The absence of two of the ‘big five’ business aircraft manufacturers means that this year’s European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE) is attracting headlines even before it gets underway at the Palexpo venue next to Geneva Airport on 28 May. Both Gulfstream Aerospace and Bombardier will have no presence at Europe’s largest corporate aviation event, either in the exhibition hall or the static aircraft park.

When it also chose to sit out last year’s NBAA-BACE in Las Vegas, Savannah-based Gulfstream said it had “created private events and experiences that have exceeded our customers’ expectations” and noted its intention to focus on “select events in markets that align with our business objectives”. Bombardier said it was “exploring various regional marketing concepts as part of our broader business plan”. The Canadian OEM did however emphasise its support for “the great work of both the EBAA and NBAA in key areas, including safety, sustainability, innovation, advocacy, workforce development and other priorities.”