The Air Charter Expo (ACE'23), held on Tuesday, 12 September at London Biggin Hill airport in the UK was attended by well over 1,300 delegates, a record number for the annual event.

A full day of conference sessions took place alongside more than 90 exhibitors and 16 aircraft on the static display.

The incisive conference programme covered many aspects of air charter. We found out about the new normal for passenger air charter and regulations concerning sustainable air charter. A panel talked through the market challenges and opportunities for rotary air charter, another about balancing capacity with demand for cargo operations, and there were was a lively discussion about the pathway for zero emissions aviation. Dassault presented its Falcon 900LX and The ACA its broker qualification. All nicely rounded off with networking soft drinks for The ACA membership.

But ACE is not just about learning; the small but perfectly formed expo also offers the best face-to-face networking day. There was a lively buzz as operators and industry professionals engaged with customers about services and opportunities, and welcomed them aboard aircraft stationed only a few metres away.

Enhanced security meant no disruptions, ensuring ACE’23 was one of few aviation shows to remain undisturbed this year.

For show sales manager Mark Ranger it was the final event, a culmination of over twenty years building the event up since its debut in 2001 at Cambridge airport, and since 2015 at London Biggin Hill airport.

"Mark has been the public face of ACE, and a key player in making it an essential event in the business aviation calendar," says Business Air News director David Wright. "I know that the thousands who have attended the shows over the years will be very grateful for his hard work and enthusiasm, and will want to join the ACE team in wishing him a long, healthy and happy retirement."

Next year, ACE'24 will take place on Tuesday, 10 September, 2024 once again at London Biggin Hill airport. We look forward to seeing you again.