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The European Business Aviation Association (EBAA), jointly with the Austrian Business Aviation Association (ABAA), has called on European and national legislative and regulatory authorities to engage in a constructive dialogue with the industry, to design inclusive and ambitious aviation policies for all airspace stakeholders.

During a forum held on Thursday (26th September) at Palais Coburg in Vienna, entitled “Austrian Competitiveness: What Role for Business Aviation?”, EU and national officials together with industry highlighted the significant contribution business aviation makes to the European economy:

• 87 billion euros economic output;
• 374,000 direct and indirect jobs;
• A based fleet: 3,700 aircraft;
• 8% of European traffic;
• 70 medical flights per day.

To unleash the sector’s fullest potential, though, business aviation leaders called on governments to prioritize the creation of comprehensive and inclusive national aviation strategies that enable improved connectivity, efficiency and cohesion across the EU.

Athar Husain Khan, Secretary-General of the EBAA stated: “To continue our contribution to businesses and citizens, and to be able to meet the expectations of future generations, the business aviation industry and national and European officials must work together to draft well-informed, ambitious and practical aviation policies in every Member State, for the sustained growth of Europe.”

Konstantin Essler, Chairman of the ABAA, added that: “Austria can become the most attractive place for business aviation in Europe, providing that all stakeholders, including policymakers, closely cooperate and engage in a constructive dialogue.”

MP Andreas Ottenschlaeger, Transport Committee National Council of Austria, agreed, highlighting that: “Politics has to be a partner for the private sector in developing Austria as a competitive business location.”

Creating an effective aviation strategy

During the forum, industry experts highlighted several challenges within Austria’s existing aviation framework, which echo similar concerns in other EU countries and thus require critical focus:

• Disproportionate regulations treat airline and business aviation operations as if they are one in the same. Austrian legislation does not currently recognize the significant variances between how business aircraft and scheduled airliners are operated and handled. Current regulations for ground handling services are a case in point. The applicable European and National Civil Aviation Regulations should better consider the different nature of business aircraft operation – and thus the different associated risks - compared to scheduled airlines.

• Burdensome bureaucracy and excessive costs for aircraft registration led to a sharp decline in business aircraft registrations between 2008 and 2018 in Austria. The business aviation industry recommends adapted processes for business aircraft registration, phase-in/phase-out and operation in Austria to better suit needs.

• Not all airspace stakeholders in Austria have a seat at the table to co-create safe, fair and effective policies. The business aviation industry is calling on all airspace stakeholders to establish a joint working platform with Austrian policymakers to discuss each segment’s needs and identify priorities for air transport improvements.

BlueSky Business Aviation News | 3rd October 2019 | Issue #527