Business Aviation Today

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uU5MX8tpbY
I invite you to take a look on YouTube at the latest FC Video shot at the NBAA 2010 Convention, for a nice overview of where business aviation stands today.

Empty legs

Sector                                             Date           Aircraft

London - Nice     EGGW - LFMN 11th June    Gulfstream 550 Seats: 16 / YOM JAN 07

Nice Iraklion        LFMN - LGIR    11th June –
                                                       12th June    Challenger 604 Seats: 9  /  YOM DEC 03

Berlin - Hannover EDDT - EDDV   11th June    Learjet 40        Seats: 6  /  YOM SEP 08

Aircraft at destinations

Location               Date                                                            Aircraft

Luxor HELX        11th June (afternoon) – 13th June (morning) Airbus A319 CJ Seats: 46 / YOM 99
Geneva LSGG     15th June – 17th June                                   Gulfstream 550 Seats: 16 / YOM JAN 07
Munich EDDM    14th June – 17th June                                   Challenger 604 Seats: 9 / YOM NOV 04
Stuttgart EDDS    10th June – 12th June                                   Legacy Seats: 13 / YOM FEB 06
Munich EDDM    10th June – 16th June                                   Dornier Jet Seats: 12 / YOM JUN 00
Hannover EDDV 12th June – 14th June                                    Learjet 40 Seats: 6 / YOM SEP 08

We look forward to welcome your passengers onboard our aircraft.

Charter Sales
DC Aviation Limited
Phone: +356 21 373546
Fax: +356 21 371808
Mobile: +356 99 445555
chartersalesmla[@]dc-aviation.com.mt

Ebace 20 - 22 May - Geneva

Europe’s leading companies continue to find the competitive advantage that is gained through the use of Business Aviation, Europe’s engine for growth. European companies are prospering as their employees overcome distances between various locations throughout Europe (and the world), save time in congested airports, maintain security and optimize their time when they must travel to grow business. EBACE2008, in Geneva May 20, 21, 22, is the flagship forum for the European business aviation community to find products and services from the world’s top vendors. Also at EBACE, the European regulators and government officials who make decisions that directly affect business aviation operations in Europe and around the world meet face to face with the companies who are using aviation to facilitate their business. EXHIBIT/SHOW HOURS: TUESDAY, MAY 20 10h00 – 18h00 Exhibits in Halls 5, 6 and 7, and Static Display of Aircraft Open WEDNESDAY, MAY 21 09h00 – 17h00 Exhibits in Halls 5, 6 and 7, and Static Display of Aircraft Open THURSDAY, MAY 22 Exhibits in Halls 5, 6 and 7 Open 09h00 – 16h00 Static Display of Aircraft Open 09h00 – 15h00 We will be at EBACE from the 20th to the 22nd May, anyone who would like to meet to discuss, future trips to Malta, the potential of the Maltese register and AOC, feel free to drop me a line. In the meantime I will try to post some notes on my experiences at the show, while in Geneva.

EBACE 20 - 22 May Geneva, Switzerland

EBACE is the most important European business aviation event, and is held every year in Geneva, Switzerland. The event is set in an extensive exhibition space with stands for all the major international partners in business aviation in ‘Geneva PALEXPO’, located right next to Geneva international airport. In addition, an extensive open-air exhibition is also mounted on airport land. On the fringes of EBACE, numerous briefings, press conferences and workshops are also held in the adjoining conference facilities. EBACE 2008 – the place to be for anyone interested in this extremely fast-growing aviation sector – will be held this year from Tuesday 20 to Thursday 22 May. As in previous years, we will be visting at the fair.

EBACE can thus be regarded as a key European contact point for the ever-growing business aviation activities. We find that EBACE is a very good place to meet new potential customers, operators and get a better feel of concerns and upcoming buzz in this market. One can find more info at www.ebace.aero.

Any one interested in a one to one meeting on the advantages of operating, registering and managing a business jet from Malta is welcome to set an appointment. Simply drop us an e-mail on info@sierra-aviation.com.

GAMA RELEASES FIRST QUARTER SHIPMENTS

Yesterday, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) announced first quarter shipment and billings figures. Total industry billings were up 16.1 percent to $5.3 billion, an all-time high for the first quarter, while total shipments were down by 7.5 percent."This past quarter's overall industry billings remain impressive, with the turbine segments showing dramatic increases. The trend of increasing market share occurring outside of North America continues for most manufacturers. It is apparent, however, that current uncertainty in the U.S. economy is having an affect on some of the offerings in the piston spectrum of aircraft,” said Pete Bunce, GAMA president and CEO. “Last year, 67 percent of piston deliveries were to the North American market, making this segment the most susceptible to softness in the U.S. economy. However, as worldwide markets continue to expand, we see more capability to insulate manufacturers from the economic dynamics of any one specific region."Piston-powered airplane shipments totaled 399 units compared to 554 units delivered in the first quarter of 2007, a 28.0 percent decrease. Turboprop shipments increased from 79 units in the first quarter last year to 85 units in 2008. Business jet shipments totaled 297 units in the first quarter of 2008, a remarkable 40.8 percent increase over the 211 units delivered in the first quarter of 2007. FIRST QUARTER SHIPMENTS OF AIRPLANES MANUFACTURED WORLDWIDE

Aircraft Category	2007	2008	CHANGE
Pistons	554	399	-28.0%
Turboprops	79	85	+7.6%
Business Jets	211	297	+40.8%
Total Shipments	844	781	-7.5%

GAMA is an international trade association headquartered in Washington, DC representing over 60 of the world's leading manufacturers of general aviation aircraft, engines, avionics and related equipment. GAMA's members also operate fleets of aircraft, fixed based operations, and pilot training and maintenance training facilities. For additional information, visit GAMA’s website at http://www.gama.aero/.

Airlines vs Business Aviation

Boeing have admitted to a furher delay with the delivery of their first Dreamliner, now scheduled for the last quarter of 2009. Low Cost carriers seem to be hitting financial difficulties, the FAA investigation in maintenance procedures of some of the major US carriers have resulted in more than 1,500 scheduled flight cancellations. With the air of doom and gloom, the US and possibly even the UK heading towards an economic slowdown possibly even a mild recession, the airline industry is surely not going through a rosy period. On the other hand, business aviation seem to be continuing to experience growth, especially in Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Farnborough predominantly business aviation airport, increasing movements, Embraer recently launching new business jets, Lufhansa purchasing business jets and setting up their own corporate aircraft wing. Jet Alliance experiencing growth through their Austrian airlines partnership. So what is happening? The aviation industry is a heavily regulated industry and requires huge amounts of capital to set-up and maintain an operation. New equipment has not exaclty become cheaper, the oil crisis has not really aided the industry, and as ticket prices became cheaper, it was in my opinion inevitable that the airline industry would struggle. As the major hubs became more congested, unprofitable routes dropped, new security measures at all major airports resulting in long queues and discomfort for the frequent traveller, the continued economic growth of the Asian markets, all this provided a platform for the growth of the business aviation. As more users afforded, and this is a key word, afforded, to buy business jets, the operating costs, even with the increase in oil prices, came down, this is especially true in Europe and Asia. This made a business jet charter flight more affordable to more high net worth individuals and corporations. The major difference between the airline industry and business aviation are the end users, the end user is not shopping around for the cheap ticket, forcing the airline to operate with negative margins, but the corporate jet user either affords the business jet or queues at Heathrow's spanking new so far dysfunctional Terminal 5, or with struggling Alitalia. The airlines problems are the business aviation strengths; SAVING EMPLOYEE TIME. Business aircraft can have longer ranges, flying non-stop between airports, which the end user wants to go to, not that the airline chooses, based on slots, costs, etc. Flying into London City, a short drive or helicopter flight from that meeting. INCREASING PRODUCTIVITY EN-ROUTE. Rather than writing off travelling time, studies have shown productivity on business aircraft is actually higher than in the office. Choosing with whom you fly allows for onboard meetings. EFFICIENT, RELIABLE SCHEDULING. The near total flexibility inherent in business aircraft is a powerful asset. Business determines the schedule - not the airlines. REDUCING HOURS AWAY FROM THE OFFICE AND HOME. Both business and the individual benefit when family time is not lost to non-productive travel. ENSURING INDUSTRIAL SECURITY. Use of business aircraft reduces travel visibility and eliminates unwanted and unnecessary interruptions. HIGH PERSONAL SAFETY, in a society threatened by terrorism, choosing whom you fly with has become of significant importance. INCREASING ENTERPRISE. Business aircraft allow opportunities especially those in remote regions to be more readily considered and acted upon. Studies have put access to business aircraft in the top three drivers for business relocation decisions. PROJECTING A POSITIVE CORPORATE IMAGE. As studies continue to show increased profits for corporations using business jets, we are now experiencing a scenario where using a business aircraft shows a company to be progressive with a keen interest in efficient time management and high levels of productivity. As long as the economic slowdown does not significantly impact mainland Europe, as long as the economic growth in countries such as Russia, China and India is maintained, I expect business aviation to stay on course and continue to grow.

Business Aviation Articles

1. Embraer Legacy will be visting Malta
2. Embraer Demos Legacy 600 in Malta
3. First Business Jet Manufacturer Visits Malta
4. Why Charter a Business Jet?
5. History of Maltese Business Aviation
6. Airlines vs Business Aviation
7. Tax Implications in Biz Aviation
8. GAMA RELEASES FIRST QUARTER SHIPMENTS
9. EBACE 20 - 22 May Geneva, Switzerland
10. DC Aviation will be exhibiting at MEBA, Dubai 16-18 November 2008