After North America, Europe ranks second in the world in terms of size of the business aviation market. Though, at present, the business aviation sector is going through turbulence as a consequence of ‘fragile’ financial stability and low market confidence, the long-term prospects appear to be encouraging. As we head towards European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (EBACE) 2013 in Geneva, the European skies are a mix of dark clouds and patches of blue skies. The dark clouds, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has noted, stems from lower-thanexpected growth or a renewed loss of market confidence. The bright spots are in the form of industry optimism and the determination to tide over the crisis. Not for nothing is Bombardier making projections of 2,240 new business jets between 2012 and 2031 in Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). Honeywell Business Aviation has also forecast that in 2013, flight activity in Europe is expected to go up, being a business hub for over 53,000 ultra high-net-worth individuals, with a collective estimated net worth of $6.95 trillion ( 7,12,25,000 crore).

Business Aviation Ranks Third

In Europe, traditional scheduled services make up the largest proportion followed by low-cost flights and business aviation. Business aviation flight movements rank third among all instrument flight rules (IFR) movements in Europe with a total share of 7.5 per cent. It is reported that about 70 per cent of all business aviation flights are accounted for by France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Spain and Switzerland. Now Russia and CIS region are emerging business aviation markets with Bombardier projecting the region to receive 525 aircraft deliveries between 2012 and 2021. According to Forbes, Russia and CIS had 107 billionaires as of March 2012. Europe thus will continue to be an important market and there is no writing off.

EBACE Banks on Optimism

The optimism was reflected in the previous edition of EBACE which reportedly was ‘one of the strongest EBACE shows yet, demonstrating its value even amidst a challenging European economy’. The organisers noted that there were nearly 13,000 visitors from 99 countries and 491 exhibitors, besides a ten per cent increase in ramp space for static display, making it the largest-ever EBACE static display.

This year, the momentum seems to have slowed down and at the time of writing, 407 exhibitors had registered, down from 491. This has not dampened the organisers—the European Business Aviation Association and the National Business Aviation Association of the US. Despite the numbers, EBACE retains the status of a premier annual meeting place for the European business aviation community. This three-day event, which starts on May 21, 2013, features exhibits, an incredible static display of aircraft, education sessions as also maintenance and operations sessions, all located at the magnificent Palexpo and Geneva International Airport. EBACE is considered the largest educational event in the aviation industry in Europe.

The three-day convention is packed, beginning with industry leaders discussing in-depth financial, cultural, legal and transactional issues that impact buyers and sellers of business aircraft. The seminar will have a global aviation approach with specific focus on the markets in Europe, Russia and the Middle East. Aircraft acquisition consultants, aircraft brokers, aviation legal, tax and financial advisors, as well as prospective aircraft owners, will be participating in the networking seminar.

Safety to the Fore

Continuing on its emphasis on safety this year, EBACE has organised a safety workshop, developed primarily for professionals in the business aviation community in Europe, in an effort to provide critical information and training that is directly related to human performance. Eight out of ten accidents are caused by human failure, not equipment failure. The workshop, according to the organisers, is going to be neither aircraft nor manufacturer specific, but will include information that is applicable to any aircraft flown.

European Single Sky

One session that is likely to attract a lot of operators keen on improving air traffic management (ATM) performance while reducing costs, will be the session on European Single Sky. SESAR is preparing the deployment of new systems in the air and on the ground.

The session on ‘Business Aviation Across the World’ will have representatives from every continent who are expected to give a perspective of the emerging scenario and the challenges for the segment. The speakers include Karan Singh of Business Aviation Operators Association (BAOA) of India; Ali Al Naqbi of Middle East Business Aviation Association (MEBAA); Rui Aquino of Associação Brasileira de Aviação Geral (ABAG); Ed Bolen, President and CEO, NBAA; Dannys Famin of EBAA France; Fabio Gamba, CEO, EBAA; Peter Gatz of IBAC; Jean-Noel Robert of Asian Business Aviation Association (AsBAA); Kazunobu Sato of Japan Business Aviation Association (JBAA); and Anna Serejkina of Russian Business Aviation Association.

Illegal Flights Hurt

One other important session is going to be on ‘Illegal Flights’ as these are probably one of the most complex and important challenges faced by the industry today. They touch not only the safety of operations, but also profitability of the sector. It is said that illegal charter activity accounts for as much as 12 per cent of all flights in Europe and EBAA is keen on reining in such activity.

Pilatus to Unveil PC-24 Twin-Jet

The Swiss airframer Pilatus is going to grab quite a bit of attention when it unveils its long-awaited PC-24 twin-jet. This will be the first ever jet to be manufactured in Switzerland. The airframer will be making an aggressive pitch not just to the new buyers but also for those wanting to go for upgrades on their PC-12 turboprops. The jet is going to be in the light-jet category, priced well within $10 million ( 55 crore).