BACK IN BUSINESS EBACE 2023 – GENEVA
EBACE 2023, the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition, brought together the business aviation industry in Geneva for its second post-Covid event. This year marked the 21st edition of the event since its establishment by the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) and the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) in 2001.
The exhibition showcased over 50 aircraft, ranging from large intercontinental business jets to smaller turbine-powered and piston aircraft, including notable additions like the Gulfstream G800, Airbus ACJ TwoTwenty, and ACH160 helicopter.
Inside the Palexpo exhibit hall, around 400 exhibitors from leading business aviation brands showcased their products, with a heightened focus on sustainability. The event attracted 12,000 delegates from around the world.
EBACE 2023 paid tribute to Athar Husain Khan, the Secretary-General of EBAA, who passed away this year. His dedication to business aviation and belief in fostering human connections served as the underlying inspiration for the entire show.
Sustainability took center stage as the theme for EBACE 2023. The first two days featured sessions on increasing the supply of sustainable aviation fuel, carbon offsetting, and enhancing communication to showcase the industry’s achievements to the wider public.
Business aviation leaders reiterated their commitment to environmental responsibility and efforts to reduce carbon emissions. Discussions also delved into advanced air mobility and the latest advancements in aircraft propulsion, focusing on electric, hydrogen, and hybrid technologies that are set to shape the future of flight.
This is an industry that has cut its carbon emissions by 40% over the past 40 years, is continually reducing emissions today and is collectively focused on achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
The event kicked off on May 23rd with speeches by notable figures such as Juergen Wiese (EBAA’s chairman), Ed Bolen (NBAA’s President and CEO), Raphaël Domjan (Swiss explorer and SolarStratos founder), Toto Wolff (Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team’s principal and CEO), Susie Wolff (former racing driver and F1 executive), and Giovanni Russo (COO of Aéroport de Genève).
EBACE also provided valuable educational opportunities, including a Career Day where students from high schools, technical schools, and universities learned about the business aviation industry and its prospects.
Mack Rutherford, a Belgian-British pilot who set the world record for the youngest solo flight around the world at age 17, shared his experiences and advice with the students, who also had the chance to explore the exhibition floor and aircraft displays.
Various companies made significant announcements and showcased their innovations at EBACE 2023.
Textron Aviation introduced the Cessna Citation Ascend, the latest addition to the legendary 560XL series, featuring an enhanced cockpit, improved performance, and a luxurious cabin. With Textron Aviation’s unveiling of its new Cessna Citation Ascend at EBACE2023, the OEM’s Lannie O’Bannion and Christi Tannahill reveal how customers played a large role in the aircraft’s design.
Airbus Corporate Jets unveiled the ACJ TwoTwenty, offering outstanding amenities and a fuel-efficient design.
Lilium, a developer of all-electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) jets, announced agreements with Air-Dynamic SA and ASL Group for the delivery of their Pioneer Edition Jets.
Gulfstream presented its ultralong-range G800, highlighting its advanced features, fuel efficiency, and luxurious cabin.
“By flying the G800 test aircraft to EBACE 2023 this year, we are demonstrating the maturity of this program,” said Mark Burns, president, Gulfstream. “The G800 presents a compelling combination of high-speed aerodynamics and fuel-efficient engines to decrease emissions and save flying time for our customers. Equipped with our latest advancements in technology and innovation, the G800 adds the industry’s longest range to our aircraft portfolio. We are pleased to display a Gulfstream for every mission in Geneva.”
Throughout the event, discussions on aviation sustainability, advanced air mobility, and cutting-edge aircraft technologies were held. Notable sessions featured experts like Patrick Ky (Executive Director of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency) and Michael Huerta (former Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration) engaging with advanced air mobility developers.
The discussions revolved around the certification and anticipated commercial flights of advanced air mobility aircraft by 2024, signaling the imminent arrival of this new mode of air transport.
EBACE 2023 concluded successfully, and it is set to return to Palexpo and Geneva Airport from May 28-30, 2024, for its next edition.
An article writen by: Rucsandra Mihai
