With confidence in the UK economy on the rise, it seems fitting that the 1997 European Business Air Show (EBAS) should be hosted at London's Stansted Airport for the first time. The sixth annual EBAS will run from the 13-15 May, and will feature all aspects of business aviation. "EBAS is the showcase for business aviation in Europe," says exhibition director David Wright. "There is a buoyant mood in the market at the moment and the show could not have come at a better time," he adds.
Wright says EBAS is designed as a trade show for manufacturers and customers, with exhibitors ranging from the major airframe builders to the smaller component manufacturers. This year's show, which is co-sponsored by Flight International, boasts a 15% increase in the number of exhibitors over the 1996 event, from 53 to 65, and is expected to attract up to 2,500 visitors throughout its three-day run.
The burgeoning interest in smaller specialist trade shows, coupled with increased economic confidence, accounts for much of the show's increasing popularity. Wright says it was clear at the National Business Aircraft Association convention in Orlando, Florida, in November 1996 that the industry had turned the corner after the recession. "We are seeing a large number of US companies wishing to market themselves in Europe for the first time," he says. This includes Pratt & Whitney Canada, Bell Helicopter and Visionaire. Others making their EBAS debuts in 1997 include Italian helicopter manufacturer Agusta, Socata Group Aerospatiale of France and Daimler-Benz Aerospace of Germany. "The show is a valuable meeting point for the business aviation industry and its customers," says exhibition manager Morten Sorensen.
The main talking points of the show will centre on the implementation of Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA) regulations, which have led to several compulsory - and some believe unnecessary - equipment changes being forced upon aircraft users.
"This is a critical and historic time for general aviation. Harmonisation throughout Europe means that more laws are being laid down by the JAA," says Graham Forbes, managing director of the UK's General Aviation Manufacturers and Traders Association. "Many of the JAA's regulations will be costly to aircraft users and manufacturers alike," he says.
According to Forbes "-business aviation is seeing a upturn geographically, from West [the USA] to East". He believes the fortunes of business aviation in Europe could be boosted further if large European companies began to change their attitude towards business aircraft ownership and the benefits that they bring to a company. "Large companies should start to see that a business aircraft can be used as a continuation of their office. We have to kick-start the use of advocacy: business aircraft make sound business sense."
Source: Flight International
