6 JUNE 2022

Index


© 2022 Business Travel News Ltd.

Article from BTNews 6 JUNE 2022

ON TOUR: EBACE Returns

The highlight of European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition 2022 (EBACE) in Geneva? asks Alison Chambers.

Just being there, most delegates agreed.  

And while there were fewer exhibitors this was balanced by interesting panel presentations and talks complemented by a raft of urban mobility, electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) exhibits and sleek new jets on the static.  The weather too was kind.  “These future aircraft are here, now and you can see them this week at EBACE,” exclaimed European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) Secretary General Athar Husain Khan in his opening remarks.

Highlights included Bombardier’s launch of the previously announced Global 8000, as the fastest, longest-legged Global yet, which when it enters service in 2025 will deliver a Mach 0.94 performance.  It will have a 14,800km range, capable of carrying 19 passengers.  Its new 7,700nm Global 7500 wowed visitors on the static and we were lucky to get onboard the afternoon of the show’s close.   Other stunners included the Gulfstream G700, which set a record flying to Geneva – on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) – from its Savannah, Georgia, HQ in 7hrs 37mins, flying at 0.90 Mach.  

Dassault’s ultra-long range 6X Falcon Jet was another popular debutante.  Tecnam showed its twin turboprop P2012 Traveler, which US commuter airline Cape Air has committed to with a 50-plus order, in an EBACE first. 

The Show has typically showcased a healthy lineup of pre-owned aircraft for sale.  Not so in 2022.   Less than four aircraft were showcased by brokers.

Covid has brought a swell of new users into business aviation – not just into charter, but ownership too.  The number of used jets available for sale accounts for 3.1% of the active fleet, according to US-based Asset Insight.  

The waiting list for new-build aircraft, from a sector buffeted by the affects of a disrupted supply chain, staff shortages and the war in Ukraine, now runs into 2024.   

Dassault CEO Eric Trappier explained its new Falcon 10, had to delay service entry by six months.  Original equipment manufacturer (OEM) delays is beneficial for business aircraft refurbishment and interiors companies like FAI Technik and AMAC Aerospace.  Flying Colours of Canada announced growing interest in 50-seat Canadair Regional Jet conversions to 29-seat bizliners for new roles like corporate shuttles.  This trend is one to watch.

Michael Amalfitano, President and CEO, Embraer Executive Jets, noted 48% of international buyers in 2021 were first time purchasers – not just to Embraer, but the whole industry.  Phenom 300 deliveries to first-time buyers accounted for 47% of the market last year and 26% of all Embraer Executive Jets’ deliveries went to customers who had not owned a business jet before.

There are many newcomers into charter too, and not just ad hoc flying.  They are signing up with fractionals NetJets, FlexJet, Air Partner’s Jet Card programme (now owned by Wheels Up), Vista Global and its widened family of partners, including XOJet and Air Hamburg.  Together these four account for a 25% market share and growing as FlexJet and Wheels Up look to add to their families.  With the majority of EBAA member operators operating five aircraft it is evident this now mature industry is following the airlines, observers noted.

Julie Black, Head of Executive Charter at Hunt and Palmer and Deputy Chair, Air Charter Association, highlighted that this perfect storm for business aviation has flagged an urgent need for ‘many more’ charter aircraft.  It’s becoming hard to support our customers with scarce capacity, especially when faced with AOGs, airport slot issues, she said.  

With some of these consolidated operators we have come to feel at the bottom of the food chain when it comes to supply and capacity.  Some of these Jet Card products on sale have increased in value and come with black-out periods over holidays or peak summer.

GlobeAir CEO Bernhard Fragner agreed that some companies have gone too far with the Jet Card sales and when they can’t deliver, they will ultimately hurt their brand.  He and fellow independent operators SaxonAir and Elit’Avia speaking on a UAS International Trip Support hosted panel believe this high demand won’t last, however.

Has the industry become compartmentalized?  “People have forgotten the value we bring as brokers.  We want to push an aircraft because it is the right aircraft for the mission, has the right crew with appropriate experience in a certain region, the right layout, carpet colour etc.  It irks me if I can only recommend something just on price and availability.  Is the broker in danger of being replaced by software quipped moderator EBAA’s Paul Walsh?”  

“The day I’m replaced by an algorithm I am hanging up my hat”, Black retorted.

Every single flight is an experience, insisted SaxonAir CEO Alex Durand.  The more you commodatise and modulise it you take that away.  

Private charter since Covid has been very leisure focused.  Let’s celebrate that and give new users a memorable experience”, he said.  

Next gen aviation, another strong EBACE theme, is a significant incubator for sustainability technology, now spreading widely across the sector.  “It’s not something of the future – it is here now”, noted EBAA Secretary General Athan Khan in his opening remarks.  

Advanced air mobility (AAM) developers are confident battery technology advances will continue, regulatory hurdles will keep falling and consumer demand will be here for flights that will shuttle people within and between cities.  And it will be as safe as commercial aviation, with reduced costs too, just as they have proven with electric vehicles, said Verity Richardson, Head of Commercial Operations, Vertical Aerospace.   Christian Bauer, Chief Operating Officer, Volocopter, which intends to be flying in Paris for the 2024 Olympics, said certifications required from European regulators are clear.  But for all the talk about future programmes, hydrogen fuel cells, hybrid/electric power biggest challenge is the workforce and encourage the younger generation into aviation.

Kenny Dichter, Founder and Chairman of Wheels Up, speaking at the Embraer-sponsored media lunch, highlighted inclusion, attracting more women and people of colour into aviation, should be a priority, because it’s still a predominately “white, male dominated industry”.

“Our biggest problem is availability of aircraft parts, getting maintenance slots, supply chain issues.  Where once we would have been able to get an MRO [maintenance, repair and operations] fix in four hours – now it can be up to three days. Add to the shortage of pilots, ATC, security and airport staff – it’s a big issue for the industry at large”.

EBACE ran a successful Careers in Business Aviation Day on the show’s last day, introducing students to industry professionals, offering CV writing advice, interviews and a tour of the show floor and static.  Panelists shared how they got into the industry.  Callum Cooper said that he was gifted a flying lesson for his 21st birthday.  He became passionate about aviation, sought out the direct email of his now employer, Hunt & Palmer, and has worked there ever since.

Our hero of the show, Textron (which generously flew us home to Farnborough when easyJet left us stranded on Wednesday evening – see BTN 30 May AND FINALLY: Geneva (near) disaster!) flew its three aircraft over on SAF, including its eco-advanced Cessna Citation XLS Gen 2.  The newest Super Light variant received its received European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certification during the show ahead of delivery to first customer Porsche Air Service of Salzburg (Austria).  

https://ebace.aero

www.emeraldmedia.co.uk

Index/Home page
 

OUR READERS' FINEST WORDS (All times and dates are GMT)

All comments are filtered to exclude any excesses but the Editor does not have to agree with what is being said. 100 words maximum


www.btnews.co.uk