Following a very difficult year for everyone involved in Irish aviation, not least in business and general aviation, I am delighted to be able to kick off 2021 on an extremely positive note with the launch of ibgaa.com – a big step in the right direction as we rebuild our industry.
There has long been a need for an Irish representative association in our industry, a platform that unites the business and general aviation community and promotes worthwhile opportunities in Ireland. This is exactly why Josh Stewart, Dave Scully, and I felt compelled to co-found IBGAA. Over the past six months, we have worked together to put solid foundations in place for the establishment of a non-profit national association that ensures business and general aviation’s economic potential is maximised in Ireland.
Before launching ibgaa.com, we took the following important steps to make sure the association was well-positioned to go from strength to strength from the very beginning:
- Secured IBGAA’s official acceptance into the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) as its 15th member association
- Established a member-sharing agreement with the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA), which enables IBGAA members to receive full EBAA membership and benefit from representation at European level, at no additional cost
- Joined the Council of European Business Aviation Associations (CEBAA)
I can proudly confirm that we have also put together an advisory board of like-minded professionals who have very strong regulatory backgrounds and extensive industry knowledge. Each member of this passionate group is committed to playing his/her part in driving our collective vision forward, while proactively guiding and helping the association as it gets off the ground smoothly and gains altitude.
We are not only aware of the issues our sector is facing, but we are also determined to work together to overcome the challenges that lie ahead, as we navigate safely through the severe turbulence caused by the current pandemic. Through collaboration and a shared commitment to serving the best interests of our members and community, we can continue to develop Irish business and general aviation for the better.
Now, more than ever, is the right time to launch IBGAA, an outward-looking, all-Ireland association, which represents our industry at national and international levels. Together, we will strive to contribute to the growth of business and general aviation in Ireland, while supporting ancillary activities that feed off of it, such as hospitality and tourism. In doing so, we can further establish Ireland, not only as a great destination to visit, but also a vital European business hub.
I believe that Ireland has not fully capitalised on business and general aviation. Yes, we have played a huge role in other aspects of aviation, including leasing and commercial aviation; however, in terms of business aviation, the Irish industry’s potential is still largely untapped. We can do so much more internationally, as well as within Ireland, where there are considerable growth opportunities.
In order to achieve sustainable success, though, it is vital that we give our members’ a voice and actively engage with the Irish government, demonstrating just how important our industry is to the national economy. This is exactly what the IBGAA Board of Directors is doing and will continue to do, as we strengthen long-standing partnerships and build new relationships at government and regulatory levels.
Ireland is now the only English-speaking country left in the EU, and, as a result, we must endeavour to seize upon new opportunities to attract companies who wish to invest and do business in an English-speaking, European environment. We can offer easy access to MNCs’ European headquarters, one of the lowest corporate tax rates in Europe, and multiple strategically located national, regional and local airports, along with efficient and hassle-free travel to and from the USA by utilising Shannon Airport’s CBP preclearance services.
I am confident that, by coming together as one national association with a shared vision for our industry’s future, we can have a massively positive impact on Irish economic development and establish the entire island of Ireland as an international powerhouse of business and general aviation. We may be known as the land of saints and scholars, but we are also an island of aviators and innovators, and it’s about time the world found out.
On behalf of Josh Stewart (Founding Chairman), Dave Scully (Founding Vice-Chairman), and Joe Buckley (Founding Executive Director), we would like to welcome you to ibgaa.com: the official website of The Irish Business & General Aviation Association.
ibgaa.com is a collaborative online platform, which keeps our members and the wider business and general aviation community updated on relevant IBGAA and industry-related news and announcements. It is also a reliable source for important information on national, European, and international industry developments, as well as useful data and statistics.
IBGAA is an association created by the community for the community, and we value the input of all members. This also applies to our website, so if you have any feedback, questions, or queries, or if you wish to find out more about IBGAA membership, please do not hesitate to email us at info@ibgaa.com.