The annual
EBACE show at the Palexpo Exhibition Centre in Geneva, Switzerland, opens on Mo
nday (instead of the tradio
nal Tuesday opening day), providing three days for visitors to network and see the latest aircraft hardware, upgrade offerings and more. The event, jointly managed by the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) and NBAA, is this year expected to include some 500 exhibiting companies.
Some of the key issues that will be discussed in sessions at EBACE were touched on by newly appointed EBAA CEO Brandon Mitchener at a pre-show briefing in Brussels on May 4—security, enviro
nmental best practices and the need for business aviation-specific education and career development opportunities. Additionally, he said EBAA is working on access to airports and is also encouraging wider adoption of satellite-ba
sed precision approaches.
EBAA president Brian Humphries said that this year’s show would have “a
bout the same floor space” as last year. The aircraft static display—relocated this year due to airport construction—is already “pretty much sold out, with 58 aircraft currently booked, not including four in the exhibition hall. We expect attendees to [number] around 13,000. In 2001 we started with 3,600, and half of Hall 7.”