Industry Challenge
As global business aviation operations continue to expand, aviation safety, security and operational issues are international in nature. These challenges require international solutions.
NBAA Response
NBAA, as a member of IBAC, represents business aviation operators in the international arena by attending and participating in the 42nd ICAO Triennial Assembly and similar events.
NBAA and other international business aviation groups, formally represented by the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC), made business aviation operators’ voices heard at the 42nd International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Triennial Assembly in September in Montreal by highlighting key industry issues.
The ICAO Assembly is the Organization’s sovereign body, meeting at least once every three years. One hundred and ninety three Member States and many international organizations were invited to the Assembly to consider pressing topics for the international aviation community. The outcomes of each Assembly are critical in establishing the direction of ICAO’s work, guiding other ICAO bodies and its Member States as they develop technical, economic and legal positions. IBAC has permanent observer status at ICAO and provides expert advocacy and expertise to various ICAO panels and working groups on behalf of the global business aviation community.
“Visible engagement by business aviation at ICAO is increasingly important.”
Kurt Edwards IBAC Director General
IBAC’s Director General Kurt Edwards, said, “Visible engagement by business aviation at ICAO is increasingly important; therefore, we are pleased to have a record number of leaders from Member Associations and Industry Partners join us at the ICAO Assembly to demonstrate the importance of IBAC’s work and help shape ICAO’s output to the global business aviation sector.”
IBAC’s participation in ICAO study groups and panels ensures that Standards and Recommended Practices, policies, and guidance developed by ICAO – and then later adopted by ICAO Member States – accurately reflect the operational needs of business aviation.
“NBAA joined a multinational delegation of IBAC members in Montreal in support of the important work being done on behalf of business aviation,” said Doug Carr, NBAA senior vice president for safety, security, sustainability and international affairs. “This is the largest business aviation representation ever at the Assembly.”
Important business aviation topics discussed at the Assembly included emissions proposals for jet engines, including CORSIA and SAF implementation; a harmonized standard and framework for AAM development and implementation; progress in noise and CO2 stringency standards; and further fostering aviation’s economic value.
IBAC formally signed on to papers on fatigue management, decarbonization and energy sources at airports and better protections of aviation frequencies, among other topics.
“NBAA also took the opportunity in Montreal to highlight needed protections for flight tracking data,” said Carr. “Safety and security concerns related to flight tracking data are international issues and require international solutions, which ICAO is uniquely positioned to drive.”
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.