Big day at the EBAA

opinion

by Alasdair Whyte

July 3, 2025

Holger Krahmer has stepped down as secretary general of the EBAA.

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Last week we saw big changes at the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA). Itself an association for national associations.

Holger Krahmer has stepped down as secretary general of the EBAA. Robert Baltus also resigned as chief operating officer to join Zeusch Aviation, a special missions operator, last month.

There were clues at our Corporate Jet Investor London conference in February that Krahmer was becoming frustrated. “The most challenging thing is managing my board,” said Krahmer on stage in front of more than 500 people (including several members of the EBAA board). “I would wish at times that they were able and willing to accept more change.”

EBAA has already announced an interim MD: Stefan Benz, a well-regarded business aviation industry veteran. Benz spent more than 10 years in senior roles at Jet Aviation and worked at Luxaviation, RUAG Aerospace and MTU Aero Engines. He served on EBAA’s board of governors when he worked at Jet Aviation.

Krahmer, a former Member of the European Parliament (MEP) and car industry lobbyist, joined EBAA in January 2024. He replaced Athar Husain Khan who died in March 2023. As well as lobbying against things like France’s tax on business jet flights, Krahmer and Baltus also had to take over the management of the EBACE show when NBAA sold its 50% stake last year.

Next chapter

“We thank Holger for his contribution. We also thank Robert for his long service and continued commitment during the transition,” said Juergen Wiese, chairman of the EBAA board of governors. “The association retains an excellent team. With Stefan’s appointment, we will marshal to deliver the next chapter of our journey. This will be done at pace and with the full support of the board.”

Baltus joined EBAA in 2017 after a long career in aviation including working at Qatar Executive, EJM and NetJets. He is excited to be returning to an operator. “This new role allows me to work on both strategic and operational matters while still flying occasionally, a perfect combination for me,” Baltus told CJI.

“Over the next six months, I will support Stefan to ensure a smooth handover. After that, I will remain committed to the association, now as an active member. Our industry needs a strong and united association, and I will continue to support that mission.”

Benz will stay as interim MD until the restructuring is finished. “Stefan is high quality, knows EBAA, knows the industry and knows the problems its faces,” said one European operator. “He is one of us.”

A large part of his role will be building relations with national associations – like EBAA France and the German Business Aviation Association. Some of these organisations were unhappy when EBAA looked at changing membership fees. These new fees take effect in 2026.

“The EBAA is a stronger association when working in harmony with its members and collaboratively with the national associations,” said Benz in a statement. “We must remember that our purpose is to protect and grow our industry, a passion that we all share as we move forward.”

Benz now needs to manage associations with his member associations for the European Business Aviation Association.

Meanwhile, read our interview with Krahmer, published in the latest edition of Corporate Jet Investor Quarterly, here.