Irish business aviation lands at EBACE

Monday 23rd May 2022

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Fledgling Irish Business Aviation Association

announces its official launch and conference this Novembe r

 

The Irish Business & General Aviation Association (www.IBGAA.com) is marking its formal launch at EBACE (Stand G87 Irish Aviation Authority) in Geneva this week (23 to 25 May), coinciding with news it is to host its own network-focused destination conference this autumn.  The debut edition will take place on 17th November in a partnership with the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA), at Adare Manor, Limerick, ranked the fifth top ranked resort in the world.*

 

IBGAA is also delighted to confirm Gulfstream as its first, premier sponsor.

 

The Association’s founding trio – Josh Stewart, Joe Buckley and Dave Scully, attending EBACE to talk with prospective new members, intend to make the conference, which will include an end of day gala dinner,  an annual event.  It will appeal to senior decision makers in business aviation, with a target audience of corporate jet operators, private aircraft owners, plus charter users from various sectors (MICE, sport and entertainment).

 

Conference topics will cover:

 

-New opportunities for business aviation in ultra-luxe tourism

-How private charter can support international corporates and bolster economies

-Business aviation for leisure in the post-Covid world

-How aircraft technology and innovation is driving efficiency and sustainability

- Connected aviation – what’s next inflight and on the ground

-How  US CBP Pre-clearance at Shannon Airport has become a major success story

-The advantages of setting up in Ireland, the world’s capital of aircraft leasing, as a friendly gateway to Europe.

-How setting up in Ireland can provide entry to the European market.

 

The IBGAA was formed with a handful of founding members including  ACASS Ireland, Gainjet Ireland  and  Woodgate Aviation,  during September 2020, in the teeth of the pandemic. 

 

The Association was pleased to secure a member sharing agreement with the EBAA at the outset, with EBAA COO  Robert Baltus commenting:  “With business aviation facing many challenges both at national and European level, it’s more important than ever for associations to work together and help the industry move forward.”

 

The IBGAA is also an accepted member of the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC), enabling it to expand its international reach as it promotes the advantages Ireland offers to the global Business aviation industry. ”

 

“EBACE is the most relevant opportunity to meet with members, entice prospective members and highlight our conference and  launch, which we are very excited about,” said IBGAA’s Josh Stewart.  Josh brings solid industry association experience honed with the Middle East Business Aviation Association and IBAC to the IBGAA team.

 

“We are delighted that Adare Manor, owned by private jet owner and legendary golf and horse-racing entrepreneur JP McManus, is enthusiastic to partner with us for our debut conference,” said Joe Buckley.  The Irish Tourist Board is also providing considerable support.

 

“Our aim is to establish a must attend event on the international business aviation calendar at Adare Manor, or another of Ireland’s luxury castle hotels in the future, annually,” he added.

 

"Our conference will outline the advantages of using Ireland as a European base,” added Dave Scully.  “It is a highly attractive location for business aviation aircraft registration, ownership and aircraft leasing.  “Its gold standard registry, operated by the Irish Aviation Authority, is one of the most highly-regarded national aviation regulatory authorities in the world.”

 

The Irish Aviation Regulator, Diarmuid Ó Conghaile welcomed the establishment of the association: “Private jets are a long-established segment of the Irish aviation eco-system and the formation of the IBGAA is a welcome development in this space as Ireland looks towards the future and the recovery from the past years of stagnation in the sector.

We look forward to working with the IBGAA membership and continue to offer our world-class registry services through the EI & EJ register.”

 

IBGAA has arranged a photo call and be available on the IAA Stand at 1100hrs, Tuesday 24 May,  to talk more about the association and the exciting new conference. 

 

*Ranked by Conde Nast Traveler.  Adare Manor will be the venue of the 2027 Ryder Cup.   JP McManus has transformed Adare Manor, investing a considerable sum of money to make it one of the best golf resorts in the world.  Adare is of huge importance to the Shannon Region, supporting around 600 jobs directly.

 

Adare Manor, Limerick

 

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Editor’s notes

 

The Irish Business and General Aviation Association was formed in September 2020 with 25 members including leading Irish resort venues and lifestyle brands.  Its board comprises:

 

Josh Stewart,  Founding Chairman of IBGAA, Founder & CEO of Robusto Capital, Founder & CEO of XJet®, IBGAA Representative on the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) Governing Board and Board Member of the Middle East & North Africa Business Aviation Association (MEBAA), and a veteran of the aviation industry for more than 30 years.

 

Dave Scully  is the Founding Vice-Chairman of the Irish Business & General Aviation Association (IBGAA) and Managing Director & Accountable Manager at Private Sky, Shannon-based leading corporate aircraft management company. A stalwart of Irish business and general aviation, Dave has close to two decades’ experience in aviation operations at senior management level. He previously held the position of Director of Operations at Dublin-Weston Executive Airport and was also the founder of AEM Limited Aviation Consultancy.

 

Joe Buckley  is the Founding Executive Director of IBGAA. An aviation industry veteran, with over 40 years’ extensive experience working for Shannon Airport, Joe has held several executive roles within airport operations and business development. He is a member of the EBAA’s Advocacy Committee and the Irish representative on the Council of European Business Aviation Associations. An early advocate of extending US preclearance to business aviation, Joe played a key role in the subsequent opening of the world’s first US preclearance facility in Shannon for business aviation.

 

K eith McKay,  Founding Member, is Operations Manager & Business Development Manager at Woodgate Aviation, the Belfast International Airport-based fixed wing air ambulance operator, private jet management company, charter broker, FBO and general aviation maintenance provider.    Keith joined Woodgate Aviation in 2012, after 14 years in the airline sector, bringing an in-depth knowledge of operational and service delivery.   He is credited for increasing Woodgate Aviation’s brand awareness via social media platforms, marketing campaigns, introducing a new company website and organizing and promoting successful local business aviation product placement and showcase events in Northern Ireland.

 

Kenneth Fielding  is General Manager for Signature Flight Support in Shannon. Signature Flight Support is the world’s largest Fixed Base Operator with over 200 locations worldwide including Shannon and Dublin, supplying essential support services for business and private aviation including ground handling, refuelling and a variety of other world-class amenities. Kenneth began working for Signature in 2005 as a customer service representative, becoming Operations Manager in 2014. In 2015 he was promoted to General Manager for the Shannon base. In his current role, he handles day to day activity, delivering a consistent premier service to Signature customers while supporting a strong safety culture.

Angie Deady-Fiddler  is a director of Martyn Fiddler Aviation based at their Irish office. Angie oversees and manages customs businesses in Ireland, UK, Isle of Man and the Netherlands. Having previously worked extensively in customer service roles and administration services, Angie joined the business in 2000 and has led the customs team for over 20 years, growing it to be a globally recognised brand within the business aviation sector.

Liam Murphy  is General Manager for Universal Aviation based in Shannon Airport, Ireland. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Universal is a leading Trip Support Services specialist for business aviation operators with a multi-national, global client base.  Liam  has over 20 years’ aviation experience, primarily involved in business aviation sector, including roles in Customer Service, Safety & Training and Operations. As part of his experience, Liam spent a number of years as the Director of Ground Operations for one of Ireland’s leading charter operators.

Russ Allchorne  is Chief Operating Officer for ACASS Ireland, a Shannon-based corporate aircraft management and charter company and founding company of the IBGAA.  Russ has been involved in aviation for his entire life. Having gained a pilot’s licence before he could drive, Russ joined the RAF in 1983 and flew a variety of fighter jets and WWII aircraft over a career spanning 25 years.  Russ left the RAF as a Group Captain in 2008.

Jim O’Sullivan  is founder and Managing Director of Dublin-based EXjets Ltd, which started in 1994 offering leasing and charter flights.  The business is 100% committed to providing a first-class personalised service with flying schedules tailored specifically to client requirements.

Alan Nee  is a Licensed FAA and EASA ATPL corporate jet and helicopter pilot with extensive operational experience in North and South America, the Caribbean, Middle East, Asia, Far East, Russia and Europe. Past operational roles have included: CEO and Accountable Manager for Premier Aviation Ltd. (Helicopter AOC), CEO and Accountable Manager for Premier Executive Jets. (Jet AOC). Alan has a strong working relationship with Embraer, Dassault, Bombardier, Gulfstream, Airbus, Leonardo, Bell and Sikorsky, having purchased aircraft from each of these manufacturers for resale and leasing.

Peter Costelloe  is the founder of By Appointment DMC which has successfully grown an executive concierge business from Ireland to now being present in five countries across two continents. Peter’s achievements include logistical planning for a vast array of A list celebrities, government officials and the senior decision makers within large multinational companies. Peter has been involved in the logistical support for four U.S. Presidential visits to Ireland and received a personal thank you from President Barack Obama after his trip to Ireland in May 2011.