IBAC Update May 2026

A Word From Our Director General Kurt Edwards It was a pleasure to have participated in CJI Latin America in Sao Paulo.  There were a great turnout and useful discussions.  I was impressed by the energy around business aviation in Brazil and opportunities for the sector there and in the broader Latin American region.  Congratulations to the CJI team!
 
We look forward to several important virtual meetings this month and in early June.  The Industry Advisory Forum will take place virtually on May 21, where we will have conversations about the market outlook, the situation for the sector in the Middle East, and the ICAO 7th Worldwide Air Transport Conference, a kind of mini-Assembly looking at the economics of international air transport, critical airport and air navigation infrastructure, and incorporation of new technologies and entrants.  We will discuss potential matters to advance at this important ICAO meeting, which last took place in 2014.
 
We look forward to participating in the NBAA Regional Forum in White Plains, New York on 20 May and invite attendees to visit IBAC at booth R-05.

We are also looking forward to the IS-BAH Standards Board, which will take place virtually on Monday, 1 June, and the IBAC Governing Board, which will also meet virtually on Thursday, 4 June.
 
ICAO and Environment Capt. Claude Hurley, Director, Environment & Flight Operations 
• The ICAO Facilitation Panel met in April, with the goal to review proposals related to ICAO’s Annex 9.  Some of these proposals signaled a shift from high-level policies to more prescriptive global standards that could significantly reshape business aviation, particularly through heightened focus on irregular migration and the sector’s perceived vulnerability to misuse due to its flexible, non-scheduled operations. Central proposals include expanding API/PNR data requirements, strengthening institutional cooperation, and potentially elevating previously voluntary practices into binding standards—raising concerns about increased burden on operators. IBAC was ‘at the table’ and advocated for regulations proportional to the actual risk. The Panel also discussed broader facilitation initiatives — such as digital travel credentials, accessibility requirements, pet transport standards, accident victim assistance, and the emergence of advanced air mobility — all of which could bring opportunities as well as compliance challenges for business aviation. The overarching strategic imperative for our sector is to generally support the work being done to modernize facilitation SARPs in Annex 9, while advocating for risk-based, proportionate regulation that preserves operational flexibility, ensures inclusion of business aviation infrastructure, protects our ability to deliver on our diverse roles, including humanitarian flights, and secures recognition of crew credentials within an increasingly digital and standardized global framework.
 
• IBAC also participated in ICAO’s Flight Operations Panel (FLTOPSP) in April. This meeting delivered proposals for strategic regulatory improvements focused on operational flexibility and technological integration for business aviation. Key outcomes include a tentative agreement to further the work needed to operationalize a Performance-based Aerodrome Operating Minima (PBAOM) framework and updated runway classifications, which leverage advanced avionics—such as HUD and EVS—to provide lower visibility access to smaller airports without expensive ground infrastructure. The Flight Operations Panel also discussed the proposal originating from ICAO’s Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection (CAEP) for noise standards for Variable Noise Reduction Systems (VNRS), establishing a vital certification pathway for next-generation supersonic jets. To streamline international operations, progress was made which will improve SARPs on electronic documentation. Furthermore, the Panel discussed the introduction of ADS-B Interval Management which aims to enhance traffic spacing and fuel efficiency. For helicopter operators, new NVIS lighting procedures and technical crew standards were proposed to modernize safety during specialized night missions. Together, these initiatives, when matured through the Air Navigation Commission’s (ANC) review and subsequent State Letter consultation process, will help ensure that international civil aviation remains safety-focused while adopting cutting-edge aviation technologies that could improve aviation efficiency, capacity, security, and sustainability.
Industry Partner Programme  Leo Knaapen, Head, Industry Partner Programme 
 
• Attendance at Aero Montreal’s bi-annual International Aerospace Innovation Forum in mid-April where Germany was the “Guest Country of Honour”, triggered a high turnout from several German aerospace clusters based in Hamburg, Berlin and elsewhere.  Mr. Knaapen’s first visit to AERO Friedrichshafen in late April was an impressive one with an active number of bizav exhibitors and attendees.
 
• Q2-2026 kicked off in a positive way by continuing to attract members to the Industry Partner Programme, adding our first IPP representing the legal profession who will be announced shortly.  Currently, we number 32 IPP members.
 
• Pleased to report that several IPP members have recently been approved by ICAO to serve as IBAC observers and advisors on ICAO Working Panels involved in the Environment, Cyber Security and Advanced Air Mobility.  These welcome developments help in ensuring that the views and interests of Business Aviation are properly represented at ICAO, via IBAC.  Thank you to members for your support.
 
• Due to the cancellation of EBACE 2026, our Industry Advisory Forum meeting is now being held as an on-line session on Thursday, 21 May 2026.  Some 30 delegates are already confirmed to attend this exclusive, by-invitation-only gathering.
 
• Looking ahead, attendance is planned for Aero Montreal’s Annual General Meeting, followed in June by the Canadian Business Aviation Association (CBAA) annual convention in Calgary and the 4th edition of the Elite Wings Aviation Summit in Montreal.
IS-BAO Andrew Karas, IS-BAO Programme Director

• ICAO Safety Management Panel – Stephane DeWolf, IS-BAO Safety and Regulatory Affairs Manager attended the latest International Civil Aviation Organization Safety Management Panel meeting in Montreal from 20–24 April, contributing to discussions on advancing global safety management frameworks.  His role as Vice Chairman of the panel supports ongoing collaboration among international stakeholders to strengthen the implementation of safety management guidance and standards, and to align on emerging aviation safety priorities.
 
• Research Project on Prevention of Airborne Conflict – Work continues with this new project led by EUROCONTROL and Flight Safety Foundation.  Titled Global Action Plan for Prevention of Airborne Conflict, the initiative focuses on collecting and analyzing data on conflict events worldwide, across all aviation sectors and stakeholders.  We are grateful to the Teterboro Users Group for providing valuable data on IFR and VFR conflicts gathered over the years from business aviation operators.  The project will ultimately produce guidance materials to help stakeholders develop procedures and raise awareness of best practices for airspace users.  Stay tuned!
 
• NBAA Regional:  White Plains, New York – Catch up with IBAC at this regional BizAv event and contact us at comms@ibac.org by 13 May if you need a complimentary registration badge.  NBAA White Plains Regional Forum | NBAA – National Business Aviation Association
 
• Business Aviation Security Course: This course has moved to 22-23 June 2026.  If you are looking to update your security program and gather information on threats to aviation, this is the course for you.  Register today: International Business Aviation Council | Business Aviation Security Course – June online 2026 – presented by Dyami and IS-BAO/IS-BAH
 
• Seeking RPAS-Credentialed Auditors – The RPAS sector within business aviation is expanding rapidly and IS-BAO is actively supporting its growth.  We offer a clear pathway for auditors to earn their RPAS credential as operator registrations continue to rise.  Register for the course here: IS-BAO RPAS Auditor Training
 
• IS-BAO Training Schedule Updated – Our IS-BAO Initial and Recurrent courses are now scheduled through September 2026.  
 
• PSA Spotlights and IS-BAO SafetyNet Webinars – New PSA Spotlights and SafetyNet webinar recordings have been uploaded, covering PSA services and key safety management topics.
IS-BAH Terry Yeomans, Programme Director


• IS-BAH workshops in April were well attended again with a wide geographical group of GHSP and potential accredited auditors taking part. 
 
• The ICAO Ground Handling Task Force met virtually 21-23 April, to discuss the outcomes of the ICAO State Letter on ground handling along with focus on a re-work of the ICAO Doc 10121 The Manual on Ground Handling. A further ad-hoc meeting is scheduled for early June, with the next fallen person meeting scheduled for mid-October.
 
•  May is also busy, with the AIA conference (Dallas), another Fundamentals workshop set for 12-13 May, and Steven Abreu-Hill will be exhibiting at the NBAA Regional forum in White Plains, 20 May. Contact comms@ibac.org by May 13 if you are interested in complimentary registration to the regional forum.