The Irish Business and General Aviation Association (IBGAA) is returning to EBACE in Geneva. The group will be fielding a strong team, led by Joe Buckley, founding executive director, Josh Stewart, IBGAA chair, and Keith McKay, founding member. The team will be actively promoting the fourth edition of its successful IBGAA International Business Aviation Conference. This year's conference, scheduled for 13 November, will return to the five-star K-Club Hotel and Golf Resort in County Kildare, Ireland.

Last year's IBGAA International Business Aviation Conference attracted 160 delegates, international speakers and a variety of expert industry panellists. The popular K-Club venue was praised by delegates, as were the enlightening discussions, topical sessions, excellent networking and slick production.

Multiple delegates and speakers praised the conference and its sessions with sustainability being front and centre:

A speaker from a leading OEM, commented: “Summing up the IBGAA conference in three words, it would be “energy and opportunity. It was an honour to chat about sustainability and enlightening to hear about all the exciting growth and development around business aviation in Ireland. I strongly encourage anyone interested in business aviation to check it out in 2025.”

A delegate from an international aviation company, added: “The IBGAA conference brings together industry leaders from all around the world. It champions that this industry is the incubator of innovation in supporting progress in creating sustainable travel.”

This year's conference agenda will feature some of the leading decision makers in business aviation. Delegates will also be updated on planning for the Ryder Cup, due to take place at Adare Manor Ireland in 2027.

The Irish Aviation Authority will discuss doing business in Ireland, obtaining an Irish AOC and putting aircraft on to the Irish registry.

Hand in hand with IBGAA's growth, Ireland has significantly strengthened its position in European business aviation. Fifty percent of the world's commercial aircraft are owned by Irish lessors. Additionally, many executive jet owners choose Ireland for its favourable tax regime (12.5 per cent corporate tax) and legal framework, particularly for aircraft leasing and ownership structures. Further, several business jets are based in Ireland, owned and operated by key decision makers in the leasing industry.

Demonstrating its value since its creation in 2021, IBGAA has spearheaded an important campaign to ensure that business aviation retained slots at Dublin Airport. The issue revolved around a strict passenger cap where slot restrictions threatened a complete ban of business aviation aircraft. The IBGAA worked to educate the Irish Government and key stakeholders on the importance of business aviation for the Irish economy, backed by NBAA and EBAA, turning to both associations for support to overturn its stance on business aviation.