Extinction Rebellion and other climate change activists mounted a protest at Maastricht-Aachen Airport in Beek, a town in the Netherlands, on March 9. The groups sought to highlight the uptick in private jet traffic arriving there for the annual TEFAF air fair.

According to a European security consultant speaking to AIN on condition of anonymity, intelligence provided by his company to local authorities was instrumental in preventing violations of airport security and possible damage to aircraft. Local police imposed emergency orders banning gatherings near the airport, which Extinction Rebellion said received 200 private aircraft for the TEFAF event.

Protestors marched on the air fair carrying signs calling for a complete ban on private aviation in scenes that mirrored protests across Europe last year. Security experts said that more demonstrations are expected at Dutch airports, including Groningen and Eindhoven, in the coming weeks.

Holding its annual conference in London last week, the British Business and General Aviation Association felt the need to not disclose the exact venue out of concern over attracting environmental protestors. The previous year’s conference was disrupted by demonstrators who breached security at the venue.

The International Business Aviation Council’s (IBAC) International Standard for Business Aircraft Handling (IS-BAH) program is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. The audit-based program of industry best practices was initially developed in collaboration with NATA in 2014 and follows IBAC’s International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations principles, offering a professional code of practice and a safety management system (SMS) as the foundation.

IS-BAH was the ground handling industry’s first standard to incorporate the SMS concept. Additionally, it enables FBOs and other ground handlers to quickly adapt to any current and future safety requirements that regulators may enact.

The program has three levels of achievement along its path and as of last month, 310 handlers had received the initial Stage 1 registration, 202 have progressed to Stage 2, and 30 companies worldwide have achieved the highest, Stage 3, with the first announced in 2018.

“I am proud of the IBAC team who helped the pathway to success of the IS-BAH, as well as the hundreds of organizations that have committed to go above and beyond in implementing—through to registration—this purely voluntary safety standard for the business aviation sector,” said program director Terry Yeomans. “The IS-BAH-registered [ground handling service providers] gain independently verified recognition for adopted management with safety as its core value.”

The 2024 NBAA International Operators Conference, set for March 26 to 28 in Orlando, Florida, will feature a keynote from aviation advocate Ron Mumm, a USAF Fighter Weapons School graduate with experience as an F-15 and F-16 fighter pilot, operational test pilot, instructor pilot, and Thunderbird pilot. He has led business aviation operations for Fortune 50 corporations and is type-rated in Bombardier, Cessna, Dassault, and Gulfstream jets.

“We are honored to have Ron Mumm as our keynote speaker, inspiring us with his remarkable achievements and dedication to making a difference,” said NBAA director of flight operations and regulations Brian Koester. “He embodies the pinnacle of excellence in aviation and we eagerly anticipate hearing about his incredible career.”

The international operators conference will feature sessions and seminars on issues and topics that are at the forefront in the business aviation industry, including GPS spoofing and jamming, efforts to reach net-zero carbon emissions, and cybersecurity. The event will also include a networking night of bowling and go-karting.

Financial technology company Tuvoli and aviation management platform FL3XX this week executed the live launch of their integrated digital checkout product for charter operators and brokers at the 2024 NBAA Schedulers and Dispatchers Conference. According to the companies, integration of their respective services will support instant delivery of quotes for flights, rapid electronically-signed contract completion, and secure credit card guarantees or prepayments.

The collaboration addresses the demands of operators and brokers for a streamlined sales process that reduces the time from quote to confirmation. “Since our initial introduction at NBAA-BACE in October, the enthusiasm and feedback from the industry has been overwhelmingly positive,” said Tuvoli president and CEO Greg Johnson. “This live launch is not just a milestone for Tuvoli and FL3XX but a leap forward for the entire charter industry, emphasizing our commitment to innovation and efficiency.”

Key features include rapid multi-quote capability, allowing operators to send quotes or multi-quotes at “unprecedented” speeds; seamless DocuSign integration, ensuring contracts’ readiness for electronic signature the moment a quote is accepted; advanced payment processing incorporating credit card and bank account processing, with options for holds up to 30 days and immediate salesperson notification upon payment receipt; and adherence to payment card industry compliance standards for secure and encrypted transactions.

Boise, Idaho-based MRO provider Western Aircraft has renewed its agreement with Dassault Falcon, maintaining its status as an authorized service center of the French-made business jets for a 23rd year.

Since its original accreditation as a heavy MRO Falcon service center in 2001, Western Aircraft has grown in the scale and breadth of its capabilities. The company offers many services, including maintenance, avionics enhancements with Gogo Avance air-to-ground connectivity system installations, and detailed interior refurbishments and updates. Also involved in specialized airframe modifications such as dry bay modifications, Western Aircraft has accomplished more than 130 C-checks, the most thorough inspection available for all Falcon models.

“We are honored to have our authorization with Dassault Falcon Jet extended,” said Austin Shontz, v-p and general manager for Western Aircraft. “Our commitment to excellence and quality service aligns with the esteemed standards of Dassault Falcon Jet.”

An FAA-certified repair station, Western Aircraft supports a diverse clientele throughout the Western U.S. and Canada and holds authorization to maintain and modify Cessna Citation, Dassault Falcon, Daher, Embraer Executive Jets, Pilatus, and Piper aircraft, as well as avionics systems from Gogo Business Aviation, Honeywell, Collins Aerospace, and Universal Avionics.

Argus International and Mosaix Software forged a partnership under which the aviation services group's TraqPak flight tracking and data analysis tool will be integrated with Mosaix's Avman reservation system.

Announced this week at the NBAA Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference, the agreement will allow TraqPak FBO subscribers that use Avman to take advantage of the integration of TraqPak flight data within Avman for no additional charge. That added functionality will feature live arrival and departure information, along with fuel information tagged to the user's reservations without having to leave Avman's reservation system.

"We are always looking at avenues to add value for our subscriber base and they are always looking for ways to simplify their technology suite," said Argus senior v-p of software Travis Kuhn. "Teaming up with Mosaix was an easy decision in that regard and we look forward to expanding our offerings with them to the entire aviation community."

London Biggin Hill Airport-based private air charter firm Opul Jets has launched with a fleet of three Bombardier jets: a Global Express XRS and Learjet 40 and 45. All of Opul’s aircraft and crews are approved to fly into London City Airport, which has steep approach requirements. The company also opened offices in the Isle of Man, India, and Dubai.

"We are delighted to bring Opul Jets into the market with our owned fleet, enabling us to quickly respond to client and broker requests,” said Opul Jets CEO Harry Ackerman. "We are looking forward to elevating expectations in both private aviation and luxury travel. Opul Jets is a new member of the British Business and General Aviation Association and has also applied to join the Air Charter Association.”

It is also touting a proprietary carbon footprint calculator, developed in partnership with Enfiniti, to promote sustainable flights. Further, flight crew will wear certified recycled apparel and the company is encouraging clients to opt for using sustainable aviation fuel on flights.

Signature Aviation is marking its appearance this week at the 2024 NBAA Schedulers and Dispatchers Conference with the official show debut of the FBO chain’s new visual branding. The move also sunsets the Signature Flight Support brand that the company’s FBO division had carried since its founding after the 1992 merger of Page Avjet and Butler Aviation—forming one of the industry’s first large-scale FBO chains.

“Our new brand heralds Signature’s transformation as the world’s preeminent hospitality company in aviation,” explained company CEO Tony Lefebvre. “At every step of the guest journey, we aim to exceed their expectations by delivering a modern, innovative, and exceptional experience.”

Universal Weather and Aviation’s Feasibility-IQ mission planning and intelligence app has been integrated with Portside’s Professional Flight Management (PFM) flight operations management system. PFM users can push a button in PFM to synchronize trip details with Feasibility-IQ. Demonstrations of the integration are available at Universal’s and PFM’s booths this week at the 2024 NBAA Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference in Fort Worth, Texas.

“PFM users can now not only facilitate trip services by pushing their mission details to Universal from PFM but can now also harness Feasibility-IQ’s real-time planning intelligence for their business aviation missions,” said Guido Groeschel, executive v-p of digital product management for Universal. “This is the latest example of how Universal and Portside are collaborating to develop innovative solutions that solve real problems and reduce the operational friction that our mutual clients have.”