A NOTE FROM THE DIRECTOR GENERAL
Kurt Edwards
Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) played a central role in many of IBAC’s activities in May. In Montreal, we participated in the first ICAO SAF Stocktaking Seminar, in which States and industry shared key initiatives to promote the development and use of this technology that is critical to aviation meeting its long-term goal of halving carbon emissions by 2050 relative to 2005 levels. IBAC was proud to present business aviation’s efforts to inform about and encourage the uptake of SAF. Later in the month, we held one of the industry’s demonstration events at Farnborough Airport, where more than 20 aircraft uploaded some SAF to continue on their way to the EBACE static display.
IBAC had the opportunity to brief Asia Pacific officials on the International Standard for Business Aircraft Handling (IS-BAH) at the Airport Safety Management Seminar in Seoul, Korea. It is a great source of pride to share this programme, which now has 168 registered facilities around the world less than five years after its launch. Moreover, it is always a great moment when we share that business aviation brought the SMS concept to ground handling first (not our commercial scheduled colleagues)!
Last, but not least, it was a real pleasure to participate in this year’s EBACE in Geneva. Thanks to all the members of the IS-BAH Standards Board; operators, handlers, and auditors in the International Standards Programmes (IS-BAH and IS-BAO); and, of course, the officials and members of our Member Associations for contributing to IBAC’s events and supporting the work of IBAC on the industry’s behalf. A particular thank-you to the members of IBAC’s Governing Board, who remained for the Board meeting an additional day after EBACE, for your continued commitment and guidance.
We are looking forward to several coming events this summer, including AsBAA’s Safety Days in Singapore in June and the CBAA’s annual meeting and exhibition in Calgary in July. I hope to see many of you there.
IS-BAH
• The IS-BAH Standards Board 5 met ahead of EBACE. It was a great turnout from all over the globe and some interesting discussions in further enhancing ground handling safety for our sector.
• IS-BAH Registrations continue to grow with presentations made during EBACE to TAG Aviation Macau, VIPPort Vnukovo 3 and JetPort St Petersburg. Locations reaching Stage 1 registration now approaches 170.
• Upcoming workshop for IS-BAH will be coming to London Luton (18/19 June)
IS-BAO
• The EBACE IS-BAO workshop was a successful experience for our team and the participants. The topics of discussion related well to challenges faced by operators and auditors in the EU. Additionally, several operators and auditors were recognized for their dedication and excellence.
• Work is progressing on the IS-BAO assessment guidance for auditors and operators. This document will provide clear guidance and examples for users regarding the intent of standard in support of performance-based validations.
