N E W S
including financial
and operational
aid, so that operators
can support the economic
recovery when it happens.”
For example, an issue has been how to maintain
the validity of licenses and airworthiness certificates
during the crisis. EBAA and others have worked
with the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)
to develop and issue an exemption template to the
Competent Authorities across Europe as quickly
as possible.
The association is also running a data collection
exercise with its members to assess and record the
damage the crisis causes to business aviation, so
it can address needs in a hierarchical way. It is also
working with national associations and authorities to
help operators on a local basis, Husain Khan said.
Relief packages
In the USA the National Business Aviation Association
(NBAA) is distributing information and advice about
coronavirus and is also calling for government aid.
The trade association has co-signed a letter with
major aviation groups to ask for a government
relief package that covers companies conducting
8 | BU S INE S S A I R P O RT INT E RNAT I ONA L A P R I L 2 0 2 0
Covid-19: More information
Up to date and verified information about
Covid-19’s impact on business aviation can be
obtained from the following resources:
EBAA’s Covid-19 page, with links to other resources
from aviation authorities and regulators:
www.ebaa.org/covid-19-resource-centre
NBAA’s central Covid-19 page: www.nbaa.org/
aircraft-operations/safety/coronavirus
Osprey’s Risk dashboard can be registered for at:
open.ospreyfs.net
Business Airport International’s website:
www.businessairportinternational.com
European Business Aviation Solidarity Initiative:
www.luxaviation.com/en/group/ebasi
Universal’s comprehensive resource for flight
planning: www.universalweather.com/blog
operations under FAR Parts 135 and
91 subpart K.
These packages should cover
“medium to long-term liquidity
assistance and relief from air
transportation excise taxes,” the letter
sent on March 18, states.
Bryan del Monte, president of
marketing company The Aviation
Agency, which is based in Bloomington,
Minnesota, believes it is vital for
business aviation to be heard in calls
for aid.
He said, “Aviation is more than the
airlines. Airports will suffer because of
this crisis – most of their revenue is
derived from landing fees.
“Governments need to look after
the whole ecosystem with packages of
measures that include airports. If there
is a silver lining for business aviation,
it is that it will get to show its worth.
Commercial aviation will not get back to
pre-corona crisis levels quickly.
“With our use it or lose it approach
to capacity, if the charter operators,
FBOs and airports can figure out
ways of working together, it could be
advantageous”
Flexibility will also be key not just
in how people work on a daily basis,
but also with company’s core business
models, believes Del Monte. “If you
are an FBO and there are no airplanes
flying, you need to consider what else
you can do. Charter companies should
be asking themselves if they can fly
cargo instead of passengers,” he said.
“Post-corona, aviation is going to
have to take responsibility for the sale
and build trust again. We may see new
rules around hygiene to help that.”
“Governments need
to look after the
whole ecosystem
with packages of
measures that
include airports”
Bryan del Monte,
the Aviation Agency
/covid-19-resource-centre
/
/open.ospreyfs.net
/www.businessairportinternational.com
/ebasi
/blog