National Business Aviation Association : Expert Panel Decodes Challenges and Opportunities in Aviation

Saturday, March 30, 2024

A distinguished panel of experts delved into key considerations within the ever-evolving global aviation landscape for an audience comprising over 500 professionals at the National Business Aviation Association’s (NBAA’s) International Operators Conference (IOC2024) in Orlando, FL, from March 26 – 28.

The conference, attended by delegates from 17 countries and 40 U.S. states, provided valuable insights into critical issues facing international aviation. These ranged from geopolitical shifts and heightened awareness of emerging security risks both on the ground and in the skies, to the varying operational demands across different regions and nations, among other focal points.

“This year’s conference reached a new altitude in bringing the industry together to remain on top of an ever-changing global aviation landscape, with insights from leaders in the field, dedicated sessions with actionable intelligence and peer-to-peer learning opportunities unavailable at any other industry event,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “Attendees have come away informed and inspired about the opportunities on the world stage.”

An Inspiring Address

This year’s conference adopted the theme “Aviate and Communicate – Bringing Inspiration to Your International Operations,” perfectly setting the stage for a motivating keynote speech by Ron Mumm, a former military fighter pilot and commander of the renowned U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds aerial demonstration team.

Mumm, with his extensive experience leading business aviation operations for major global corporations, seamlessly intertwined anecdotes from his flying career with valuable insights about the significance of inclusivity in teamwork. “Embracing everyone poses the challenge of ensuring each individual’s voice is heard while simultaneously enhancing the collective effort,” remarked Mumm. Dive deeper into the IOC2024 keynote session here.

An Urgent Appeal for Action

The event also saw industry leaders issuing a compelling call to action on two critical advocacy fronts.

Darryl Young, the director of trip support at AEG Fuels, took center stage to highlight imminent government plans to impose burdensome new taxes and IRS audits on business aviation. Attendees were urged to voice their concerns on Capitol Hill through NBAA’s call to action.

Young was joined by Mark McIntyre, Director of Flight Operations at Mente, Nancy Bsales, COO of sustainability at 4AIR, and Bas de Bruijn, senior director of aviation at Dell Technologies, to discuss CLIMBING. FAST, a new advocacy campaign showcasing business aviation’s commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Young and de Bruijn encouraged attendees to visit the campaign’s website, get informed, and help promote the industry’s sustainability initiatives.

Resources and Recognition

This year’s IOC introduced a valuable new resource, the “International Flight Plan Format Guide,” designed to assist operators in complying with diverse flight plan requirements from the FAA, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and foreign regulators. Explore NBAA’s New International Flight Plan Format Guide.

Moreover, the event was an opportunity to acknowledge excellence within the industry, as McIntyre from Mente and Shawn Scott, co-founder of Scott International Procedures, were honored with the Guy Gribble IOC Appreciation Award for their dedicated service to NBAA’s International Operators Committee. Learn more about the Guy Gribble IOC Appreciation Award. The committee also recognized several recipients of business aviation professional development scholarships. Discover more about this year’s recipients.

A Series of Successful Events

NBAA’s 2024 International Operators Conference was part of a string of highly successful events on the business aviation calendar this year, including the association’s largest-ever Regional Forum in Miami Opa-locka on January 31; NBAA’s record-breaking Leadership Conference in Palm Springs, CA on February 8; and the immensely successful NBAA Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference held in Fort Worth, TX from March 12-14.

For those unable to attend IOC2024, virtual education sessions are now available online. The 2025 International Operators Conference is scheduled for February 11-13 in San Juan, PR.

Established in 1947 and headquartered in Washington, DC, the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) stands as the foremost organization for companies leveraging general aviation aircraft to enhance their operational efficiency and success. Representing over 10,000 company and professional members, NBAA offers a diverse range of products and services to the business aviation community, including the NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE), the world’s largest civil aviation trade show. Learn more about NBAA at nbaa.org.

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