been finalized yet but it already includes everything from a Nextant 400XTi, Pilatus PC-12, Quest Kodiak, HondaJet, Avanti Evo and Daher TBM 900 to a Boeing 757-200 from Avjet, as well as a range of other business jets and helicopters.
After the opening general session on May 24, the afternoon will feature a panel discussion on the state of the industry. “Since 2009 and its unprecedented downturn, business aviation professionals have hoped that things would return to ‘normal,’ but this has not happened and maybe a new approach is needed,” the organizers said. “Other sectors in the air transport industry have been faced with similar traumas. How have they coped with it and would such solutions work for us?”
This will be followed by a session on climate change and whether business aviation looks likely to fulfil its promises on reducing emissions footprint, and then a discussion titled “capacity and connectivity: satellite-based technologies to the rescue,” to be held in the Inspiration Zone. This session will look at the European Commission’s new Aviation Strategy, noting that “detractors criticize both its lack of internal focus and the imbalance of the measures proposed, as it notoriously favor major airlines and airports but does little for general aviation.”
“The capacity crunch is a case in point,” said the organizers. “Regional airports, somehow neglected in the [Aviation Strategy] document, could yet play a vital role in alleviating traffic at major hubs if they were correctly used. For instance, thanks to the use of modern satellite-based technologies enabling precision approaches, Europe could quickly, safely and cost efficiently improve considerably the use of its airports grid, and hence boost its connectivity. But the political will so far is lagging.”
The second day will start with a session on consolidation in business aviation and an examination of any consequences, good or bad, and whether business aviation is moving towards a norm of more multinational companies. After this, while the thousands of visitors wander the vast exhibition halls, the conference room discussion will turn to just culture.
Other sessions will look at the skills shortage, and whether it is a “myth or reality,” industry standards and two networking events–one a debate for young professionals and another being a Women in Aviation networking event, repeating last year’s successful first run.
The last show day will then focus on skills and careers. “Everything you’ve always wanted to know about business aviation and were afraid to ask” will be a session for students considering a career or for those curious to know more about the opportunities in business aviation. Industry insiders will also shed light on what it takes to work in the sector.
