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Two years after taking sole control of its signature event and after a scramble to reconfigure its footprint, the European Business Aviation Association announced on Friday, just under two months before it was to kick off, that EBACE 2026 will not happen.
Historically, the event known as Europe's largest for bizav is no longer on the 2026 calendar.
The EBAA rolled out a plan in December to relocate its static aircraft display in Geneva and reconfigure its layout, along with other tweaks and updates to spur networking and build excitement.
"We are giving exhibitors the freedom to build the kind of premium, private environment they need for their customers," CEO Stefan Benz said at the time.
A statement released on Friday from the EBAA board outlined what the group had hoped to achieve and lamented that they did not expect it to pan out as they had envisioned.
"For the 2026 edition, EBAA introduced a further series of changes intended to respond to those developments and renew the event. These included the planned return of the static display in a reimagined format, a stronger focus on operators, new networking opportunities, including an operator lounge, and a cost structure designed to better reflect exhibitor and attendee expectations, the board stated. "Despite these efforts, it became clear that the EBACE26 format did not generate the momentum needed to deliver a viable edition of the event. … This will also allow the Association to focus its efforts and resources on its core mission and to step up its work on shaping the initiatives, platforms and forms of engagement that best meet the needs of its members and those of Europe's business aviation community."
Read the full statement on the EBACE website.Such an abrupt announcement, just 53 days from launch, certainly has thrown a wrench into the plans of those who had already invested in marketing, booked hotels and planned flights.
"This is a difficult decision, and one that has not been taken lightly. We know it will cause disappointment, particularly for exhibitors, partners and participants who had committed to this year's event and placed their trust in it," the statement read. "However, the Board believes this is the most responsible course of action."
EBACE has faced unique headwinds and turbulence in the post-pandemic economy. Public sentiment toward private flight in Europe has faced stronger political pressure than peers in the Americas or Asia, and constraints from the Russian invasion of Ukraine, among additional geopolitical turmoil, have placed a ceiling on flight activity more intensely than in most other places, aside from the Middle East.
The event, however, is not alone in the challenges it has faced. Aircraft manufacturers, well-fed on multi-year, pandemic-spawned order backlogs, have been less inclined to fly to conventions for displays, as deals get done on the spot and on their own, suppressing the need to fuel the tanks and roll out the pilots for trips to Geneva or Las Vegas alike.
"At a time when business aviation continues to face political, regulatory and reputational pressure, EBAA's role remains as important as ever," the board stated. "The association will continue to act on behalf of its members by creating opportunities for engagement, advancing their interests before European institutions and policymakers, and ensuring that Europe's business aviation community has a strong, credible and united voice."
In turn, not having the latest and greatest jets on the tarmac ultimately trickles down to the core attendees being less excited about the events.
The static display situation for the 2025 edition of EBACE was so dire that the EBAA dropped it altogether, calling it a transitional year after parting ways with the NBAA as co-host the year prior.
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Until then, the board is asking its members to stay on board and stay the course.
"The cancellation of EBACE26 does not change EBAA's purpose. If anything, it reinforces the importance of staying focused on the Association's core mission and on working with and for its members to develop the right initiatives, platforms and forms of engagement for the future," the statement read. "In the period ahead, EBAA will remain fully committed to serving its members and focusing its efforts where the Association can bring the greatest value to the sector. That also requires a shared commitment. Your continued trust, participation and support will be essential as we shape the next chapter together and ensure that business aviation in Europe remains organized, represented and influential."