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Andy Herzog |
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Andy Herzog |
After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, EBACE 2022 reopened its doors to industry professionals at Geneva Airport from 23 May 2022 to 25 May 2022. Whilst civil air traffic had almost ground to a halt over the past two years, cargo airlines and business aviation saw significant growth. But appearances can be deceiving. At this year’s EBACE, too, the organisers were only able to attract around 60% of the exhibitors and customers compared to EBACE 2019. Sanctions against Russia and its wealthy oligarchs, as well as other clients, made expectations seem rather modest. Despite these less than encouraging facts, business aviation sees itself well on the way to the future and is also strongly committed to sustainable and innovative travel concepts in private aviation, which will give the industry a further boost in the near future. It was remarkable to see the many sustainable start-ups at this year’s fair, which were able to successfully promote and sell their ideas to interested customers from all over the world. A successful fresh start with many innovations and challenges that the industry will master with great vigour and new ideas!
(Picture courtesy Andy Herzog
(Picture courtesy Andy Herzog
(Picture courtesy Andy Herzog
(Picture courtesy Andy Herzog
Our impressions of the trade fair
As has been the case in previous years, the EBACE organising committee once again impressed with its efforts to ensure everything ran smoothly. Upon arrival at Geneva Airport, visitors and exhibitors were able to take a shuttle bus to the exhibition registration desk every few minutes. After registering, a quick visit to the press centre was on the agenda, where, as usual, the latest exhibition documents from the ‘Gilde der Schreiberlinge’ were available to us. As is customary, we began with a brief tour of the exhibition halls on our way to the static display of the aircraft. As members of the press and photographers, we prefer to visit the EBACE exhibition grounds in the morning, as the morning sun at our backs allows for the best shots when the sun is shining (and it certainly was). After my tour and initial meetings with the manufacturers, the organisers’ claims were confirmed. Fewer exhibitors, fewer aircraft, but also less stress in securing an appointment with an exhibitor! It was almost like a family outing. A fresh, successful start to the trade fair, which is sure to see an increase in the number of exhibitors in future editions.
Cessna Citation CJ4 N372CZ (Picture courtesy Andy Herzog
Cessna Citation CJ4 N372CZ (Picture courtesy Andy Herzog
Cessna Citation XLS+ N318XL (Picture courtesy Andy Herzog
Cessna Citation Latitude (Picture courtesy Andy Herzog
Bombardier's Global Express 8000 sets a new standard
The Canadian manufacturer currently offers its customers a full range of business jets. These include the following tried-and-tested Bombardier models: Global 5000, Global 5500, Global Express, Global Express XRS, Global 6000, Global 6500 and the Global 7500. With the Global 8000, Bombardier will set new standards in its class in the coming years, not only in terms of size but also in terms of speed and range. With a cruising speed of 1,033 km/h and a non-stop range of over 14,800 km, the Global 8000 can operate point-to-point almost anywhere in the world, offering lower costs, greater efficiency and the latest in comfort for its customers. With a base price of US$71 million plus the cost of customising the cabin to your specifications, it is certainly no bargain, but a sound investment for international corporations and private individuals. The Global 7500 made its debut with its first customers four years ago and enjoys a high level of trust among its clientele. We can look forward to the 8000 version!
Gulfstream G500 N588GA (Picture courtesy Andy Herzog
Gulfstream G500 N588GA (Picture courtesy Andy Herzog
Gulfstream G500 N588GA (Picture courtesy Andy Herzog
Gulfstream G600 T7-CAPE (Picture courtesy Andy Herzog
Gulfstream G600 T7-CAPE (Picture courtesy Andy Herzog
Gulfstream G600 T7-CAPE (Picture courtesy Andy Herzog
(Picture courtesy Andy Herzog
(Picture courtesy Andy Herzog
Bombardier BD-700-2A12 Global 7500 N750GX (Picture courtesy Andy Herzog
Gulfstream G650ER A7-GCI (Picture courtesy Andy Herzog
Piper PA-46-M350 LN-TOB (Picture courtesy Andy Herzog
(Picture courtesy Andy Herzog
(Picture courtesy Andy Herzog
(Picture courtesy Andy Herzog
(Picture courtesy Andy Herzog
Dassault is breaking new ground with the Falcon 10X
Well-known and popular with customers, Dassault has been supplying various versions of the Falcon to its clients for many years. Customers can therefore choose between the Falcon 900LX, 2000LX, 6X, 7X and 8X, depending on their specific requirements. To keep pace with the growing demands of its customers, the company has developed the Falcon 10X, a completely new business aircraft for its customers. The most striking change to the design is undoubtedly the new tailplane, which on the 10X is mounted at the tip of the vertical stabiliser. This is a first for Dassault, as all other jets in the Falcon series have the tailplane in the centre of the vertical stabiliser. As with all other Falcon models, the 10X will again feature a large number of windows, which emphasises the brightness in the cabin and creates a pleasant lighting atmosphere.
Dassault Falcon 900EX CS-EME (Picture courtesy Andy Herzog
F-HITX - Dassault Falcon 8X F-HITX (Picture courtesy Andy Herzog
(Picture courtesy Andy Herzog
(Picture courtesy Andy Herzog
(Picture courtesy Andy Herzog
(Picture courtesy Andy Herzog
F-HITX - Dassault Falcon 8X F-HITX (Picture courtesy Andy Herzog
Dassault Falcon 6X F-WZOA (Picture courtesy Andy Herzog
Start-ups with groundbreaking innovations
New ideas for efficiency and energy savings are also making their mark in business aviation. Several exhibitors presented their concepts to industry experts at this year’s EBACE. Linz AG, in particular, attracted considerable interest from customers with its flying drone taxis, which aim to revolutionise local transport between megacities and airports in the near future. The flying drones have been fully developed, and series production is set to begin in the near future. In China, air taxis are already planned for test routes. The commercial launch of passenger transport is expected to take place before the end of this decade. In Austria, there is eager anticipation for the pending approval, which could then also allow manned drone flights here in the country.
The PAL-V Liberty from the Netherlands, along with its eponymous aircraft model PH-PAV, also comes very close to realising the vision of a car with flying capabilities for urban transport, and expects to receive its first approvals for trial operations within the next two years.
PAL-V (Picture courtesy Andy Herzog
PAL-V (Picture courtesy Andy Herzog
PAL-V (Picture courtesy Andy Herzog
PAL-V (Picture courtesy Andy Herzog
Airtaxi“ from LINZ AG (Picture courtesy Andy Herzog
Airtaxi“ from LINZ AG (Picture courtesy Andy Herzog
Airtaxi“ from LINZ AG (Picture courtesy Andy Herzog
Airtaxi“ from LINZ AG (Picture courtesy Andy Herzog
Other visitors at EBACE
As usual, (almost) all the well-known companies and manufacturers were present at this year’s event, including Agusta, Piaggio, HondaJet, Gulfstream, Pilatus with the PC-24, Boeing with the B737-7CG BBJ N950TR, and Airbus with the A318-112 ACJ VP-CKH, both of which are owned by an unnamed private client. Only Embraer was not represented at EBACE 2022, at least in the static display.
Agusta-Westland AW-139 CS-HAK (Picture courtesy Andy Herzog
Agusta-Westland AW-139 CS-HAK (Picture courtesy Andy Herzog
Airbus Helicopters H135 F-HYLE (Picture courtesy Andy Herzog
(Picture courtesy Andy Herzog
Honda HA-420 Hondajet Elite S T7-BCC (Picture courtesy Andy Herzog
Honda HA-420 Hondajet Elite S T7-BCC (Picture courtesy Andy Herzog
(Picture courtesy Andy Herzog
(Picture courtesy Andy Herzog
New visitor terrace at Geneva-Cointrin Airport
There was no question that we simply had to visit and take a look at the new visitor terrace at GVA. Although not the easiest to find due to the signage, the visitor terrace – which opened in autumn 2021 – was another highlight of our visit to Geneva. With no glass panes to obstruct the view and a 180° panoramic view of the apron, taxiway and runway, it’s sure to set every plane spotter’s heart racing. A small bistro also provides refreshments throughout the day whilst spotting at GVA.
(Picture courtesy Andy Herzog
Airbus A320-200 ACJ Sharjah Ruler's Flight A6-SHJ (Picture courtesy Andy Herzog
Airbus A320-214 easyJet OE-ICR (Picture courtesy Andy Herzog
4X-EKJ (Picture courtesy Andy Herzog
Airbus A321neo Middle East Airlines T7-MEI (Picture courtesy Andy Herzog
Airbus A321-200 Turkish Airlines TC-JSE (Picture courtesy Andy Herzog
Airbus A320-214 easyJet HB-JXF (Picture courtesy Andy Herzog
Airbus A320-214 Air France F-HEPF (Picture courtesy Andy Herzog
A successful restart to the 2022 aviation season following two challenging years of the pandemic. There is certainly still room for improvement, but we have undoubtedly made a positive fresh start after the hardships we have endured. We are therefore looking forward to the current 2022 season, which will feature many more aviation events, and we are eagerly anticipating EBACE 2023 in May of next year.