Business Aviation: Does The Cancellation Of EBACE Signal A Crisis In The Sector?

For more than twenty years, the Geneva event structured European business aviation, bringing together an average of nearly 400 exhibitors and 12,000 industry professionals in the halls of Palexpo. Last year, EBACE had already begun a shift, operating solely under the management of the EBAA (European Business Aviation Association) and removing the static aircraft display. In September 2024, its long-standing partner, the NBAA (National Business Aviation Association), withdrew from co-organizing the event— a disengagement widely interpreted as a warning sign of the show’s decline.

The twenty-fifth edition of EBACE was scheduled to take place from June 2 to 4. Its cancellation, just two months before opening, has significantly weakened the association. Its president, Charles Aguettant, admits: “There was a lack of enthusiasm for the show; a decision had to be made in consultation with a number of exhibitors.” Frustrated, he told Luxury Tribune that the industry showed insufficient support and a lack of transparency regarding manufacturers’ expectations, leading, in his view, to the show’s slow demise. “EBACE was the only major event organized by the industry itself; all revenues were reinvested into the sector,” he emphasized, clearly unsettled by the situation.

Charles Aguettant regrets that some players are “no longer playing the game” and, in some cases, have even organized their own events alongside the show without bearing the associated costs. He also points to a lack of local support, particularly regarding security following activist disruptions during recent editions. “Geneva was the ideal city,” he insists, citing its strategic location and suitable infrastructure—a city that, after losing its motor show, now sees another of its flagship events disappear.

Caught in a difficult position, the EBAA has had to rethink its economic model: 75% of its revenue now comes from membership fees and 25% from events. “Nearly three years ago, we anticipated declining interest in EBACE by reforming our membership structure. The problem is that if manufacturers no longer want to pay—neither for membership nor for the show—the EBAA risks collapse,” he warns. Still, he acknowledges: “There is a trend toward more personalized events—that’s a fact. But the real question is: does our industry still need a business aviation trade show in Europe?”

In Friedrichshafen, on the shores of Lake Constance, the AERO trade show—covering general aviation, including business aviation—organized by the private German company Fairnamic GmbH, has emerged as a compelling alternative. The 2026 edition, which closed on April 25, recorded strong attendance with around 37,000 visitors, 860 exhibitors, and 550 accredited media representatives. “The business aviation exhibition center (Halls A1, A2, A3, Static Display, and DOME) brought together a total of 299 exhibitors, making it one of the most dynamic segments of the show,” a spokesperson said shortly after the event.

Major players such as Bombardier, Textron Aviation, Daher, and Cirrus unveiled their latest launches for the European market there. Philippe Meyer, an aviation consultant based in Geneva, explains: “AERO offered a more flexible solution, nearly four times cheaper, and better aligned with audience expectations.” According to him, EBACE’s cancellation is not a surprise but rather a reflection of underlying skepticism, already visible last year in the empty aisles of Palexpo: “The show was extremely expensive, and manufacturers did not always see a return on investment. Activists delivered the final blow, but in any case, the format no longer met expectations.”