Press Release

Issued by British Business and General Aviation Association.

September 28, 2015

While the overall trend for business aviation has not fully recovered since the peak of 2008 there are some notable emerging bright spots, delegates attending BGAD (Business and General Aviation Day) 2015 at London Biggin Hill Airport this month heard. The UK is ahead of this growth curve but in the political landscape there is still much to do BBGA ceo Marc Bailey noted.

Highlights include a growth of 10% in the very light jet market, while business turboprop activity, led by the venerable Textron Beechcraft King Air, is firmly back to year 2009 flying levels. Piston-engined aircraft also saw a significant growth last year, according to leading business aviation analysts WINGX Advance.

Business aviation aircraft regularly engaged in multi mission roles; in SAR, medevac and surveillance and currently they account for 22% of activity in Europe, complementing the productive and time saving roles they fulfil moving company executives swiftly between factories and production bases.

“Demand in the lower end of the market reflects a sector that is predominantly business led,” said Richard Koe, WINGX managing director. “Currently 50% of all business jet activity in Europe is flown by light jets. Business turboprops account for 30% of movements although ultra-long range bizjet flying is up too; 12% over last year. This summer the average number of passengers flying on these bigger jets was below capacity, averaging 2.5 passengers,” he said.

It is the activity in this sector, the ultra-long range large cabin aircraft, which tends to confirm the perception of business aviation as an extravagance rather than business tool. “The view is especially prevalent among regulators and politicians and certain mainstream media,” said Marc Bailey. “But we should not really have to defend ourselves,” he said.

After all, the wealthy individuals, investors and spenders flying these business jets make a valuable contribution to UK GDP. Their business decisions, often facilitated by business aviation, generate investment and jobs for the UK economy. “Our focus needs to be on making the UK a welcoming place to do business. Therefore we should be doing everything we can to encourage people to come here.” Richard Koe agreed, pointing out that with the number of ultra-high net worth individuals increasing at close to 10% a year, the industry should do more to appreciate its primary growth engine.

An important part of BBGA's work this past year has been regular engagement with government ministers (the red tape challenge). The association has two further meetings scheduled with UK aviation minister Robert Goodwill in October and January, following the successful relationship it enjoyed with Grant Shapps, UK minister for international development.

Agenda items include the premium charges now randomly being made at the London FBOs, from £0 to £130 per business jet arrival as unprecedented border force charges. "This could have become illegally enforced were it not for industry action," Marc Bailey stated. Another important initiative BBGA wishes to gain recognition for is to gain wider recognition for the role of aviation services as an important entity.

Marc also addressed the work BBGA has been doing with ECOGAS (European Council of GA Support). “This has been important in that it has made it easier for us to hold meetings with officials at EASA and the European Commission, and partner with likeminded associations that cover maintenance and training. With 700 members linked to us, it allows BBGA to talk about SMEs,” he said. “A lot of work has been done with EASA in the GA sector and we are getting good results,” he concluded.