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When many of the key figures and dealmakers of the industry gather late next month in Geneva, Switzerland, two of the most prolific private jet makers will not have aircraft displays at Europe's premier business aviation event.
Neither Bombardier nor Gulfstream will exhibit at EBACE this year, an NBAA spokesperson told GlobalAir.com.
Gulfstream and Bombardier both have healthy book-to-bill backlogs as they market a new line of ultra-long-range private jets. For Bombardier, that would be the record-breaking Global 7500 and Global 8000, and for Gulfstream the recently FAA-certified G700 and the G800, which is next in line to clear regulatory red tape.
While these jets would be must-see attractions for attendees of EBACE, even when the aircraft manufacturers have brought the popular planes to shows, the exhibitors have been restrictive about who can even cross the velvet ropes to get a closer look at them.
"Companies make decisions based on their business goals and priorities, and we respect their decision," Dan Hubbard, NBAA senior vice president of communications, told GlobalAir.com in an email response on Friday.
Gulfstream skipped NBAA-BACE in 2021 and 2023, opting not to fly to Las Vegas but the company made the trip for the show in Orlando in 2022. Ahead of the 2021 event, Gulfstream unveiled its latest aircraft models during a COVID-era webcast from its Savannah, Georgia headquarters.
The G800 made its European debut last year at EBACE, as did Bombardier's Challenger 3500.
RELATED STORIES:Gulfstream G700 earns additional FAA certifications Bombardier Global 7500 sets over 30 speed records Gulfstream Aerospace to skip NBAA-BACE (Fall 2023) BizAv highlights from EBACE 2023 Environmental protesters storm EBACE opening dayProtesters in Europe have targeted business aviation events, including EBACE last year. A group of around 100 activists crashed the party, disrupting air traffic for an hour and blocking the main entrance to the show. Four people, including activists and private security staff, were injured, according to reports, and around 80 people were arrested.There are no indications that last year's disruption, or the political climate in Europe overall, played any role in the decision by Gulfstream and Bombardier to sit out. And even in their absence, there will still be plenty of informative and entertaining options for the many who do attend, Hubbard said."Registration just opened, and we're planning for a full exhibit floor, first-time announcements from companies, keynote remarks from top government officials at a time when important policy developments are taking shape, and timely discussions about the industry's most important issues: innovation, sustainability, safety and workforce development," he said.
A big focus of this year's event will be on the future of aviation and next-generation aircraft.
For the first time at EBACE this year, advanced air mobility companies will be showcased in the exhibit hall and outdoors, including an Innovation Pavilion featuring VoltAero's Cassio 330, an electric-hybrid transport vehicle. Other AAM companies displaying models include Beyond Aero, ELECTRON, Hydroplane Limited, Lilium, and Vaeridion.RELATED STORY: EBACE2024 to highlight advanced air mobility for first time"We are excited about an opportunity to gather for a safe, secure and successful show," Hubbard said.