A Big Step in the Right Direction for Irish Business & General Aviation

15th Jan 2021
Following a very difficult year for everyone involved in Irish aviation, not least in business & 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 & general aviation community & promotes worthwhile opportunities in Irel&. This is exactly why Josh Stewart, Dave Scully, & 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 & 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 15th member association
Established a member-sharing agreement with the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA), which enables IBGAA members to receive full EBAA membership & 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 & 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 & helping the association as it gets off the ground smoothly & 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 & a shared commitment to serving the best interests of our members & community, we can continue to develop Irish business & 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 & international levels. Together, we will strive to contribute to the growth of business & general aviation in Ireland, while supporting ancillary activities that feed off of it, such as hospitality & 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 & general aviation. Yes, we have played a huge role in other aspects of aviation, including leasing & 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 & 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 & will continue to do, as we strengthen long-standing partnerships & build new relationships at government & regulatory levels.

Ireland is now the only English-speaking country left in the EU, &, as a result, we must endeavour to seize upon new opportunities to attract companies who wish to invest & 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, & multiple strategically located national, regional & local airports, along with efficient & hassle-free travel to & 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 & establish the entire island of Ireland as an international powerhouse of business & general aviation. We may be known as the l& of saints & scholars, but we are also an island of aviators & innovators, & it’s about time the world found out.