A Word From Our Director General

Kurt Edwards

The ICAO 42nd Assembly concluded in early October. A42 was a resounding success for business aviation, and much of this success is attributable to the superb collective engagement of our delegation. At 24 representatives, this was the largest delegation of the International Business Aviation Council to attend an ICAO Assembly.

We successfully raised the profile of business aviation across ICAO Member States, the ICAO Council, national civil aviation authorities, and the ICAO Secretariat through active engagement in the Assembly Hall, the committees and commissions, discussions during the breaks, meetings with various delegations, and conversations during the all-important receptions.

The eight working papers initially co-sponsored by IBAC, as well as the ten WPs where we were listed as ‘additional co-sponsors’, were all supported.

In addition, IBAC took the floor eight times to deliver prepared interventions, which were influential, well noted, and nudged report outcomes in our favor.

Key issues that we acted on include the following:

GNSS Radio Frequency Interference
ADS-B Flight Tracking
Recognition of IS-BAH in ICAO Global Aviation Safety Plan
Call for States to Scale SAF Production
Opposition to Global Solidarity Levy
Positive Safety Culture
Facilitating International Access in Post-Disaster Assistance
Facilitation and Crew IDs

On behalf of IBAC and the Governing Board, I extend our genuine appreciation to members of our delegation—and their sponsoring member associations and industry partner organizations—for their visible engagement and support, and for helping to strengthen key relationships and initiate some new ones with Member States, industry, and the ICAO Secretariat. Their high level of engagement will help advance business aviation interests at ICAO.

The IBAC Governing Board held its fall meeting at NBAA BACE and our largest yet Industry Advisory Forum. Thank you to all who joined and visited with us at BACE. They allowed for productive conversations, and we plan to build on their success.

In November, we look forward to participating at CJI Miami and at the IBGAA’s Annual Conference in Ireland and seeing many of you at each.

ICAO and Sustainability

Capt. Claude Hurley, Director, Environment & Flight Operations

– With the ICAO 42nd Assembly concluding on the 3rd of October, both the ICAO Air Navigation Commission (ANC) and the Council are back in session. While most of the current Council slate are incumbent States re-elected to the Council, fully a third of the thirty-six Council States were newly elected at 42nd Assembly. The twelve States newly taking up their posts in Council in this triennium are: Angola, Belize, Columbia, Cuba, Denmark, Ecuador, Mali, Morocco, Poland, Switzerland, Uganda, and Uruguay.

– IBAC, as business aviation’s recognized voice at ICAO, follows both the Council and ANC deliberations, and also actively participates through our nominated experts in the key ICAO technical groups, such as the Committee on Aviation Environment Protection (CAEP), the Advanced Air Mobility Study Group (AAM-SG), and key Technical Panels of the ANC, such as the Safety Management Panel (SMP) and the Flight Operations Panel (FLTOPSP). We will continue to share our expertise – your expertise – and advocate for the business aviation community as ICAO, with the Assembly’s endorsement, aims to make progress towards its 2026-2050 strategic plan. In short, the plan sets out to reach ‘three essential aspirations’, namely: zero fatalities; a connected transport system; and net-zero carbon emissions. In the coming months, ICAO will review the outcomes of the 42nd Assembly and may re-prioritize its already task-intensive work programme.

Industry Partner Programme

Leo Knaapen, Head, Industry Partner Programme

– Pleased to report that 16 IPP organizations were actively engaged at the 4th session of our Industry Advisory Forum, held following the conclusion of the NBAA-BACE show. These 16 IPP members were joined by eight (8) IBAC Member Associations and 10 members of the ICAO Secretariat – a total of 34 delegates! Easily our strongest IAF attendance to date!

– Hot topics included IBAC’s preliminary report on the ICAO A42 Assembly which had concluded on 3 October, along with very topical presentations on Flight Tracking and SAF Pricing. These were supplemented by an introduction to IBAC’s new CORE programme and Elite Wings presenting on the societal benefits of Business Aviation.

– Delighted to advise that Industry veteran leader Bill Dolny, CEO of MedAire, was elected Vide-Chair of IAF. You may have seen an IBAC news, recently released! Congratulations, Bill, and thank you for accepting this important nomination!

– Membership Growth: At NBAA BACE, we introduced CST Flight Services as our newest IPP member. Headquartered in Miami with operations spanning Mexico and the Caribbean, CST Flight Services will strengthen our IBAC presence in this growing region.

– On Deck: We’re all set for the CJI-Miami Conference on 4-6 November – one of the more strategic conferences in our sector. More than 475 Industry leaders are registered and will see IBAC Director General Kurt Edwards participate in a “fireside chat” on several key global issues including cyber security and spoofing.

IS-BAO

Andrew Karas, IS-BAO Programme Director

– IS-BAO Standards Board (13 Oct): Sincere gratitude to all attendees for constructive feedback and sustained contributions that reinforce IS-BAO’s role in driving consistent global safety performance and upholding the ICAO-recognized industry standard for business aviation. The standards remain the same this year, and we will share meeting highlights and more details in the next couple of weeks—stay tuned.

– Did you know: IS-BAO offers a FAA Part 5 supplement for operators seeking conformity. Access via the IBAC portal: Home | International Business Aircraft Council

– NBAA-BACE (14–16 Oct): Thank you to NBAA for an outstanding event that united industry stakeholders. It was energizing to engage with IS-BAO Operators, Partners, and Affiliates in Las Vegas—already looking forward to next year!

– ICAO Safety Management Panel (SMP) (28-31 Oct): IS-BAO supported the SMP meeting held in Madrid, Spain as it advances amendments to Annex 19. With a leadership role on the SMP, we are grateful to our industry and regulatory colleagues for the opportunity to contribute to the ongoing development of global Safety Management System standards.

– ICAO RPAS Working Group (20–24 Oct): IS-BAO represented business aviation in Montreal, Canada to advance safety, interoperability, and regulatory alignment for remotely piloted aircraft systems. Additionally, we are thankful for our assistance from Unmanned Safety Institute for their continued support as an IBAC advisor to this ICAO Working Group.

– IS-BAO Workshop schedule: Additional dates for IS-BAO training have been added. Interested in learning more or registering? See the schedule here: International Business Aviation Council | Workshops

– Business Aviation Safety Course (12–13 Nov): A valuable training opportunity to advance your organization’s security program. Register now with our Dyami partners for an engaging and insightful event: International Business Aviation Council | Business Aviation Security Course – presented by Dyami and IS-BAO/IS-BAH

IS-BAH

Terry Yeomans, Programme Director

– Final workshops for the year are scheduled for 17-18 November (Fundamentals) and 9-10 December (Auditing). Register HERE. The 2026 schedule through June will be available within the next few days

– To gather feedback from the ground handling community for ICAO discussions, the IS-BAH team is asking for brief input on what challenges you may be facing with maintaining your SMS in daily operations. Please email your comments to ISBAH@IBAC.org

– IS-BAH Audit Manager, Steven Abreu-Hill is attending the upcoming Bombardier Safety Stand Down and looks forward to connecting with many of you.

– Terry Yeomans, IS-BAH Programme Director will be attending the ICAO Ground Handling Task Force meeting in December.

Paul Cremer

My name is Paul Cremer, and this marks my 42nd year working within the business and general aviation industry. Over this time, I’ve had the privilege of overseeing a diverse array of sector activities, ranging from aircraft charter and management to air ambulance services, ground operations, air traffic control, airport management, technology implementation, and the outsourcing services I currently manage.

In my role focused on delivering advisory, technology, and outsourcing services to aviation customers, I handle a wide spectrum of responsibilities. This includes overseeing International Trip Support, Operations Control Centre Services (OCC), Continuing Airworthiness Management Service (CAMO), Airworthiness Reviews, ARC Services, Aircraft Delivery and Re-delivery Support Services, Maintenance Coordination Services including AOG, Tech Ops (Maintenance Control Centre), and managing myairops software products. As the Head of Aviation Delivery, I lead the customer-facing delivery of Technology & Outsourcing products and services for the market, drawing upon a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and industry connections within Gama Aviation’s Technology and Outsourcing Strategic Business Unit.

My journey into Business and General Aviation began during my teenage years while still in school. I was fortunate enough to be welcomed into the industry, starting at a flying club, and later working at the Air Traffic Services Unit at Blackbushe Airport. There, I maintained the ATC Movement Logs in the Control Tower during weekends, solidifying my passion for aviation. Upon completing my schooling, I seized opportunities at Fairoaks Airport, where I began as Ground Crew while pursuing my Aerodrome Flight Information Service Officer’s license. Advancements in my career led me to the role of Air Traffic Services Manager.

Since joining Gama Aviation in 1996, I’ve held various positions, including Operations Manager (Post Holder), Operations & Commercial Manager, Commercial Manager, Operations Delivery Manager, Head of Business Aviation Delivery, and currently, Head of Aviation Delivery. This role encompasses Gama Aviation Group’s Gama Aviation, myairops, and FlyerTech companies.

In 2023, I was honoured to be invited to serve as the Chair of the Operations Working Group for the British Business & General Aviation Association. This opportunity allows me to contribute to industry initiatives within BBGA’s membership of nearly 200 industry companies, focusing on challenges such as regulatory compliance, Air Services Agreements, technological advancements, workforce development, operational matters, and sustainability.

Marc Bailey

Marc Bailey has spent his entire career in aviation and has worked in most areas of Aviation Services with scheduled airlines, MRO’s, military contract support and latterly with associations, government, and its agencies.

Marc represents your position in Europe (even post Brexit) – as President of ECOGAS (European Council of General Aviation Support) which maintains a voice with EASA. All the major member states are represented on the ECOGAS board. With EASA restructuring its meetings with industry, ECOGAS is now well positioned to represent our position in all areas following industry partnerships with the European Independent Maintenance Group and with ARPAS the new drone and autonomous association.

Marc is chair of the UKASF (United Kingdom Airworthiness Strategic Forum) as part of an initiative to develop Aviation Services across all aviation activities. The UKASF pulls together airlines, MROs, Rotary, Drones, and commercial GA bodies to work with CAA and DfT. The objective is for industry to take the lead to drive strategic issues to benefit all parties. We are well positioned after four years to continue our good work and with the re-established role of Chief Surveyor in the CAA we have a good focal point to do this.

Marc chairs the CAA Finance and Services Forum which allows industry in the UK to discuss in the financial plans for the CAA and the value for money delivered by those funds paid by industry. This is a new and valuable new platform for all parties.

Under recent developments Marc has formed an alliance with, ARPAS, AOPA, BHA and BBGA so that we can strengthen our voice under a joint ‘GA 4 Biz’ banner. This alliance is working to do everything possible to represent the industry’s business interests with UK government and to help realise the Government’s desire to make UK General Aviation a Global Leader in a post Brexit environment. GA4Biz – GA4Biz

The next Generation initiatives with industry and government have continued to develop with the retention platform now evolving into the “Aviation Skills Recruitment Platform”. The platform now not only offers a vehicle for those offering and seeking posts in aviation, it also provides pathways with its TalentView portion seeking to provide pathways for new entrants into our sector. The recruitment platform is being further developed to include training opportunities across a wide range of providers, from government agencies through academic bodies. Getting our next generation activities right in the UK over the next couple of years is our single most important issue which we in aviation must grab with both hands. Marc is playing a central role to help develop many of these channels.

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A Word From Our Director General

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British Business and General Aviation Association

A Word From Our Director General

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British Business and General Aviation Association

Alison Chambers

Paul Cremer

Jason Hayward

James Moreton

James Hardie

Aoife O’Sullivan

Alex Durand

Marc Bailey

Sarah Towerzey

Heather Gordon

Lindsey Oliver