Holger Krahmer: Driving business aviation ahead

opinion

by Mike Stones

May 12, 2025

Holger Krahmer, EBAA boss wants to put the business back into business aviation.

Holger Krahmer is a man who likes a challenge. He doesn’t choose easy jobs. Take for example, his nearly nine years representing the car industry in Brussels – working for both Opel and Mercedes-Benz, latterly as head of EU Affairs. This was when the car industry was attracting strident criticism about its environmental record and trying to mitigate reputational damage linked to a diesel emissions testing scandal.

If that wasn’t enough stress for one career, Krahmer entered another cockpit of controversy when he took up the role of secretary general of the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) in January last year. He represents a sector serving the world’s second biggest business aviation market after North America. But one facing different problems.

There is the rising tide of regulation – such as France’s new proposed tax on commercial business aviation departures. Then, there is apparently negative public opinion fomented by environmental pressure groups and apparently hostile media platforms eager to report celebrity flights on private jets.

‘A special problem’

Krahmer concedes Europe has “a special problem” compared with other regions of the world. This is partly based on the discussion about social equalities that is not present in the US and other regions.

He says that makes it even more important to explain business aviation’s contribution to economic growth and civil society such as air ambulance and medical flights. “The European business aviation landscape, community and industry is a very good, functional ecosystem,” he tells CJI. “It is predominantly characterised by small and medium companies, with more than 400,000 people working in business aviation in Europe.”

A key objective for Krahmer is to put the business back into business aviation in the minds of European policy makers and an apparently critical public.

“Yes, we are small industry, but we are relevant,” says Krahmer. “And because we are small, from time to time we have to be a little bit louder than the others. Often, we are either criticised or forgotten. In aviation discussions, usually commercial aviation is in the focus.”

If the challenges facing European business aviation are clear, then so are solutions, according to the EBAA boss. He begins with advocacy.

‘A change in our mindset’

“There has been a tendency in the recent years for business aviation not to talk too much about itself,” he says. Don’t hide the business of business aviation but be more careful about choosing images to represent it, he advises. “We have seen publicity about aircraft with luxury interiors and people drinking champagne. There needs to be a change in our mindset to not produce these pictures. To influence public perception of the sector takes time, but it is doable.”

Defining the industry’s business models for politicians and other critical stakeholders is key. “We need to be present in their minds. We need to explain to these new political people why we are here, what is the added value, so defending the business model,” he says.

As well as lobbying, Krahmer is busy working on EBACE – the association’s show in Geneva. He says this year’s event, which will run from May 20-22 without a static aircraft exhibition, will have a different feel from previous events. The 2025 event incorporates new discussion forums and features. “We are testing new concepts and discussing also venues of course,” says Krahmer. “But whatever the changes, it will always remain the right place to meet the right people in business aviation.”

Meanwhile, don’t miss our Big Interview with Krahmer in the next edition of Corporate Jet Investor Quarterly to be published at the EBACE event next week. Sign up for your free edition here.