With business aviation’s focus on improving its environmental credentials, the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is one of the key strategies the industry is relying on to reach net zero by 2050. On Wednesday at EBACE, a panel discussion dedicated to the topic featured experts from Air bp, Signature Aviation, World Fuel Services, and VistaJet. They explored the entire SAF ecosystem from feedstocks to mandates.

A year ago, the European Parliament and European Council reached an agreement on the ReFuelEU proposal that calls for the scaling up of the use of blended SAF starting next year. “It is a fuel supplier mandate to provide a 2% blend—beginning in 2025—of the aviation fuel that is consumed in Europe [having] a SAF component, and that ramps up through 2050 to 70%,” Keith Sawyer, Avfuel’s manager of alternative fuels, told AIN. But the exact qualifying blend ratio had yet to be determined, he added.

Menzies Aviation, which provides ground handling for airlines at more than 250 airports around the world, has unveiled Pearl Executive Aviation, its new private aviation handling and FBO division.

Forming the core of the FBO chain is Menzies’ purchase of Flystar Flight Support, a leading provider of business aviation services in the Balkans. Menzies also operates several FBOs in Africa and has a network of private aviation lounges at airports it services, all of which will be rebranded under the Pearl banner.

The International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) has developed a guide and is planning a webinar to help clear up confusion surrounding compliance with the European Trading Systems (ETS) and the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA). Released this week during EBACE 2024, the guide, “Aiming for ETS & CORSIA Compliance,” guides compliance with the EU Emissions Trading Scheme, its Swiss and UK counterparts, and CORSIA.

To be held June 26, the free webinar will provide an overview of the highlights of the guide and will detail scenarios that operators have encountered.

Dassault’s EASy flight deck is arguably the most advanced flying today. Powered by Honeywell’s Primus Epic platform and displayed on four large Honeywell screens, EASy is an intuitive, digital system that was first introduced on the Falcon 900EX in 2003, but has been continually improved to maintain its place at the head of the field with the current EASy IV.

The system naturally provides the basis for the Nexus flight deck that will be installed in the forthcoming Falcon 10X, although Dassault test pilot Philippe Duchateau told AIN this week at EBACE 2024 that it will be better, with more features and options.

12 hours and 5,650 nautical miles of non-stop performance. The ACJ TwoTwenty has reimagined executive and private travel. For a similar investment, enjoy twice the space of any other large cabin business jet and lower operating costs.

A new portfolio of pricing plans was launched by Satcom Direct this week at EBACE 2024. The plans cover the Plane Simple electronically-steered antenna (ESA) family that is set to enter service early next year.

One of the plans is an industry-first offer that comprises 36 monthly payments of $15,000 and covers the ESA hardware and connection to the Eutelsat OneWeb low-earth-orbit Ku-band satellite network that offers 195 Mbps download and 36 Mbps upload speeds. No additional payment is required upfront.

The Middle East and North Africa Business Aviation Association is gearing up for the MEBAA Show 2024 from December 10 to 12 at Dubai World Central against a backdrop of a record-breaking year for the emirate’s business aviation sector, the association said.

Business jet movements at the Mohammed bin Rashid Aerospace Hub (MBRAH) at Dubai South increased by 8% year over year in 2023, reaching its highest level since the airport opened in 2010. In addition, that momentum has continued, with more than 4,600 movements in the first quarter.

Tecnam’s P2012 STOL piston twin received EASA approval for steep approaches of up to 10 degrees, the company announced on Tuesday. The aircraft was designed for short takeoff and landing operations, Tecnam noted, calling the steep approach nod a significant endorsement of its design that expands the aircraft's operability.

“With its impressive short field performance and now 10-degree approach certification, there is no inaccessible runway for the latest P2012 STOL," said Francesco Sferra, Tecnam P2012 special mission platforms sales and business development manager.

The digital flip-through issues of AIN’s award-winning EBACE Convention News are now available online. It’s a great way to quickly scan the news from EBACE 2024, whether you’re in Geneva attending the show or watching from afar.