EBACE2019 Session Looks at Impending Brexit

As the 31 October 2019 deadline for the United Kingdom (UK) to exit the European Union (EU) gets closer, attendees of the 2019 European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE2019) discussed what the pending Brexit could mean for aviation, particularly business aviation.

“We’re not here to talk about Brexit, we’re here to assume it’s happened,” moderator Graham Williamson, Sonas Aviation, in setting the tone for the panel, adding it’s important to work out the kinks before Brexit takes place.

David Kendrick, with the British Civil Aviation Authority, said it’s “not all glum,” at his agency, which is thinking ahead and already working on issues including licensing and certification. What we don’t want to see is a connectivity problem, he said.

“When we do get to 1 November, success for us will be a person gets on a plane exactly the same as he did on the 31 October, and notice no difference whatsoever,” Kendrick said, adding they want to preserve as much of the “status quo” as possible.
Frédérique Jos, from BRJ Avocats Associés, talked about the issue from the EU perspective. “We have been keeping calm and hoping for the best and preparing for the worst,” she said. Jos, who serves as the vice-chair of the Associate Member Advisory Council of EBAA said, there were several areas to take into consideration – particularly certification and agreements that are currently in place with UK entities.

Clyde & Co.’s Mark Bissett, who helped write the EBAA Brexit Report, said much has changed since that report came out, adding there was a “dry run” in March when Brexit was supposed to take place and now there’s another opportunity to see “what we can do” as October approaches. On 1 November the first question for operators will be what traffic rights do they have, and may find they can no longer conduct certain flights without any arrangements in place.

While the situation remains fluid, it was clear from the session that there are still many questions to answer before 1 November.

Read the EBAA Report about Brexit and what it could mean or business aviation.

Air Cargo Europe conference

Transport Logistic 2019 With A New Record

• 10 percent more exhibitors, 5 percent more visitors, one additional hall
• “Goods find their way despite customs disputes.”
• Top topics: Driver Shortage, Silk Road, Artificial Intelligence

Munich hosted the largest logistics fair in the world with new record values from June 4 to 7, 2019. The top topics were the trade war between the USA and China and the shortage of drivers, but the New Silk Road was clearly noticeable at the same time and great hopes were pinned on artificial intelligence in many areas.

“Transport logistic has confirmed its role as the world’s largest intermodal logistics hub. There were 2,374 exhibitors, an increase of 10 percent, and around 64,000 visitors, an increase of 5 percent,” Stefan Rummel, Managing Director of Messe München, reported. The trade fair has grown by one hall to ten halls and has once again become significantly more international, an increase of 3 percent points to 56 percent for exhibitors and also by 3 percent points to 47 percent for visitors.

“We saw strong growth from China, where the number of exhibitors almost doubled by 30 new ones to 64,” Mr. Rummel stated. “Chinese companies are increasingly looking for cooperation partners in Europe as part of the Silk Road Initiative.” The driver shortage was also one of the dominant topics. In addition to more attractive working conditions, artificial intelligence could help in the long term; this should make logistics chains more transparent and efficient overall.

Is Logistics in the Driving Seat?
The major challenges facing the industry were discussed at the opening of a high-profile round panel discussion. “We need to make the growing traffic flows more efficient and affordable as well as environmentally and climate-friendly,” Federal Minister of Transport Andreas Scheuer stated. In reference to the global economy, DHL head Dr. Frank Appel expressed restrained optimism, “even though current relations between governments in the US and China are not conducive at the moment.” But: “Goods find their way despite customs disputes.” The situation is currently also challenging for air freight, “which is a very volatile business. We have to be open to options and think in the long term,” Dorothea von Boxberg stated, Managing Director Product and Sales at Lufthansa Cargo AG. Alexander Doll, Director of Finance, Freight Transport and Logistics at Deutsche Bahn AG, distinguished between global and intra-regional trade flows: “We still see decent growth in the latter.” And Rolf Habben Jansen, CEO of Hapag-Lloyd AG, explained that his company is well prepared: “We have been an active driver of consolidation in our industry over the past five years, enabling us to strengthen our overall market position significantly.”

The trade fair in figures
At transport logistic 2019, 2,374 exhibitors from 63 countries were present, an increase of 10 percent (2017: 2,162). Around 64,000 visitors from 125 countries attended, an increase of 5 percent (2017: 60,726). Around 30.000 visitors came from abroad. The exhibition covered ten halls and an outdoor area, totaling 125,000 square meters of exhibition space.

The top ten exhibitor countries after Germany were: Netherlands, Italy, Belgium, France, Poland, China, Austria, Spain, United Kingdom, and the Czech Republic. New exhibitors included Fercam, Neutral Air Cargo, Hong Kong COSCO Shipping Lines, China Asia Shipping and Yuxinou Logistics. DHL returned as an exhibitor. There will be twenty-five international joint pavilions, including Sri Lanka, Romania, Lithuania, Poland and Turkey.

MEBA 2018 – Participation

THE GLOBAL HUB OF BUSINESS AVIATION

The MEBAA Show is the Middle East’s leading business aviation exhibition and a must attend event for companies across the entire industry. Visit the MEBAA Show to discover the latest products and services available from the world’s leading companies in the business aviation industry