June 14, 2022
Formed in September 2020, and formally introduced last month at the 2022 European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE), the Irish Business and General Aviation Association (IBGAA) is hard at work building international relationships and expanding knowledge and understanding of the role of general aviation and business aviation throughout the Emerald Isle.
Among the group’s projects, noted IBGAA Executive Director Joe Buckley, is crafting a “roadmap for the industry’s development” to be presented to Irish government officials later this year, emphasizing business aviation’s role in supporting companies with operations in Ireland and the country’s burgeoning tourism market.
“Governments are not always aware of the importance of [business] aviation to their countries and economies,” said Buckley, one of the founding members of the IBGAA along with Josh Stewart and Dave Scully. “These markets drive growth for Ireland’s regional airports and, in turn, the smaller communities they serve.”
Other IBGAA priorities include attracting international companies to Ireland for entry to the European market, highlighting the advantages of the country’s aircraft leasing market and the Irish Aviation Authority aircraft registry and education about new aviation technologies driving greater efficiency and sustainability.
The IBGAA has a seat on the International Business Aviation Council and is also part of the European Business Aviation Association Advocacy Committee and Council of European Business Aviation Associations.
“International credibility and collaboration is extremely important, as we’ve seen throughout our successful efforts to establish U.S. Customs and Border Protection preclearance for business aircraft at Shannon Airport (SNN),” said Buckley.
Plans are also underway for IBGAA’s first conference in November. “This is another important step toward building those international relationships,” Buckley said. “We expect to welcome between 150-200 delegates to Adare Manor, Limerick, offering these senior decision makers, aircraft owners and operators and anyone to network and build these relationships in a relaxed environment.”
Noting Ireland’s historic role as a vital aviation hub, dating back to the earliest days of international passenger air travel, Doug Carr, NBAA’s senior vice president for safety, security, sustainability and international affairs, said IBGAA presents another important voice in advocating for business aviation.
“Those who helped form the IBGAA recognized the power of industry associations on matters both unique to their respective regions and across our international aviation community,” Carr said. “The IBGAA presents a passionate and enthusiastic voice that not only bolsters Ireland’s aviation industry, but one that will also help make IBAC’s voice even stronger.”
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.