What we learned at EBACE 2024

EBACE 2024, the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition, recently concluded in Geneva. Europe’s premier aviation event held at Palexpo convention center saw industry leaders, aircraft manufacturers, and aviation enthusiasts converge on the Swiss capital to showcase their products and discuss topics and challenges that the business aviation industry has been facing lately and will have to tackle in the not so distant future. The overarching themes of innovation, sustainability, and safety were discussed by multiple panels over the course of the exhibition.

Sustainability at the forefront

With the conclusion of the European elections, EU policymakers will now continue focusing on their ongoing efforts to tackle the climate crisis and enforce the Green Deal. This means also concentrating on ways to cut down emissions and reach Net Zero. The aviation industry has not been sitting idle and focused its efforts on developing new technologies, including more efficient engines as well as focusing on the use of sustainable aviation fuel.

The panel discussions also reflected the need to tackle these challenges with industry experts and aircraft CEOs debating these issues during the Global Mission to Net Zero and Low-Emission Bizjets of the future panels.

Debating the future of aviation

Beyond the focus on the challenges of reaching net zero, the exhibition halls echoed with the discussions on the future of aviation and the innovations we can expect to see in the new generation of aircraft. In the Future of Flight panel panelists discussed how to find balance between technology and human touch especially focusing on pilot training and cockpit design and ergonomics.

However, the future of aviation didn’t just focus on the technological aspects of aircraft innovation. It also took into consideration how the evolution of aviation would affect aircraft sales. Jetron’s CEO, Marian Jancarik, was one of the panelists discussing the critical issues facing the aircraft sales industry and the need for aircraft sales professionals to evolve. The key points of the discussion revolved around shifting market dynamics, regulatory and persisting supply chain issues, as well as technological advancements. The panelists also shed light on how sales professionals will need to adapt to customer expectations and fluctuating market demands. Shaping their strategies and leveraging available technology were among some of the suggestions.

Manufacturers Unveiling Future aircrafts

Of course, it wouldn’t be an aviation exhibition without manufacturers showcasing their next generation of aircrafts. There were more than 50 aircrafts on display in the Swiss capital for visitors to experience. VoltAero exhibited its Cassio 330 hybrid-electric aircraft that it would like to launch at the end of the year.

Continuing on the theme of electric-powered aircraft, Lillium unveiled a full-scale model of its all-electric vertical take-off and landing Lillium Jet at EBACE. TheGerman startup also showcased its charging infrastructure and provided interested visitors with a fully immersive flight simulator experience.

Beyond the startups showcasing their products aiming to disrupt the industry, there were also more traditional manufacturers exhibiting their products. Leonardo unveiled its Agusta Vip-Corporate layout options for the AW09 helicopter, and Dassault Aviation showcased its Falcon 6X private jet that took to the skies last year.

Overall, over the three-day event, visitors had the opportunity to attend over 15 educational events, experience over 50 aircrafts on display, and engage with over 300 exhibitors from the various corners of the aviation industry.

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