The 2016 edition of the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (Ebace 2016) opens today at the Palexpo conference centre in Geneva, Switzerland.

With more than 450 exhibitors, 60 aircraft on a sold-out static display of aircraft and a dozen education and networking sessions, the 2016 edition is set to to be one of the largest it’s ever been.

The premier event and the annual meeting place for the European business aviation community, the three-day Ebace will run until Thursday. The convention brings together business leaders, government officials, manufacturers, flight department personnel and all manner of people involved in nearly every aspect of business aviation. 

The show is co-hosted by the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) of the US and the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA).

Yesterday, organisers hosted a safety workshop, International Aircraft Transactions Seminar, media luncheon and more than a dozen press conferences featuring the latest industry news. 

This year’s edition covers more than 36,000 sq m of space, 60 state-of-the-art business aircraft in a static display covering 18,000 sq m, and is expected to attract 13,000 aviation professionals from around the world.

“In the face of ongoing challenges within business aviation, Ebace 2015 was a great success, well-attended by industry representatives from around the world,” says Chris Strong, senior vice president of conventions and membership at the NBAA. “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 display will include some surprise appearances and announcements,” says Strong. “Europe is still both a challenging and promising marketplace for business aviation, but the growth of this show year after year demonstrates the relevance of business aviation in the region. Without a doubt, this year’s attendees will be impressed by the number and quality of aircraft on static display and the wide variety of vendors on the exhibit floor.”

Last year’s edition marked the premiere of a new young professionals networking event; introduced attendees to the Inspiration Zone, which brought sessions about timely industry topics to the show floor; and featured a sold-out static display of aircraft. Last year also marked the 15th year of Ebace as the leading European business aviation education event and trade show. The milestone was celebrated with an awards luncheon focused on the founders of Ebace and other celebratory events.

“Attendees will be challenged and inspired by the opening general session speakers,” says Strong. “The Inspiration Zone will be back on the exhibit floor with ‘Women in Aviation’ and ‘Young Professionals’ networking events to help business aviation experts in the region expand their career skills and attendees of all experience levels will find something exciting and new on the exhibit floor, static display and high-quality educational sessions.”


KEY SEMINARS

The 2016 education sessions will focus on issues of importance to companies operating business aircraft in Europe, including the changing European operating environment, safety management systems, security requirements, airport and transatlantic access issues, and more.

Today will feature three sessions: ‘State of the Industry: Business as Usual is Not Good Enough’, ‘Climate Change: is Business Aviation on its Way to Keeping its Promises?’, and ‘Capacity and Connectivity: Satellite-Based Technologies to the Rescue’.

An Ebace spokesman elaborates: “Since 2009 and its unprecedented downturn, professionals have hoped that things would return to normal. But this has not happened and maybe a new approach is needed. Other sectors in the air transport industry have been faced with similar traumas. ‘State of the Industry’ will examine how they have coped with it and if such solutions would work for us.

“Meanwhile, after heated debates at COP-21 in Paris in November 2015, all eyes are now on the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) to see if a global deal for aviation CO2 (carbon dioxide) emissions can yet be clinched. But will it live up to expectations and what are the plans for business aviation and small emitters in general? Meanwhile, the industry hasn’t simply waited but has a number of initiatives under way, as the climate session will find out.

“While the Commission’s Aviation Strategy is a welcome attempt at improving the competitiveness of the European air transport industry, detractors criticise both its lack of internal focus and the imbalance of the measures proposed, as they favour major airlines and airports but does little for general aviation. ‘Capacity and Connectivity’ will focus on how, 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 boost its connectivity.” 

Tomorrow’s session will focus on consolidation, just culture, and skills shortage.

The spokesman continues: “Amidst economic ups and downs, consolidation is unfolding at a pace never seen before in the sector. For long, pundits believed the specificities of business aviation would act as barriers to large-scale mergers and acquisitions, but recent transactions have paved the way to new business models. ‘Big is Beautiful: Consolidation in BusAv Accelerates and, if so, with what Consequences?’ will debate if business aviation will follow the same route as other sectors, with the emergence of multinational businesses and if so, will they deliver positive synergies and economies of scale, or are there hidden obstacles that will prevent the sector enjoying the benefits of consolidation?

“The session on ‘Just Culture, Unjust Application: What is Currently Being Done to Deploy It?’ looks at how the concept of ‘just culture’ is often misunderstood. Indeed, it is also interpreted differently according to the cultural background of the country or the company implementing it. It will show what is being done to promote its application not only within the industry, but also outside it.

“In ‘Shortage of Skills in Aviation in Europe: Myth or Reality?’, panellists will focus on how stakeholders within the business aviation value chain are realising that finding and hiring the skilled workforce they need to succeed is becoming increasingly difficult and expensive and what can the sector do to meet its needs in the years ahead?”


WOMEN IN FOCUS

Tomorrow will also feature the Project Ideas Challenge, a session on industry standards and the networking events for young professionals and women in aviation.

After a first successful event last year, Ebace is holding the women’s event for the second time dedicated to female aviation professionals, still an unacceptably small minority in business aviation, for them to meet, mingle, and share their experience with the younger generation. They will do so around themes moderated by female leaders. This is not an exclusive event, and men are encouraged also to join the debate on why women in key positions continue to be relatively few in the sector and how balance can be restored.

For the second Young Professionals networking event, young professionals will be invited to take advantage of networking with established professionals, connecting with career mentors, having exposure to a wide range of aviation backgrounds, and building a better understanding of the business aviation industry. This is addressing under 35 mostly, although anyone young at heart will be warmly welcomed.

The final day will focus on skills and careers, dedicated to students considering a career in business aviation. Industry insiders will shed light on what it takes to work in the sector.