Announced by Avports, the managing operator of Westchester for the county, the paid college internship is being run in partnership with Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology and Westchester County. It is aimed at giving students real-world experience in airport administration, operations and airline services while interacting with Fortune 500 aviation departments, commercial airlines, fixed based operators and private pilots.

“Announcing this internship at the most respected and well-attended forum of this type in the nation is important to Westchester County and to Avports,” said Francisco Tejada, Westchester’s airport manager. “The partnership with Vaughn will prove to be a vast pipeline of emerging talent for airports like Westchester and others throughout the region and nation as we hope to draw young aviation professionals with fresh perspectives as they begin their careers.”

The announcement followed an address by NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen before a crowd of about 3,000. Locally, on any given day, the airport is the workplace for some 1,400 employees, and Avports is currently looking to fill 60 positions. Across the US The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that in 2024, there are nearly 17,000 job openings for airline and commercial pilots.

Dr. Sharon B. DeVivo, president of Vaughn College, said: “We are excited to see our long-term relationship with Avports and Westchester County Airport continue to grow with this Vaughn dedicated internship programme. Our alumni work in airports across the metropolitan region, including Westchester Airport, and beyond and that success comes with close industry partners like Avports that understand the importance of developing a talent pipeline.”

Avports’ CEO Jorge Roberts added: “There are so many opportunities that exist in aviation, and if you are willing to work, learn, and have a positive attitude, you will succeed. Personally, I have grown to the level where I am because others saw my potential, and that has driven me to give back so others can achieve similar career success. It’s also why, as a member of the Vaughn College President’s Advisory Committee, I’m so proud to see this internship partnership take off.”

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The event, held from May 28th to 30th, is co-hosted by the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) and the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA).

Jet Aviation will deliver a 35% blend of SAF to GVA for the event, marking the company’s third year providing SAF for EBACE.

“We are delighted to bring SAF to EBACE again this year,” said Joao Martins, vice president of FBO operations in Europe and GM Zurich, Jet Aviation. Jet Aviation will also make SAF available through its book and claim program.

In addition to ensuring availability of SAF, the event offers a variety of sustainability-focused experiences including a dedicated summit to help the industry towards net-zero, cutting-edge alternative propulsion technologies, future of urban transportation,  and the Innovation Pavilion to unveil next-generation sustainable aircraft and new industry sustainability standards.

“Business aviation is increasing efficiency and reducing carbon emissions on the ground and in the air. SAF remains a cornerstone of our plan for achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. We thank Jet Aviation for stepping forward to make SAF and its benefits available to those joining us at what will be an exciting EBACE,” said Ed Bolen, President and CEO, NBAA.

Meanwhile, EBAA Secretary General Holger Krahmer said: “We need to continue to increase the availability, production and use of SAF, and we applaud Jet Aviation for playing such an important role in expanding sustainable fuel supplies around the world.”

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Scott’s advice was fresh in my mind, as I listened to Ed Bolen, president and CEO, NBAA explain the growing menace facing aviation. “Business aviation is under full-scale attack,” he told the conference’s 230 delegates. “There is an effort to disparage our industry, which is not consistent with data and our strategy and we see it in a lot of ways. Nor is the problem confined to Europe, it also occurs in the US.”

Evidence is not hard to find. Top of mind were three new US policy initiatives that could significantly damage business aviation. The unholy trinity includes: the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) plans to step up its audits of business jets owners, a plan for longer depreciation periods on aircraft purchases and a planned five-fold increase in fuel tax over five years.

“On February 21st, the IRS said it would do a lot more audits of people who own an airplane,” said Bolen. “The IRS is saying we think there is a lot of non-compliance on personal use.”

Fuel tax and depreciation are also being targeted. “There is a proposed five times increase in [fuel] tax with no real justification. Plus, there is also a proposal for longer depreciation schedules at a time when most policy-makers think shorter depreciation is good for jobs and good our economy,” he added.

Such legislative attacks are not restricted to the US. Earlier this week, Brazilian Congress moved to approve new tax legislation, which could penalise business aviation, according to Felipe Bonsenso, partner with the country’s law firm Bonsenso Advogados.

If enacted, the ‘Imposto Seletivo’ or Selective Tax would apply to aircraft that are considered harmful to the environment and health. The rate of tax increase is apparently still under discussion.

An attack of a more visceral kind took place this week when protestors stormed onto Hanscom Field Airport, near Boston, Massachusetts. Extinction Rebellion protesters climbed a perimeter fence to disrupt airfield operations forcing the temporary closure of the airport. The raid was staged in protest to Massachusetts Port Authority’s plan to build more hangars for business jets on the airport.

The latest protest follows similar action by the group and others targeting private aviation at other airports in North America and Europe – including, notoriously, at last year’s EBACE event at Geneva Airport.

So, what to do when under attack? The NBAA’s strategy is the opposite of the one recommended by my Tucson taxi driver. Instead of backing quietly away from the threat, the NBAA’s policy is to counter it with reasoned argument, backed by hard data seasoned with practical examples of how business aviation is benefiting lives and businesses worldwide.

Business aviation has a wealth of data to back its case and the global industry should find a unified voice to put that case to policy-makers, protestors and the public worldwide, according to the NBAA. Bolen put it like this: “The facts, the truth and the reality are on our side. We really are an important engine for the economy, a vital link in the transportation system, developing remote economies and businesses to grow by staying in contact with the global economy.”

Combating the many threats facing global business aviation demanded a truly co-ordinated industry response. The association aimed to focus that response with its Climbing.Fast campaign launched at the NBAA-BACE in Las Vegas last October. In addition to promoting the industry’s business and community benefits, the campaign aims to highlight the sector’s mission to achieve net zero carbon emissions, including the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and its leadership on sustainability targets.

The campaign, and the industry it seeks to defend, faces tough battles to win over business aviation’s increasingly vocal critics: That’s even with the campaign’s army of acronym-based ambassadors including NAFA; the reason for my visit to the Tucson Mountains.

*Meanwhile, please do not rely solely on my taxi driver’s advice if you encounter a western diamondback rattlesnake or any other type of venomous reptile this weekend. Always seek professional guidance. (Scott’s contact details can be provided on request).

Note of complaint: NBAA argues against IRS plans to step up audits of business jets owners and plans for longer depreciation periods and higher fuel tax.

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Not silver but sustainable business aviation dominated the two-day event at the resort amid the tall saguaro cacti. Prickly topics under discussion included the health of the US economy, particularly the impact of high interest rates, the disillusion of some first-time buyers and business aviation under attack.

But there was more gain than pain when it came to the upbeat assessment of the US economy from Gus Faucher, chief economist, PNC Financial Services Group. Without minimising the impact of high interest rates, which could (but not necessarily will) pitch the US economy into recession, Faucher highlighted positive factors likely to lead to steady growth this year and into 2025.

“The US economy is in very good shape right now,” he said. “The economy is 8% larger than it was before the pandemic. Some 22m jobs were lost due to the pandemic but those have been regained and another 8-9m jobs added to where we were before the pandemic.” Strong labour markets underpin consumer spending power, which was driving broad-based economic growth across the US, he added.

Returning rates to 2%

But there are reasons for pessimism. The “inverted yield curve” – meaning short-term interest rates were higher than long-term interest rates – was often associated with recessions. Faucher estimated the likelihood of a US recession at about 35%. However, he felt confident that the Federal Reserve would be successful in returning rates to its goal of 2% from their current level of just over 5%.

“There is likely to be slower growth this year but still growth,” he summarised. “Spending will continue to support growth in 2024, with the Fed cutting rates later this year for technical reasons [partly to cool wage growth] starting in July and in 2025. That will support growth this year and into 2025.”

Interest rates are affecting the decision to buy aircraft but not in the obvious way of affecting decision-making, said Shawn Dinning, senior partner, Dallas Jet International. “I don’t see a situation where a prospective buyer or borrower is looking at rates and saying, ‘I can’t afford this deal’. We are not seeing a delay in decisions to buy. About 70% of our business lately has been cash.”

But interest rates are affecting the core business of his clients – principals and corporations. “We do a lot of multi-family-type real estate companies and two years ago they were printing money, now they went from a nice positive cash flow position to bleeding hundreds of thousands if not millions of dollars because of interest rates,” said Dinning. In some cases, owners need the liquidity on the airplane. “They have to prioritise, so the airplane gets the axe,” he added.

On a more positive note, he said: “Demand continues to surprise me in a good way and it’s keeping up with this increase in inventory in a pretty good way.”

‘More transactions in Q1’

Wayne Starling, executive director of International Aircraft Dealers Association (IADA) agreed. “There were more transactions in the first quarter of this year than there were in the first quarter of last year,” he said, based on his association’s latest report.

But Johnny Foster, president and CEO, OGARAJETS reported growing frustration and disappointment among first-time buyers. Before the pandemic, almost every year consistently, first-time buyers accounted for about 5% of the purchases of aircraft. But that figure rose to 38% of buyers between 2020 and 2022, he said.

They came into the market, often buying legacy aircraft with the promise of bonus depreciation and excessive demand for charter. “Now we are hearing and seeing these first-time buyers are disenfranchised with the model because their aircraft is not flying 600 or 1,000 hours a year [through charter]. It’s flying 100 hours a year,” he said. “And their pilots’ salaries have tripled over the past three years, and they are now being told they have to have three pilots instead of two pilots.”

These frustrations were compounded by their first main maintenance event, which “has caught many by surprise”. The legacy aircraft that cost only $2m or $3m to buy could be facing inspection costs of half a million dollars, said Foster.

‘Full-scale attack’

From disappointment to hostility. Business aviation is under “full-scale attack” and not just in Europe, warned Ed Bolen, president and CEO, National Business Aviation Association. “There is an effort to find ways to disparage our industry which is not consistent with data and our strategy. We see it in a lot of ways,” he said. Examples include the February 21st announcement by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that it intended to step up its aircraft owner audits.

Other examples cited were the five-fold increase in fuel tax over five years and the plan for longer depreciation periods. Combating these and other threats would rely on a coordinated industry response and lobbying policy-maker, he said. Not least via the NBAA’s Climbing.Fast campaign.

Speaking to CJI after his presentation, Bolen set out his goals for the end of the decade. “By 2030, we will be ready to answer the SAF Challenge of 3bn gallons produced in the US,” he said. “We would like to see operators continue to look for ways to operate even more sustainably.” That means looking at good quality offset programmes and book-and-claim options. “And we are working hard to introduce advanced air mobility and hybrid solutions and the effectiveness of our air traffic integration.”

Despite challenges facing business aviation – not least high interest rates, supply chain difficulties and the shortage of pilots, airframe and powerplant technicians – the industry can look forward to a bright future as wealth generation and transfer continue to fuel demand, according to speakers.

Stephen Friedrich, chief commercial officer, Embraer summed up the reasons for optimism: “Over the next 20 years, we are going to see a $73trn wealth transfer from Boomers to Generation X and Millennials – and that is only just beginning. This is in addition to [aircraft] purchases by corporate flight departments and private individuals.”

Back in the 19th century the silver boom soon turned to bust, with fire consuming the mining town of Quijotoa in 1889. Attendees at the NAFA conference heard strong reasons to believe in a much more sustainable (and profitable) future for business aviation.

Prickly saguero cacti surrounded the conference venue. Inside, delegates discussed thorny topics such as the impact of high interest rates.

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This was demonstrated 100 years after Clemens died when an employee of a museum dedicated to him was found guilty of fraud. She was forced to repay taxes on the money she had stolen.

This week the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced plans to start audits on dozens (its figure) of business aircraft involving personal use. It says these will be focused on aircraft used by large corporations, large partnerships and high-income taxpayers.

The agency is focusing on business deductions for aircraft expenses. These are allowed if an aircraft is used for business purposes. However, if the aircraft is also used for non-work reasons it can affect the company’s right to deduct some costs. The IRS says that record-keeping can be challenging.

“Personal use of corporate jets and other aircraft by executives and others have tax implications, and it’s a complex area where IRS work has been stretched thin,” said Danny Werfel, IRS commissioner, in a press release focused on corporate jets. “With expanded resources, IRS work in this area will take off. These aircraft audits will help ensure high-income groups aren’t flying under the radar with their tax responsibilities.”

It is not just the IRS. The Federal Aviation Association is also strongly opposed to business jets flying under radar.

The IRS says it can invest more resources into investigations thanks to funds from the Inflation Reduction Act. It says it could hire extra tax inspectors to focus on aircraft if it finds companies have been over-claiming.

“We are adding staff and technology to ensure that the taxpayers with the highest income, including partnerships, large corporations and millionaires and billionaires, pay what is legally owed under federal law,” said Werfel.

While no one suggests that business jet owners should avoid paying the correct amount of tax they owe, the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) and others have questioned the tone of this campaign.

“Today’s announcement by the IRS amounts to nothing more than an audit in search of a problem”

“Today’s announcement by the IRS amounts to nothing more than an audit in search of a problem, and an attempt to broadly paint with a negative brush the thousands of US companies of all sizes that rely on business aircraft to effectively compete in a global marketplace,” said Ed Bolen, president and CEO, NBAA. “It is difficult to understand why the agency is suggesting that these companies – some of the most respected, well-managed businesses in the world – are not in compliance with applicable tax laws.”

The NBAA points out that directors at publicly traded companies routinely approve how staff use aircraft. Some businesses also require key employees to fly on business aircraft for safety and security reasons.

“One cannot say with any certainty that flygskam [flight shame] and heightened IRS scrutiny of corporate jet usage are directly connected – Aerlex has represented clients in IRS audits of their business jet ownership that occurred long before Greta Thunberg came on the scene – but I cannot help but feel that the IRS is responding, in part, to all the attention that has been given to high-profile private jet owners in recent years,” says Stephen Hofer, president, Aerlex Law Group.

As anyone who has walked through the cloud of mint watermelon fumes left by a vaper knows, there can be smoke without fire.

As anyone who has walked through the cloud of mint watermelon fumes left by a vaper knows, there can be smoke without fire.In 2017 reporting following the so-called Paradise Papers leaks was very critical about aircraft imported into the Isle of Man (it also looked at other offshore transactions in less humid islands like Antigua, Barbados and others).

The Isle of Man Government proactively invited the UK Treasury to review the processes used by its Customs and Excise regarding VAT treatment of aircraft and yachts. Two years later, the UK Treasury said it had found no specific cases of wrongdoing but did make some recommendations about monitoring deals which have been accepted and incorporated.

“Business aircraft owners should consider auditing their previous deductions for compliance with the applicable tax laws, analysing the after-tax value of deductions against the potentially high cost and invasiveness of an IRS audit, and seeking advice from professionals involved specifically in business aviation taxes to avoid errors in deducting expenses for personal use of, and aircraft depreciation deductions pertaining to, their aircraft,” says David Mayer, partner, Shackelford, Bowen, McKinley & Norton.

“Put your IRS auditor’s hat on before the IRS auditor arrives at your door.”

Aerlex’s Hofer agrees. “Business jet owners would be well advised to take this as both an advance warning and a wake-up call. Now would be a very good time to re-examine your business jet ownership and usage, both at the corporate accounting and flight department levels. Consider taking a careful look at your record-keeping and accounting for your airplane, both retrospectively and prospectively,” he says. “Put your IRS auditor’s hat on before the IRS auditor arrives at your door. Do an internal audit of the deductions you’ve taken and are taking, the expenses you are booking, and make certain you are comfortable that what you’ve recorded would pass muster if the folks from the IRS actually do show up.”

There is a definite advantage in getting ready before the IRS knock on your hangar. To update another of Clemens’ famous tax sayings: There is never a convenient time for tax audits, colonoscopies or root canals.

*He changed his name to Mark Twain for tax reasons.

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If you walk through one of the many unmarked doors and go down a floor, you find a network of kitchens, storerooms, the staff canteen, loading bays and shortcuts. It typically takes staff a week to learn their way around the basement.

It is the same in business aviation. When things go well, customers do not see the grind that goes into making a flight happen or buying a jet. Unfortunately, they are increasingly seeing these problems. Particularly when aircraft are grounded or in pre-purchase inspections. Some 75% of the nearly 500 delegates believe supply chains are better than in 2022.

“For the first time in modern history, it’s all about the supply chain determining how many aircraft can be built. It is not just affecting production, it is affecting MRO and maintenance as well,” said Kevin Michaels, MD, AeroDynamic Advisory, on the supply chain panel.

Nick McBoyle, procurement director at Bombardier explained how the OEM has embedded about 60 interventions specialists into suppliers to help them manage their supply chains.

“There is a whack-a-mole effect where problems suddenly emerge,” said McBoyle. “We’re then into a cycle of operational gymnastics to make sure that we can continue the aircraft build as close to the schedule as possible and obviously get them out the door.”

Despite these efforts, 37% of delegates do not expect supply chains to return to pre-pandemic normality until 2025. (32% believe it will be 2026).

Predicting demand is much harder. Research firm Vertical Partners says that business jet OEMs had an average book to bill of 1.4x in the third quarter. It says that manufacturers had a 1.2x average for 2023. But delegates are worried that high interest rates and political turmoil could make 2024 a difficult year.

Some 69% of attendees were very optimistic about the next 12 months (with 19% fairly optimistic). But not everyone was that bullish. “Is it me or does this feel a lot like the spring of 2008?” said one delegate.

The general consensus from people at the event is that they expect fewer transactions in 2024 (although the first quarter may benefit from delayed fourth quarter deals) and demand for charter to soften.

Andrew Collins, co-CEO, Flexjet said that demand had clearly fallen from 2020: “Demand for jet cards was so strong I could have sold them by knocking on my neighbour’s door.” But he added that Sentient Jet and Flexjet are on track for great years in 2023.

Most believe that many of the richest customers that discovered business aviation will continue using it. “There is a reason why hearses don’t have luggage racks,” said Peder von Harten, president, Nicholas Air.

Every speaker agreed that predicting the market is harder than ever.

Michael Amalfitano, president and CEO of Embraer Executive Jets opened the conference by highlighting how business aviation is leading aviation decarbonisation. He stressed how business aviation is a test-bed for innovation.

Ed Bolen, president and CEO, NBAA also used this argument in his keynote. “Every new business aircraft model being delivered today is 30% more efficient than the aircraft it is replacing,” said Bolen, outlining the new Climbing. Fast. campaign. “Business aviation is an incubator for new technologies.”

Some customers like to see the workings of the industry. Apparently Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr (who filmed the original Oceans 11 film at the Fontainebleau) used the underground passages to slip around the hotel without being spotted.

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This is an industry-wide campaign launched at NBAA-BACE in Las Vegas to promote business aviation’s mission to achieve net zero carbon emissions, its leadership on sustainability targets and wider contributions to society.

Think of it as a re-imagined No Plane No Gain initiative – but with many more founding members and a broader remit. The old campaign by NBAA and General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) sought to explain business aviation’s contribution to the economy and society. Now Climbing. Fast. delivers a new-century perspective on the old, old question: how can we help people better understand the sector’s full contribution.

Launching the campaign at the show, Ed Bolen, president and CEO, NBAA put the proposition neatly: “No Plane No Gain, has been around for a very long time. It is the foundation on which Climbing. Fast. will build,” he said. “It’s not just about the industry’s commitment to net zero contributions but it’s about who we are.”

Business aviation has long provided economic and employment opportunities, helped business of all sizes, connected communities, especially during and after Covid, and provided humanitarian aid in addition to setting and delivering measurable sustainability targets, said Bolen. “Our new, branded Climbing. Fast. initiative will take this message to policy-makers, opinion leaders and other key audiences, informing perceptions about the industry’s sustainability record and value.”

Pete Bunce, president and CEO, GAMA linked business aviation’s contribution to the economy with its role as a technology incubator for the wider aviation industry and its achievement in leading safety and sustainability standards.

“Our industry supports over 1.2 million total jobs and over $247bn in total economic output in the United States,” said Bunce. “When you look at our industry, Climbing. Fast. truly describes the work we have been doing to foster aviation’s sustainability and technology, advance safety, strengthen economic growth and provide valuable services to communities.”

For private aviation incubator, think fuel-saving winglets, global positioning systems, advanced composite materials. On sustainability, think the efficiency of modern engines, which deliver 30% improved fuel efficiency compared with previous generations of business aircraft. Think the white heat of new aircraft technology – electric aircraft, hybrid-electric and, eventually, hydrogen-powered aircraft. Then there’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), which although growing from a tiny base, can cut carbon emissions by up to 100%.

But does the public care? Ill-formed criticism of business aviation has often travelled halfway around the world before the truth has got its boots on (to quote that master wordsmith Sir Winston Churchill).

The Climbing. Fast. organisers have an answer. It urges the industry and particularly its supporters to, as Bolen said, “engage” with schools, policy-makers, opinion-formers and the public to put those message across. The campaign should have an army of ambassadors including Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), Helicopter Association International (HAI), International Aircraft Dealers Association (IADA), International Business Aviation Council (IBAC), National Air Transportation Association (NATA) and National Aircraft Finance Association (NAFA).

 This army of acronyms has numerous weapons of choice to win the battle for hearts and minds: digital advertising, multi-platform social media presence and a targeted media relations programme.

Brian Foley, founder of Brian Foley Associates (BRiFO) understands the pressure for action but has a doubt. “Our industry associations’ charter is to look after the interests of their constituents,” he told Corporate Jet Investor. “Lately the hot button topic has been bizav sustainability, which although only accounting for 0.04% of annual greenhouse emissions, gets outsized attention from activists due to getting them more press coverage than say, spray painting a bus.” Activists know that targeting business aviation won’t result in the same large public backlash such as blocking a motorway or freeway.

Faced with growing criticism, Climbing. Fast. provides a modern answer. “Our industry lobbyists have developed a campaign to provide an alibi to future criticism,” says Foley. 

And now for the doubt. “While I’m not sure who’ll still be around to check on the progress in 2050, we’ll at least have these talking points to hold us over until then,” he adds. 

Meanwhile, let’s hope that powerful advocates within the acronym army can accomplish what business aviation has often struggled to get: recognition from government and civil society for its many achievements. Engagement is the word. Here’s to being around in 2050 to judge the progress made.

Pictured are private jets on parade at the NBAA-BACE 2023 static display at Henderson Executive Airport.

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The new campaign will build on the success of the No Plane, No Gain initiative, Ed Bolen, president and CEO, NBAA told a media breakfast meeting today. “No Plane No Gain, has been around for a very long time. It is the foundation on which Climbing. Fast will build,” he said. “It’s not just about the industry’s commitment to net zero contributions but it’s about who we are.”

Business aviation has long provided economic and employment opportunities, helped business of all sizes, connected communities and provided humanitarian aid in addition to setting and delivering on measurable sustainability targets, said Bolen. “Our new, branded Climbing. Fast. initiative will take this message to policymakers, opinion leaders and other key audiences, informing perceptions about the industry’s sustainability record and value,” he added.

Featuring a new website,  ClimbingFast.com, the campaign is backed by NBAA, General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) and others.

Pete Bunce, president and CEO GAMA said business aviation is the technology incubator for the aviation industry and leads the way in promoting safety and sustainability. “Our industry supports over 1.2 million total jobs and over $247 billion in total economic output in the United States. When you look at our industry, Climbing. Fast. truly describes the work we have been doing to foster aviation’s sustainability and technology, advance safety, strengthen economic growth and provide valuable services to communities,” he said. Pictured: the new campaign aims to empower everyone in business aviation to promote the sector’s contribution to sustainability, economic development and wider societal benefits.

What others said about Climbing. Fast. – at a glance

Mark Baker, president and CEO AOPA

“What business aviation contributes to society is immeasurable and its commitment to sustainability unmatched. The Climbing. Fast. initiative will help showcase the industry’s resolve toward positive change through sustainable programmes and AOPA is pleased to support this admirable campaign.”

Jack J Pelton, CEO and chairman of the Board with the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA)

“As new technologies are developed, it opens more possibilities to incorporate sustainable energy innovations to maintain and expand the worldwide benefits of aviation. EAA members have always been at the forefront of imagination and innovation for flight, so we’re excited for programmes such as Climbing. Fast. and others to bring opportunities for aviation’s future that were not even imagined just a short time ago.”

James Viola, president and CEO, Helicopter Association International (HAI)

“The movement toward environmentally friendly Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) aircraft is already underway, with both new entrants and existing manufacturers utilising alternative fuels. This evolution toward sustainability is the right direction for the aviation industry. Climbing. Fast. is necessary for the public and policymakers to fully understand how vertical aviation and all aviation is working towards a greener tomorrow.”

Wayne Starling, executive director, International Aircraft Dealers Association (IADA)

“IADA proudly supports the business aviation industry’s new Climbing. Fast. advocacy campaign. We are pleased to be a part of this comprehensive industry initiative to promote business aviation’s measurable, sustainable and ongoing progress to improve our environment.”

Kurt Edwards, executive director, International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) 

“Climbing. Fast. gives voice to the remarkable sustainability progress business aviation has made to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, while meeting diverse economic and societal needs. The campaign has a globally relevant message, and IBAC will work with our members and other industry partners to elevate it with policymakers around the world, underscoring business aviation’s commitment to sustainability and broader societal benefits.”

Ed Medici, president, National Aircraft Finance Association (NAFA)

“NAFA is proud to support the Climbing. Fast. Initiative. We recognise the importance of a sustainable approach to business aviation operations. NAFA members provide the capital that allows the industry to realise a more sustainable future through advancements in technology, efficiencies and investments in the next generation workforce.” 

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“Providing SAF for aircraft departing from this year’s convention not only makes the event more sustainable, but allows NBAA members to take an active role in helping the industry to achieve our net-zero target,” said Ed Bolen, president and CEO, NBAA.

SAF will be available at Henderson Executive Airport (HND), North Las Vegas Airport (VGT) and Harry Reid International Airport (LAS).

The NBAA will host the event from October 17th-19th at the Las Vegas Convention Center and HND Airport.

World Fuel Services will provide 40,000 gallons of SAF fuel at HND and VGT in conjunction with the convention. Meanwhile, Signature Aviation and Atlantic Aviation will provide supply SAF at LAS.

NBAA-BACE is the world’s largest business aviation event bringing together thousands of industry pioneers. The convention showcases technologies that are driving efficiency, safety and sustainability of aviation.

Moreover, the 2023 convention will highlight industry’s focus on sustainability with an emphasis on the notable innovations and advancements being made to shape the future.

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Some of the activists travelled over from the UK to take part. Several attached themselves to aircraft before being removed by the police. At least 102  protestors were arrested, according to Greenpeace.

They caused major disruptions with Geneva airport closing the runway. Aircraft were forced to divert to Zurich and Lyon before being refuelled. Burning many extra litres of fuel. The static display was closed for a short period.

“This is a completely unacceptable form of protest,” said NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen and EBAA chairman Juergen Wiese in a statement. “We condemn the action, and the threat it has posed to the safety and security of exhibiting companies and EBACE attendees, and others at Geneva Airport.”

The industry is open to “constructive dialogue about the industry’s sustainability leadership”, they said. “And we regret the protestors’ unfortunate decision to disregard an opportunity for that dialogue to take place.”

In the afternoon there was a planned demonstration with between 150 and 200 protestors outside Palexpo. The demonstration included representatives from environmental pressure groups Transport & Environment, Extinction Rebellion and actif-trafiC.

Youri Bernet, an activist representing actif-trafiC told CJI protestors were there to demonstrate against the symbolism of private aviation. “How can you ask someone to reduce their emissions and fly less when there are private aircraft flying above them? Private jets are not something that should exist in this type of climate crisis.” he told CJI. “This is the second biggest event for private aviation in the world and Geneva is one of the most important airports in Europe for private aviation. This is not acceptable in the climate crisis we face.”

Robert Baltus, chief operations officer, EBAA  explained that his organisation is constantly talking to environmental groups – such as the Brussels-based Transport & Environment pressure group. “We agree on the need to decarbonise aviation but we have a different timetable and approach [to the protestors],” he told CJI.

“While we agree to disagree on the timetable, we tell everyone what we are doing,” said Balthus. “It would be really good to look behind the one liner [slogans] and see what we are truly doing and to decarbonise aviation.”

Both EBAA and NBAA point out that today’s protests ignore business aviation’s success in cutting its carbon emissions by 40% over the past 40 years, while working towards achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

“We think sustainability is a licence to survive,” Giovanni Russo, chief operating officer of Geneva Airport told the keynote session of EBACE 2023 in the morning. “And, it’s even more applicable in aviation.” That licence was illegally revoked briefly today.

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