Kate Sarsfield/LONDON
The European Business Aircraft Association's (EBAA) bid to raise the status of business aviation flying in Europe has been boosted by news that the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) will accept a revised definition of business aviation in the air transport sector.
IBAC, the Washington DC, US-based umbrella organisation for the world's leading business aircraft associations, has submitted the revised definition to the International Civil Aviation Organisation in Montreal for final approval.
The EBAA has maintained for some time that the definition of business aviation under the current broad general aviation umbrella, where it is grouped with leisure flying, "undervalues" its commercial importance. "It is vital that business aviation be linked together in a common definition as part of the air transportation system instead as part of general aviation," says the EBAA.
The revised definition of business aviation reads: "That sector of aviation which concerns the operation or use of aircraft by companies for the carriage of passengers or goods, as an aid to the conduct of their business, flown for purposes generally considered not for public hire,and piloted by individuals that have at the minimum, a valid commercial pilot licence with an instrument rating."
The EBAA is trying to raise the profile of business aviation in Europe and address the growing problem of airport access in the region. It believes that as long as business aircraft remain in the same category as general aviation, the industry will not be valued as an economic asset.
"It is an absolute nonsense to incorporate business aviation with gliders, blimps and hot air balloons. We cannot win our battle for access to airports and airspace as long as we are in the same category as general aviation," says the Association.
Source: Flight International
