The annual EBACE show, now in its 15th year, is happening, which will mean about 15,000 people and 450 exhibitors from 60 countries descending on Geneva International Airport’s Palexpo exhibition complex. This is probably the world’s most ideal venue for an aviation trade show because the complex is right at Geneva’s airport, meaning you can walk straight out of an air conditioned exhibition hall onto the airport apron and take a tour of just about just about every aircraft type business aviation can offer.
The large business aviation operating companies such as NetJets, VistaJet, TAG Aviation, GAMA Aviation, ExecuJet and many others will all be there. So if you’re a business jet user and want to explore how this highly competitive industry can better meet your needs, this is a great chance to talk to many different service providers all in one venue and see what deals they are prepared to offer. Not surprisingly they are joined by all the major aircraft manufacturers including Gulfsteam, Bombardier, Dassault, Cessna, Hawker Beechcraft, Pilatus and HondaJet... so although your probably not in the market to buy a jet, you’ll be able to see for yourself the amazing interior of a new intercontinental Gulfstream 650, marvel at the flying board room on a Boeing Business Jet or explore the brand new innovative 4 passenger light jet from car manufacturer Honda.
It will all seem very glamorous and
exciting, but business aviation has had a really rough time through
the global recession. We spoke to David McRobert, co-founder of
aviation strategic marketing specialist at Octant Marketing, “Not
only did companies cut back on their business travel, but traveling
by business jet was frequently viewed as a sign of corporate excess,
not in keeping with a need to be seen to be cutting costs.
Fortunately businesses are now recognising that business aviation is
a superb resource, enabling time pressed members of busy teams to get
far more work completed in a working day than they would if they used
airline travel. Often a two or three day business trip to an unusual
destination connected by commercial airline and ground transport can
be completed in just one day using business aviation... and often
with time to spare. Depart when you to want from an airport close to
your office.... no long journey to the airport, no silly check in
times... and then fly straight to an airport close to your
destination. It makes a huge difference to the productivity of key
people... and, as always, if you know what you are buying it doesn’t
have to be expensive. Chartering a small turboprop or light jet for
those difficult trips can be great value and there are many business
aviation companies out there looking for your custom. Smart companies
now use commercial airlines for travel between major cities where
flights are frequent and costs are low, but use business aviation on
challenging routes where airline flights are often expensive and
total travel time can be cut dramatically”.
Bottom line, the EBACE show is a great opportunity to investigate how you can make your business more efficient. Think smart and get to a meeting, do that key deal and be back in the office doing the next deal... all before your competitor has even reached the same destination.