Working together

Gulfstream Aerospace, principal sponsor of the second edition of The Irish Business and General Aviation Association’s (IBGAA) annual conference on 1 November will be revisiting business aviation’s significant progress on sustainability by moderating a panel session titled, ‘Navigating aviation’s dynamic path to efficiency and sustainability.’

The panel of representatives to drive this important discussion will include Kennedy Ricci, President at 4Air; Stewart D’Leon, Director of Environmental and Technical Operations at the USA’s National Business Aviation Association; Alexander Kuper, Vice President, EMEA of Neste and Nicola-Jane Sellers, Group Sustainability Manager at Luxaviation Group.

“The goal of the industry is to achieve net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050. Sharing the undisputable progress we have made so far is vastly important as we continue to tackle this complex issue,” said Charles Etter, Technical Fellow at Gulfstream.

IBGAA is putting this topic front and centre for the second year, amid calls for operators and executive aircraft owners to be more visible in their efforts to demonstrate measurable improvements in operational sustainability.  That can be carbon offsetting, book and claim, increased use of SAF, which is becoming more widely available.

“We are very pleased to welcome Gulfstream back as our principal sponsor. We are gearing up for a diverse and interesting event packed with hot topics and plenty of networking opportunities across the business aviation and ultra-luxe tourism industries.  All in the most stunning of settings at the award-winning prestigious gold resort, Adare Manor,” said Joe Buckley, IBGAA Founding Executive Director.

Ireland’s Minister of State for Transport, Environment, Climate and Communications, Jack Chambers, will deliver the opening keynote.

IBGAA is looking forward to taking a global view of the industry with leaders from around the world, moderated by Doug Carr, Senior Vice President, Safety, Security, Sustainability & Internal Operations at NBAA. Panel members will include: Robert Baltus, COO of the European Business Aviation Association; Kevin Ducksbury, chair of The Air Charter Association; Kurt Edwards, DG of IBAC and special guest, Ali Alnaqbi, founding Chairman of the Middle East Business Aviation Association and Chair of the IBAC Governing Board.  His comments will be especially noteworthy, coming just ahead of the Dubai Air Show next month.

IBGAA’s Chair Josh Stewart will explore opportunities for business aviation in Ireland and why, as a world-renowned aircraft leasing epicentre, it’s a smart choice for establishing a business.   Picking up this thread, the event will also address positioning Ireland to capitalize on future growth. There will also be a session on crisis management led by Michael O’Keeffe, CEO at Teneo.

IGBAA is looking forward to welcoming 150 industry delegates to the conference from senior decision makers in business aviation, with its audience of corporate jet operators, private aircraft owners, charter users from various sectors (MICE, sport and entertainment), tourism, airport and luxury hoteliers.

The full day event concludes with a gala dinner, for the second year, sponsored by JetCraft.

Ranked Conde Nast Readers’ Top Resort in the world (2022-2023) Adare Manor offers its guests an exceptional experience.

Registrations still available at:

https://col.eventsair.com/ibgaa-2023/registration/Site/Register

Editor’s notes

The Irish Business and General Aviation Association was formed in September 2020 with members including leading Irish resort venues and lifestyle brands.  It has since grown to 33 members.

Its board comprises:

Josh Stewart, Founding Chairman of IBGAA, Founder & CEO of XJet® and Robusto Capital, IBGAA Representative on the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) Governing Board 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.

Keith 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.

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.

Brian Tuohy, I joined ACASS on December 1^st, where I have taken over from Russ Allchorne, trying to absorb as much wisdom as possible before he departs to CAE as Training delivery manager. It is a real privilege to take over from Russ and having the opportunity to learn from a true expert. Prior to ACASS, I worked for GainJet on their charter aircraft. Before that, I worked for Emirates, Norwegian, Ryanair, and TUI. I am a lifelong learner and have experience as a TRE/TRI with Ryanair. I took a dip into the academic world and completed a BSc in aviation technology and a Ba in Business and management in aviation. I am currently completing a professional diploma in Airworthiness management at the University of Limerick. I live in Shannon with my wife and daughters. When I’m not keeping busy with flying, you can find me learning how to build walls, operating a JCB and welding. If I can escape the DIY, you’ll find me on the Golf Course with similar results to operating the JCB.

Colin Dunne joined Jetcraft in 2019 as a Sales Manager supporting the Northern European and Middle East regions before being promoted to Sales Director in 2023. ​In his current role, he leads sales initiatives in the US Midwest. Since joining Jetcraft, Colin has supported over $1bn worth of aircraft transactions, using modern day sales and marketing strategies to successfully build and maintain relationships and ultimately negotiate and close aircraft transactions. ​Prior to Jetcraft, Colin held roles across the aerospace, energy, and construction industries in a mix of engineering, project management and business development capacities, including a two-year tenure working with aircraft owners, airlines, lessors and MROs at AerData/Boeing.​ Colin holds an Engineering Degree from Trinity College Dublin, an MBA from UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School Dublin and a Certificate in Aviation Leasing and Finance. Colin is originally from Dublin, Ireland and is now based in Chicago, Illinois having recently relocated from Jetcraft’s London HQ.

Wayne Pollock is founder and CEO of WP Exclusive Luxury, a very private and discreet luxury travel and lifestyle management consultancy with UHNW clients across the globe. For over 35 years, Wayne has led the business to achieving more industry awards than any other UK independent consultancy in this specialist niche. With clients ranging from Hollywood A listers to captains of industry, his reputation, whilst below the radar publicly, is highly respected by the leaders in high-end travel, hospitality, private aviation, luxury yachts, private islands, and global property. Wayne enjoys enduring relationships with the owners and managers of the best of the best across the globe which he has meticulously forged over almost four decades. It is these relationships, that money cannot buy, that enable him and his team to provide a highly personal, bespoke, and incomparable service to a very select clientele who demand the ultimate in the use of their precious time in both business and leisure. From unforgettable rustic five-star culture experiences to lavish seven-star luxury, WPEL are the best kept secret for those who want the highest levels of integrity, discretion and professionalism backed by the sort of hands-on experience and knowledge that is unashamedly unique in the industry.

Philip Bartlett is the Chief Technical Officer for Shannon Technical Services, a global technical services provider for aircraft owners, lessors and airlines and is based in Shannon, Ireland. Philip began his aviation career as an Avionic Apprentice with Aer Lingus in 1990. During this time, he gained significant experience in a wide area of the airline maintenance and engineering environment including helping to restore the Iolar, a De Havilland DH84 Dragon. Based in Toulouse for a period of time he was responsible for the technical delivery management of several Airbus aircraft to the airline. In more recent times he has held both maintenance manager and CAMO manager nominated post holder positions for a significant Irish corporate jet operator utilising both business jet and helicopter types. In addition, Philip has spent time as an EASA Part 21 Design Engineer and EASA Part 147 Technical Instructor. He was also involved in the importation and continuing airworthiness management of the first aircraft, an Embraer Lineage 1000, to be entered on the Irish EJ aircraft register in 2018. As a Technical Operations Manager for Nordic Aviation Capital, he gained a perspective of the regional aircraft leasing business including managing aircraft deliveries and returns, to and from various international airlines. Now part of the Shannon Technical Services senior leadership team he has established the CAMO department which holds EASA, Cayman Island, Bermudan and Bailiwick of Guernsey continuing airworthiness and Airworthiness Review authority approvals for a wide range of regional, commercial, and corporate aircraft including several helicopter types.

Sean Raftery has more than 40 years of aviation experience, including over 25 with Universal Weather and Aviation, Inc. Based in Stansted, United Kingdom, Sean was previously in the Royal Air Force where he worked in air traffic control. In 2002, he was appointed Managing Director of Universal Aviation U.K. – London-Stansted and in 2010 took on the additional responsibilities as Managing Director of Ireland. Under Sean’s leadership, Universal Aviation U.K. – London-Stansted and Universal Aviation Ireland, with FBO locations at Dublin and Shannon, have continued to grow and add new services, including the UK based European Operations Centre. Sean has also been instrumental in Universal Aviation continuing to upgrade its facilities including project management of the complete refurbishment of Universal Aviation U.K. – London-Stansted and the remodeling of Universal Aviation Shannon. In 2020 Universal Aviation opened up at RAF Northolt and Sean took further responsibility as Universal’s Director for northern Europe. Well respected within the business aviation industry, Sean has worked closely with government officials to develop and implement industry leading practices and was highly instrumental in influencing the U.K. government for fairer and better immigration procedures for visiting business jet passengers.

For further information:

Joe.Buckley@ibgaa.com

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On behalf of Josh Stewart (Founding Chairman), Dave Scully (Founding Vice-Chairman), and Joe Buckley (Founding Executive Director), we would like to welcome you to ibgaa.com: the official website of The Irish Business & General Aviation Association.

ibgaa.com is a collaborative online platform, which keeps our members and the wider business and general aviation community updated on relevant IBGAA and industry-related news and announcements. It is also a reliable source for important information on national, European, and international industry developments, as well as useful data and statistics.

IBGAA is an association created by the community for the community, and we value the input of all members. This also applies to our website, so if you have any feedback, questions, or queries, or if you wish to find out more about IBGAA membership, please do not hesitate to email us at info@ibgaa.com.

Following a very difficult year for everyone involved in Irish aviation, not least in business and general aviation, I am delighted to be able to kick off 2021 on an extremely positive note with the launch of ibgaa.com – a big step in the right direction as we rebuild our industry.

There has long been a need for an Irish representative association in our industry, a platform that unites the business and general aviation community and promotes worthwhile opportunities in Ireland. This is exactly why Josh Stewart, Dave Scully, and I felt compelled to co-found IBGAA. Over the past six months, we have worked together to put solid foundations in place for the establishment of a non-profit national association that ensures business and general aviation’s economic potential is maximised in Ireland.

Before launching ibgaa.com, we took the following important steps to make sure the association was well-positioned to go from strength to strength from the very beginning:

• Secured IBGAA’s official acceptance into the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) as its 15^th member association
• Established a member-sharing agreement with the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA), which enables IBGAA members to receive full EBAA membership and benefit from representation at European level, at no additional cost
• Joined the Council of European Business Aviation Associations (CEBAA)

I can proudly confirm that we have also put together an advisory board of like-minded professionals who have very strong regulatory backgrounds and extensive industry knowledge. Each member of this passionate group is committed to playing his/her part in driving our collective vision forward, while proactively guiding and helping the association as it gets off the ground smoothly and gains altitude.

We are not only aware of the issues our sector is facing, but we are also determined to work together to overcome the challenges that lie ahead, as we navigate safely through the severe turbulence caused by the current pandemic. Through collaboration and a shared commitment to serving the best interests of our members and community, we can continue to develop Irish business and general aviation for the better.

Now, more than ever, is the right time to launch IBGAA, an outward-looking, all-Ireland association, which represents our industry at national and international levels. Together, we will strive to contribute to the growth of business and general aviation in Ireland, while supporting ancillary activities that feed off of it, such as hospitality and tourism. In doing so, we can further establish Ireland, not only as a great destination to visit, but also a vital European business hub.

I believe that Ireland has not fully capitalised on business and general aviation. Yes, we have played a huge role in other aspects of aviation, including leasing and commercial aviation; however, in terms of business aviation, the Irish industry’s potential is still largely untapped. We can do so much more internationally, as well as within Ireland, where there are considerable growth opportunities.

In order to achieve sustainable success, though, it is vital that we give our members’ a voice and actively engage with the Irish government, demonstrating just how important our industry is to the national economy. This is exactly what the IBGAA Board of Directors is doing and will continue to do, as we strengthen long-standing partnerships and build new relationships at government and regulatory levels.

Ireland is now the only English-speaking country left in the EU, and, as a result, we must endeavour to seize upon new opportunities to attract companies who wish to invest and do business in an English-speaking, European environment. We can offer easy access to MNCs’ European headquarters, one of the lowest corporate tax rates in Europe, and multiple strategically located national, regional and local airports, along with efficient and hassle-free travel to and from the USA by utilising Shannon Airport’s CBP preclearance services.

I am confident that, by coming together as one national association with a shared vision for our industry’s future, we can have a massively positive impact on Irish economic development and establish the entire island of Ireland as an international powerhouse of business and general aviation. We may be known as the land of saints and scholars, but we are also an island of aviators and innovators, and it’s about time the world found out.