
EBACE Geneva to cut static display from show
The European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (EBACE) to be held May 20 to 22 in Geneva will not include a static display of aircraft for the first time in its 24-year history. Show organizer European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) announced the decision last week, saying it is part of a wider strategy for “redefining” the annual event. According to the organizers EBACE25 will instead concentrate on delivering conference content and maximising networking opportunities for attendees, exhibitors, sponsors and the media. Holger Krahmer, Secretary General at EBAA, said: “2025 marks a transitional year as EBAA takes on the running of EBACE and we have an exciting vision for the show’s future. Whilst there will be no static display this year, we are actively exploring opportunities for the future to be as flexible as possible in meeting the ever-changing needs of our industry.” EBACE25 will see the integration of its AIROPS conference for the first time, as well as the return of the Innovation Zone, for startup companies.
EBAA-GAMA study warns of EU bizjets flight restriction costs
A Oxford Economics study, commissioned by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) and European Business Aviation Association (EBAA), underscored business aviation’s role in European connectivity. But proposals by EU regulators to cap short-haul flights and place slot restrictions on business aviation in certain airports would make Europe a less attractive destination for doing business, according to the study, “The Socio-economic Benefits of Business Aviation in Europe.”
While acknowledging the need to reduce the environmental footprint of aviation, the study said these restrictive regulations could lead to troubling outcomes, including decreased business aviation activity that would cut Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in EU member states by €76 billion to €120 billion by 2030 and reduce foreign-controlled entities (FCEs) direct employment in the EU by 57,000 to 104,000 by 2030. The study said the employment fallout would be mostly felt in Germany, Italy and Poland. "Targeting business aviation with restrictions and unfair regulatory burdens, like the exclusion from the EU Taxonomy framework, risks thousands of jobs by 2030. We should move away from the ban mentality and focus on policies that support innovation, decarbonisation, and competitiveness," said Holger Krahmer, Secretary General, EBAA. In 2023, at the EU-level, only 0.8% of all aviation emissions or 0.04% of overall CO2 emissions were attributed to business aviation. This was driven by around 400,000 flights departing 1,100 European airports for flights averaging 800km.
Boom achieves supersonic flight
Boom, the American company building what promises to be the world’s fastest airliner, broke the sound barrier for its first time with a test flight in Mojave, California, on January 28. Flown by Boom Chief Test Pilot Tristan “Geppetto” Brandenburg, XB-1 reached an altitude of 35,290 feet before accelerating to Mach 1.122 (652 KTAS or 750 mph). Historically, supersonic aircraft have been the work of nation states, developed by militaries and governments. XB-1’s supersonic flight marks the first time an independently developed jet has broken the sound barrier. “A small band of talented and dedicated engineers has accomplished what previously took governments and billions of dollars. Next, we are scaling up the technology on XB-1 for the Overture supersonic airliner. Our ultimate goal is to bring the benefits of supersonic flight to everyone,” said Boom Supersonic founder and CEO Blake Scholl. Overture has an order book of 130 orders and pre-orders from American Airlines, United Airlines, and Japan Airlines. Overture and its bespoke propulsion system, Symphony, are designed to run on up to 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
People: NBAA welcomes Chris Rocheleau’s selection as FAA acting administrator

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) welcomes the announcement, made last week by President Donald Trump, that Chris Rocheleau has been appointed acting administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Rocheleau will serve as acting FAA administrator until Trump’s selected nominee is confirmed by the Senate as the next permanent administrator. “Chris is an outstanding leader who will be good for the FAA, good for aviation and good for the country, especially at this challenging time,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “He has demonstrated excellence at every level in the government, military and aviation industry.” Rocheleau comes to the FAA after serving the past three years as NBAA chief operating officer. Prior to joining NBAA in 2022, Rocheleau held multiple roles at the FAA over his more than 20 years with the agency. He served as acting associate administrator for aviation safety, chief of staff, assistant administrator for policy, international affairs and environment, executive director for international affairs and director of the office of emergency operations and investigations. Before his time at the FAA, Rocheleau served as an officer and special agent with the United States Air Force (USAF), retiring from the USAF Reserve in 2010 as a lieutenant colonel. He was also among the first leaders of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), serving as the manager of TSA’s Intelligence Operations Watch and as the senior policy adviser to the assistant administrator for transportation policy. Rocheleau holds a bachelor’s degree from Central Connecticut State University and a Master of Public Administration from City University of Seattle. He has completed the Executive National Security Program at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, USAF Air Command and Staff College, and the Corporate Aviation Program at the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business.
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