More than 400 exhibitors and nearly 11,000 people attended the European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (EBACE 2009), marking the third largest attendance ever for the European event. Attendees included enthusiasts and industry participants from Europe, North America, the Middle East, Asia and Africa.
“This year’s EBACE has met and exceeded all expectations,” said Brian Humphries, president and CEO of the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA). “More than ever, EBACE demonstrated that business aviation is the right tool for challenging times…[and] I take great encouragement from the level of participation and support we had for this year’s event, and from all the favorable comments we have received from exhibitors.”
The attendance was somewhat surprising, given the recent spate of negative publicity surrounding business aviation. “As everyone knows, the business aviation community has been confronting one of the worst economic storms anyone can remember,” said Ed Bolen, president of the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA). “That EBACE would have its third-largest turnout this year demonstrates the value of the show to our industry.”
The Benefits of Business Aviation
The theme of the 2009 event was appropriate, given the problems the industry has been facing: "Business Aviation - The Right Tool for Challenging Times." The main focus of the show, therefore, and the topic of the event’s opening session, was highlighting the role of business aviation in supporting the European economy, creating jobs and providing economic opportunity.
A recent study, the results of which were announced at EBACE, found that in 2007, business aviation was responsible for 167,000 jobs and contributed €19.7 billion ($27.6 billion) to the economy. The UK, Germany and France benefited the most from business aviation activity, but it also had a large impact in Italy, Austria, Switzerland and Portugal.
EBAA, NBAA, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) and the European General Aviation Manufacturers Group also hosted a session entitled, “Business Aviation: Perception Versus Reality,” to “inform policymakers and opinion leaders about the true value of business aviation to citizens and communities in all parts of the world.”
Presentations
In addition to addressing the importance of business aviation and highlighting its many benefits, a host of other topics were also discussed. Topics included:
- The Single European Sky is Coming -- Will You Be Ready? The New Avionics in the Cockpits for Operations in Europe
- EASA OPS Rules Are Here Now and Could Change Your Business. Are You Ready to Respond to the NPA Before It Is Too Late?
- Airport Access -- THE Challenge for Business Aviation in the 21st Century. Slot Control Methodology -- Now and in the Future
- SMS is Already an International Requirement – Are You Ready?
- The Changing Operating Environment in Europe -- Environmental Trading Schemes and MRV Are Here Now
The organizers also awarded a European Business Aviation Award to Marwan Khalek, CEO and co-founder of Gama Aviation Limited, and officials at the Lyon-Bron Business Airport for their "tireless advocacy on the industry's behalf" and for promoting "the economic value business aviation brings to the community." The awards are presented each year at the EBACE event.
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