A Word From the Director General
Kurt Edwards
Change is in the air. In North America, we see new governments coming in, settling in, or planning on elections. In Europe, we see developing an increased emphasis on policies to enhance competitiveness. Around the world, there is growth in air transport activity, and, with the political change happening around us, we all wonder how these changes and opportunities for growth will influence one or the other.
I look forward to discussing these matters at a range of events in February and March. Corporate Jet Investor in London will serve as a thermometer on the industry’s health, outlook, and priorities. IBAC is preparing for the 42nd Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) later this year, and it will be interesting to check in with the industry on matters related to cyber security, sustainability, and, as always, safety.
We will engage with operators and the broader community at the NBAA International Operators Conference in San Juan in February. IBAC will also participate in the 18th Meeting of the Civil Aviation Authorities of the South American Region in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Representatives of ABAG (Associação Brasileira do Aviação Geral) will join for the three-day meeting that will provide advanced understanding of matters important to the region at the ICAO Assembly later this year.
March will bring a new event focused on business aviation in Asia, the Business Aviation Asia Forum and Exhibition (BAAFEx) in Singapore. IBAC will participate to support the industry, and particularly the Asian Business Aviation Association. We look forward to this initial event seeking to bring together the global industry in Southeast Asia.
ICAO and Sustainability
Capt. Claude Hurley, Director, Environment & Flight Operations
- January saw renewed activity at ICAO after the holiday break, with both the Air Navigation Commission (ANC) and the Council’s Committees back in session.
- The ANC will propose several SARP amendments for the Council’s adoption later this session. As well, both governing bodies are prioritizing preparing for this fall’s upcoming Assembly, with particular attention made on how to set the stage for fulsome discussions on ICAO’s current strategic objectives, and their recently published 2026-2050 Strategic Plan.
Industry Partner Programme
Leo Knaapen, Head, Industry Partner Programme
- Following a somewhat sluggish start to 2025, we’ve been at FL 42 since mid-January to aggressively develop the Industry Partner Programme on two fronts.
- Although we now stand at 19 IPP members our newest member prefers to remain anonymous; that is, until an official announcement at the previously mentioned inaugural BAAEFx scheduled to occur 6-8 March 2025 at the Changi Exhibition Centre in Singapore.
- In addition to BAAEFx, several other productive industry gatherings are on the horizon connecting IBAC with Industry Partners beginning this week with the immensely popular CJI London Conference; in March the annual meeting of the British Business and General Aviation Association; and the freshly re-minted European Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (EBACE 2025) in May.
- Concurrently with ongoing efforts to expand our IPP global family, I am delighted to underline that our Industry Advisory Forum (IAF) also continues to develop nicely. We had a total of 32 attendees at the IAF/02 last October who identified our top common issues.
- IAF/03 is scheduled for Thursday, 22 May at Palexpo in Geneva (by invitation only) where we shall nominate the Vice-Chair and formalize plans to address the top issues agreed upon in October.
IS-BAO
Andrew Karas, IS-BAO Programme Director
- Stephane De Wolf, IS-BAO Safety and Regulatory Affairs Manager attended EASA’s Business Jet Workshop 21-22 January in Cologne, Germany. This workshop presented an opportunity to connect with Aviation Authorities and stakeholders in the BizAv sector. The workshop covered current and future challenges and activities. Thank you, EASA, and EBAA for putting together an outstanding event.
- The IS-BAO Initial and Recurrent workshop schedule has been posted through June 2025. The IS-BAO Initial Workshop includes 1-year access to the online IS-BAO Protocol Standardization Course (IPS). The IPS is a self-paced, step-by-step review of each IS-BAO section. Sign up HERE for the IS-BAO Initial or Recurrent Course.
- The Business Aviation Security Course will be offered again in Spring 2025 featuring security expert, Eric Schouten, founder of Dyami Security Intelligence. Earlier this month we hosted another course where attendees learned about aircraft and passenger security, threats from emerging conflict zones, climate activism, and information security. Additionally, participants will gain a deeper understanding of effective risk-management strategies, integrating security practices into their organizational framework, and mitigating these potential threats. Continue to check our calendar for future training dates: Workshops and Training
IS-BAH
Terry Yeomans, Programme Director
- The first workshop of the year was well attended with exceptional discussions from the group.
- February workshops scheduled for the week of the 17 February, register HERE.
- Steven Abreu-Hill, IS-BAH Audit Manager will be attending the NBAA IOC Feb 10-13 and will also be at the IBAC exhibit booth B1118 at the NBAA Regional in Orlando on 26 February.
- Terry Yeomans will be in Washington D.C. this week for the NBAA safety committee strategic planning meeting.
- In addition, there are virtual EASA Ground Handling meetings this week that Terry will participate in.
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