Now in its 17th year, Ebace, Europe’s premier business aviation event, is going from strength to strength

The 2017 European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (Ebace) will showcase more than 500 exhibitors and 60 business aircraft on static display, with experts set to debate and define the future of the industry.

Hosted by the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) and the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), Ebace takes places May 22 to 24 at Geneva’s magnificent Palexpo.

At the event, thousands of business leaders, government officials, manufacturers, flight department personnel and all manner of officials involved in nearly every aspect of business aviation will meet to conduct business and make buying decisions for the year ahead. 

As the largest European show focused exclusively on business aviation, Ebace promises to bring together all the latest aircraft and aviation equipment manufacturers, industry and government leaders and more. 

One of the highlights of the event will be an opening address by aviation pioneer Bertrand Piccard, who along with fellow adventurer Andre Borschberg, flew a solar aircraft around the world last year, travelling nearly 40,000 km without fuel, a first for energy (see separate story).

Maltese Minister for Tourism Edward Zammit Lewis, whose country currently holds the presidency of the European Council, meanwhile, will share his perspectives on aviation in the European Union (EU) and Britain’s exit from the EU, commonly known as Brexit.

“There are a number of issues the Maltese presidency will need to tackle, not the least of which is Brexit, which will obviously impact air transport in Europe,” says EBAA CEO Fabio Gamba.

One of Brexit’s immediate impacts could be the unblocking of the current slot regulation in the EU. A review was proposed by the European Commission years ago, but has been blocked by the council since then, due to disagreements between Spain and the UK over Gibraltar.

The Maltese presidency could also receive a proposal by the European Commission on the ground handling regulation. A recent attempt to promote competition in ground handling was unfavourably received and subsequently cancelled. The initiative is likely to be revived as an effort sometime in 2017.

“On top of this, the Maltese presidency will probably also need to work on the implementation of the Aviation Strategy,” says Gamba. “The Aviation Strategy, released late 2015, looks at various aspects of air transport in Europe, and puts question marks on some of them in order to address European air transport competitiveness. What do we need to do to be competitive?”

Gamba points to ownership control, air transport agreements and airspace and airport access as some of the issues the council will need to address to boost competitiveness of European air transport. “People will be looking to Malta to show the way now that the document is over a year old,” he says. “We expect Malta will make some steps towards implementing the strategy.”


HOT TOPICS

In addition to Brexit, career growth will be among the hot topics in focus at the show. Attendees will hear from world-renowned experts in business aviation security, environmental best practices and a number of other business aviation hot topics during three days of interactive education sessions.

“Every year, we try to introduce very topical sessions to the agenda so attendees are updated on the latest trends, tendencies and legislation in the European business aviation market,” says Bianca Dorneanu, EBAA’s Events Operations Manager.

“Our annual ‘State of the Industry’ session is always one of the most successful sessions. Other hot topics are security challenges, best practices in environmental impact reduction and the very controversial Brexit and its implications on air transport in Europe.”

Educational sessions include:

• Enhancing Security Together/Business Aviation Security Challenges: This session will present best practices for the business aviation sector and discuss the impact of passenger name records and Regulation 2016/2096 on business aviation.

• Brexit and its Implications on Air Transport in Europe: In this session, experts will help prepare attendees for unknown challenges ahead.

• Best Practices in Environmental Impact Reduction: Environmental experts will discuss alternative fuels, carbon offsetting, air traffic management and weather considerations.

While Ebace has always been known for providing the most knowledgeable presenters and concise education session schedule for business aviation professionals in Europe, this year’s edition will be more interactive and participatory than ever.

This year’s Inspiration Zone features networking opportunities including a women’s networking event titled Aviation Leadership – Cleared for Take Off, the European Business Aviation Communicators Breakfast, and the YoPro Networking Brunch and Debate. 

“This year, we focused on providing more time dedicated to networking opportunities and more interaction between panelists and the audience,” says Dorneanu. “Ebace is an opportunity for different segments of the industry – environmental specialists, security experts, communicators and the next generation of business aviation – to gather and debate.”


CAREERS IN FOCUS

The final day will be dedicated to inspiring future business aviation leaders during Ebace’s first-ever Careers in Business Aviation Day.

“This inaugural event is based on the annual Career Day programme hosted at the NBAA’s annual convention, which has shown year-over-year success,” says Peter Korns, NBAA’s Manager, Operations. “In partnership with the EBAA we want to carry this concept over to Europe, recognising that the challenge our industry faces in terms of the future workforce is in fact a global challenge.”

The Careers in Business Aviation Day includes a general session, where industry leaders will share their stories and passion about business aviation. A university roundtable session will allow students to interact directly with industry professional in an informal setting to learn about possible careers in the industry, and garner advice how best to prepare for a rewarding career in business aviation. All students will have an opportunity to tour the exhibit floor and static display.

“We hope to inspire students and expose them to our great industry. Especially for high school-aged students, this can help plant a seed, introducing them to what our industry is and what we do,” says Korns. “For university students, this event is about providing career planning and guidance.”

Admission to Careers Day is free for all students, while niversity students looking for an expanded experience are encouraged to attend all three days of the show at a discounted rate. “We need to collectively look at how to encourage young people to consider business aviation and explore this industry as a career opportunity,” says Korns.