Pictured above, the static display at ACE 2026.

Global trade body The Air Charter Association (The ACA) marked another record-breaking Air Charter Expo (ACE’26) on Tuesday 8 September 2026, in partnership with Business Air News and London Biggin Hill Airport.

Air Charter Expo is the leading one-day show in the air charter industry calendar and once again saw over 2,200 registered attendees, comfortably surpassing last year’s record.

This year’s Expo featured an expanded aircraft static display, with a new pavilion area offering additional networking space, and a reconfigured conference zone. There were more than 20 fixed wing and rotary aircraft on display, including a Dassault Falcon 6X, Gulfstream G700, Embraer 135 and a Saab 2000. As always at ACE, every aircraft is fully accessible, providing a unique opportunity for attendees to go on board.

The ACE conference, hosted by The ACA, was initiated with a special introduction from Glenn Hogben, chief executive, The ACA and Tobias Bretzel, show director, AERO Friedrichshafen, showcasing the new, additional ACE Regional – Europe exhibition, which launches in 2027 from April 14–16, as part of AERO Friedrichshafen.

Glenn Hogben, chief executive, The Air Charter Association, says: “Each year Air Charter Expo continues to set new attendance records, which is testament to the value and impact of the show in the air charter industry. London Biggin Hill Airport is a fantastic venue as the established home of ACE and we look forward to another successful expo in September next year.

“In the meantime, we are excited about the expansion in April 2027, to introduce an additional exhibition, ACE Regional – Europe in partnership with Business Air News, at AERO Friedrichshafen, with the aim of delivering a new European hub for the air charter industry, building upon the success of ACE.”

Robert Walters, commercial director, London Biggin Hill Airport, adds: “ACE continues to be an unmissable event in the business aviation calendar, bringing together expertise from across the sector at London Biggin Hill Airport. This year’s record attendance demonstrates the value of meeting face-to-face and exchanging ideas to better the industry. We look forward to welcoming the air charter community back again next year.”

The conference featured leading professionals from across the air charter industry, with dedicated sessions reflecting on the state of the market in 2026, in the business aviation, rotary, commercial and cargo sectors. Chris Mace, CEO, MaceAero and The ACA board member, also moderated an insightful panel discussion on the viability of smaller aircraft charter operations, which was followed by an ‘innovation fireside chat’, hosted by Julie Black, head of executive aviation, Hunt & Palmer and The ACA board member, on how technology & innovation can support the future of flight.

Thank you to our sponsors: Dassault Aviation, Air bp, Qatar Executive, APOGEE, FCG OPS, Drivania Chauffeurs, Close Brothers, XLR Executive Jet Centres.

Pictured above, guests listening to panel discussions at ACE 2026. To download the image, please click here.

For more information:

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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 career in aviation and has worked in most areas of our industry with scheduled airlines, MRO’s, military contract support and latterly with associations, government, and its agencies.

Marc currently 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 Continued Airworthiness Group and with the Association for Remotely Piloted Aviation Services (ARPAS). 

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 six years to continue our good work for industry. With the re-established role of Chief Surveyor in the CAA we have a good focal point to undertake this work with the regulator including regular discussions and a full industry day with the CAA each year.

Marc chairs the CAA Finance and Services Forum, which allows industry in the UK to discuss the financial plans for the CAA and look closely at the services being delivered to industry. This is a new and valuable new platform for all parties.

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. 

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. Moving into 2026 we are seeking to further develop the pathways to enter aviation, and this effort is being supported with development of multimedia platforms with the organisation Metaverse. This multimedia approach is being developed so that it is more relatable to the next generation of people wishing to join aviation in a myriad of roles.

In the role of President (honorary) Marc can support the BBGA in many aspects and continue to ensure that we retain the right connections across industry, with regulators in the UK, regulators in the EU and wherever possible help hold government and its departments to account using normal channels, and where necessary utilise All Party-Political Groups for aviation.

James Carroll

Alison Chambers

Paul Cremer

Jason Hayward

James Moreton

James Hardie

Aoife O’Sullivan

Alex Durand

Marc Bailey

Sarah Towerzey

Heather Gordon

Lindsey Oliver