EBACE25: EBACE - different - but a lot to like Emerald Media's Alison Chambers reports from Geneva.

As the curtain fell on EBACE 2025 last Thursday attendees came away pleasantly surprised. The first edition ‘EBACE by EBAA’ - since the show debuted under the wing of NBAA in 2001 - was better than expected, despite absent OEMs, an aircraft static and key primes.

In the place of regulars like AMAC Aerospace, Honeywell, RTX, we saw shiny new exhibitors from the Middle East - like RightJet and Falcon (with its fancy chandeliers) along with names that would typically grace Schedulers and Dispatchers. New features like the Associations’ Village was a welcome addition - a group expected to play an important part in the future, highlighted EBAA Director General Holger Krahmer in his opening remarks last Monday. Perhaps he was musing about a new strategy for the rebranded show. I love the idea of a Eurovision Show Contest / meets Routes - where cities and airports bid each year to host it.

Moving the show around is smart idea considering business aviation has a target on its back. Engaging with different cities, local media, politicians, could be just the new direction it needs. At each new city it lands in the show would garner more supporters, raise awareness about what business aviation does. We already have Climbing. Fast. The NBAA advocacy initiative going global with support from IBAC. During EBACE BBGA announced it was joining the cause. “We are delighted to be taking a room in the virtual house,” said Managing Director Lindsey Oliver. Expect Ireland to follow suit. Joe Buckley, IBGAA Founding Director was very enthusiastic.

EBACE by EBAA was good because of the people although big name operators were missing. The likes of NetJets, FlexJet and Vista though have been absent for years, having moved on to more customer facing events.

Tom Murphy, MD FBO Services, Gama Aviation; C R Sincock II, EVP, Avfuel Corp; Sophie Lesnoff, Area Director Mainland Europe, Signature Aviation with moderator Murdo Morrison, Flight Global..

There weren’t any press conferences other than a short address from EBAA at the end of the typical press day, that was most unusual for many of the media. As a result the show news dailies focused on headline makers instead versus aircraft news.

The show was peppered with excellent panel discussions - playing out on the Innovation and Sustainability stage (supported by Avinode); The FlightGlobal live news stage, moderated brilliantly by Murdo Morrison and The Air Charter Association’s charter discussions.

There were a number of notable highlights. Dawit Lemma, newly appointed Chair of the African Business Aviation Association returned to the show with new vice chair Craig Middleton. They are out to rejuvenate the Association and build back membership to its one-time 150plus level. At least two members confirmed they would return. “We’re focusing on boosting membership growth, encouraging the important General Aviation sector to engage with us, establishing improved corporate governance, and more international activity,” Dawit pledged.

He also participated in a Diversity and Inclusion panel alongside Julie Black at Hunt & Palmer; Doug Carr at NBAA and Rucsandra Mihal at Women in Corporate Aviation. “We’ve come a very long way as an industry, but aviation continues to be male dominated,” highlighted Julie. It’s important the industry reflects our society and the diversity of our customers. Julie, who started her career at marketing at Biggin Hill Airport likened aviation to a wasp jar - once you are in it you don’t want to leave. There’s so much talent but we’re not quite reaching it.” Surely, a key challenge for a new look EBACE which didn’t run any careers’ sessions this year.

Leonardo was the only OEM to display an aircraft, its skid-equipped AW109 Trekker. It announced an order for three more from its UK and Ireland distributor Sloane Helicopters, adding to the five AW109 Grand New machines it ordered in March. The two companies also celebrated a 30-year partnership, extending collaboration for another three years.

Leonardo celebrates 30 years with Sloane Helicopters led by far right Jakopo Berghi, VP Sales Europe Leonardo and George George, Managing Director at Sloane. The company has sold over 100 of the light twin helicopter in its UK and Ireland territory.

Gogo announced a contract with Falcon, part of Alex Group Investment, to be the first charter fleet operator to commit to multiple purchases of its Gogo Galileo HDX connectivity system. Falcon will equip five of its Bombardier Global 5000 and Global Express’ as part of a strategic programme to redefine passengers’ onboard experience.

The European ReFuelEU mandate was a hot topic and over at the TITAN Aviation Fuels booth CEO Daniel Coetzer offered advice on navigating the regulations. “The ReFuelEU mandate aims to help the environment, which is important, but it is not a one-size-fits-all regulation,” he stressed. We aim to help ensure compliance and simplify the SAF uplift process.” Air bp was also encouraging visitors to test their knowledge about SAF and learn about the supply and practicalities from a dedicated account team.

Hunt & Palmer's Bianca Lucas and Angelo Alaniz centre with London Southend Airport's Jack Tarbuck and Nigel Mayes left and right.

In the future flight fraternity the SF1 hybrid-electric SmartFlyer four-seater from Switzerland displayed. Founder Rolf Struber is fund-raising to advance the programme to a scalable design, targeting the small light jet and turboprop sector. Embraer’s Eve, Vaeridion, Electra.aero and Beyond.aero participated in a sustainability panel; chaired by Adam Twidell, but it wasn’t lost on attendees -Volocopter is now in new hands; Lilium, the darling of EBACE 2024 is over and other programmes from both big and small upstarts have stalled. “Next gen remains a big proponent for EBAA Innovation, an important add on to business aviation, it’s part of its DNA,” Holger Krahmer stressed.

Hans Jet of Malta announced it was setting up a membership programme for its Pilatus PC-12 fleet centred out of southern Europe. The difference being there will be no upfront investment. Gama Aviation Group CEO Marwan Khalek speaking in a Live News interview highlighted his 42-year business was enjoying new-found freedom to expand and conquer new markets, without the scrutiny of being a listed company.

"Gama is investing upwards of $200 milion in new projects. The biggest (and the largest project in Gama’s history) is its all-new business aviation centre at Sharjah due to open this autumn. We could have just followed our peers and opened a sixth FBO at Dubai South, but that has never been our style and with all the slot restrictions and the future of business aviation there far from secure, Gama’s positioning is grabbing attention."

UAS International Trip Support Co founder Mohammed Husary, whose company marked its 25th birthday at EBACE, concurred the Middle East is the hottest region right now, especially Saudi Arabia. His homeland Syria is also in the ascent with its new regime, he commented.

Alison Chambers moderates a UAS International Trip Support panel with Keith McKay, Ireland's IBGAA; Lindsey Oliver, BBGA; Antonia Gilbert, Austria's ABAA and Kurt Edwards, IBAC with Omar Hosari, Co founder and CEO UAS, centre.

As for EBACE 2026? Possibly Geneva again - because getting unanimous approval from all the stakeholders takes time. Farnborough is a possibility. Other contenders are Frankfurt and Barcelona. We’ll know on June 30.

In the meantime, traction for AEROFriedrichshafen, which just marked its 31st edition, is escalating. During EBACE week it opened its registration. While not a dedicated bizav show most OEMs showcased jets in April. Its business aviation showcase hub (BASH) was an undisputed success.

EBAA could feasibly collaborate with AERO if it (and moreover its OEM partners) agree a static display doesn’t ‘make’ a show. Holger Krahmer is seemingly open to several scenarios. EBACE definitely has its place as Europe’s dedicated aviation show - it just needs to determine what it wants to be, observers agreed.

BlueSky Business Aviation News | 29th May 2025 | Issue #797

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