IBAC celebrating 40th anniversary

The International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) is celebrating its 40th anniversary this month. The organisation was established in September 1981 when six industry associations — the Canadian Business Aviation Association, NBAA, British Business and General Aviation Association, European Business Aviation Association, German Business Aviation Association, and African Business Aviation Association—signed a charter during the annual NBAA convention in California.

IBAC, director general, Kurt Edwards, said: “Much has been accomplished in 40 years for the business aviation community, including establishing IBAC’s presence at ICAO in Montreal as an official observer; developing two recognised global codes of best safety practice: IS-BAO, and IS-BAH; revising Annex 6 Part II of the Chicago Convention; offering aircrew IDs; and leading industry sustainability efforts, including the new carbon credit exchange voluntary offset platform, among others.”

IBAC remains involved as the ICAO Council and Air Navigation Commission resumes their sessions in preparations for the upcoming high-level conference on covid-19 in November and the full 41st ICAO Assembly next year.

Meanwhile, the organisation continues to support the work of the EASA Ground Handling Rulemaking Task Force and grow its own IS-BAH program, which recognised 260 locations as Stage 1 since the program launched in 2014.

As for the IS-BAO programme, the organisation is working with support affiliates to promote a number of SafetyNet webinars, including those presented by MedAire and Polaris.

Looking towards sustainability, IBAC has most recently announcing its alliance with Carbon Trade eXchange (CTX) to offer a carbon offset programme.