Organisers wrapped up the highly successful edition of EBACE, pointing to the many ways the show highlighted the innovation and investment driving the future of business aviation.

Co-hosted by the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) and the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), EBACE2019 is the annual meeting place for the European business aviation community and a premier event for business aviation operators around the globe. It took place from May 21 to 23 at Geneva Airport and the Palexpo conference centre.

As the largest European show focused exclusively on business aviation, EBACE brought together all the latest aircraft and aviation equipment manufacturers, industry and government leaders and more.

“The excitement and enthusiasm surrounding this year’s show has been palpable throughout the week,” said European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) Secretary General Athar Husain Khan. “EBACE2019 was characterised by new products, new business models, new investment opportunities and a new generation of aviation professionals determined to make their mark.”

“Business aviation continues to change right before our eyes, and here at EBACE, we have seen and touched the industry’s future,” said National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) President and CEO Ed Bolen. “We’re finishing EBACE inspired by a vision of sustainable flight, urban air mobility and other game-changing innovations.”

Khan and Bolen pointed to a host of EBACE “firsts” and other elements that highlighted the value of the event, and business aviation, as never before.

The first-ever EBACE Innovation Pavilion showcased three different electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft and concepts, from FACC AG, MAEM and Pegasus. Next to this display, the Innovation Zone hosted a panel presentation on eVTOL and the urban air mobility revolution.

Of the 58 aircraft on the sold-out outdoor display, 23 arrived powered by sustainable alternative jet fuel (SAJF), as part of the inaugural EBACE SAJF “fly-in,” a milestone in demonstrating the industry’s support for development and adoption of the fuel. The fly-in followed on the heels of the “Fuelling the Future” demonstration day, held on May 18 at TAG London Farnborough Airport.

The static display was also a location for other “firsts” among aircraft manufacturers: Bombardier’s Global 7500 made its post-certification debut at EBACE, and Embraer displayed the new Praetor 600 aircraft for the first time since being certified in Europe, the US and Brazil.

The show floor spanned three halls at Palexpo, featuring nearly 400 exhibitors, including 10 new to EBACE, which were prominently located in the show’s New Exhibitor Pavilion.The packed halls were continuously filled with attendees representing more than 80 countries.

The EBACE opening keynote session featured Volocopter CEO Florian Reuter, who described his company’s eVTOL air taxi as “the perfect complement and addition to business aviation”, as well as UK Member of Parliament Grant Shapps, who called business aviation “essential”, and predicted of EBACE: “We will be here in another decade’s time with this exhibition bigger and more important than ever.”

EBACE2019 featured a number of new, well-attended Innovation Zone sessions, including an interactive “Shark Tank”-style presentation of future leaders’ proposals for encouraging corporate social and environmental responsibility.

The show’s Careers in Business Aviation Day, now in its fourth year, drew strong attendance by students from area schools. EBACE also provided an opportunity for EBAA to announce the opening of nominations for the second delegation of students sponsored by the association to participate in the One Young World summit, an initiative that is part of EBAA’s Expanding Horizons campaign.

“EBACE2019 provided a clear look at the future of business aviation, making the show more important than ever,” said Bolen. “We’re eager to come together next year and see the next stage in all these advancements.”

The EBACE static display also featured an expanded layout, introduced at last year’s event, offering easier navigation between the manufacturer displays and multiple aircraft types.

“The EBACE static display is traditionally one of the event’s most popular features, and no other venue in Europe allows attendees to review and compare such a wide variety of business aircraft,” said NBAA Director, Static Displays Joe Hart. “EBACE offers an unparalleled opportunity for aircraft sellers and manufacturers to engage directly with their customers, business aviation professionals and end-users.”

Meanwhile, the #ExpandingHorizons initiative aimed to spread recognition of business aviation as a pioneering, accessible, indispensable and desirable transportation option throughout Europe.