IGBAA Conference Launches with Climbing Fast, Diaspora

The Irish Business and General Aviation Association (IBGAA) has become the 16th association to join the Climbing Fast initiative as it looks to spread the message of business aviation’s economic impact and sustainable innovation. IBGAA chairman and XJet and Robusto Capital founder and CEO Josh Stewart announced the decision to join as he helped kick off the organization’s International Business Aviation Conference this morning in Kildare.

Now in its fourth edition, the conference brought together 160 aviation professionals from Ireland and beyond to discuss a range of issues confronting the industry, such as sustainability, connectivity, Irish partnerships with Saudi Arabia, and shaping the future of aviation.

IBGAA joins a growing European contingent to support the Climbing Fast advocacy and educational campaign that is designed to inform policymakers and opinion leaders on the contributions of business aviation. The British Business and General Aviation Association joined in May, following the European Business Aviation Association last year.

“It is critical that we work together with one global voice to make clear business aviation’s leadership in sustainability, and as a key driver of economic growth and investment, here in Ireland and around the globe,” Stewart said.

IBGAA is launching a dedicated website to promote the initiative, Stewart said, adding that the campaign “brings together the benefits [of business aviation] with sustainability…If you get caught at Christmas with the family and they’re giving you a rollicking for being in bizav and hearing all those negative statements, go to the website; the arguments are right there. It’s all laid out so clearly.”

In addition to joining Climbing Fast, Stewart announced that IBGAA is rolling out the Irish Aviation Diaspora to develop the aviation community through the global Irish base. “We’ve got some momentum growing. We’re all together, but we need to expand our audience,” he said, defining diaspora as “anybody that’s outside of the homeland that still identifies as Irish.”

To be part of IBGAA, the Irish Aviation Diaspora will be open to companies worldwide with a connection to Ireland. “This is a smart and engaging way to grow our fledgling national association, which currently embraces 30 members,” Stewart added.

He noted that the Irish diaspora is said to be the world’s largest—the population of Ireland is 7 million, but the extended diaspora is 70 million. “That’s a big audience and they’re around the world,” he said, noting that the diaspora extends from the U.S. and Canada to the Middle East, Australia, and New Zealand.

Meanwhile, Darragh O’Brien, the Irish minister for transport, climate, environment, and energy who typically helps open the conference, sent a video message to attendees emphasizing the importance of sharing industry engagement, experience, and insights.

“The business and general aviation sector plays a vital role in our economy here in Ireland,” he said. “Beyond serving our strong tourism and commercial needs, it’s a key enabler for foreign direct investment and connectivity for our regions.”

He stressed that he was pleased by the focus on sustainability, highlighting the shared work to decarbonize aviation. This is particularly important given the release of Ireland’s sustainable aviation fuel policy roadmap earlier this year.

O’Brien also recognized the importance of Dublin Airport as the nation’s main international gateway. “We are committed to enabling its sustainable growth and have begun legislative work to remove the current passenger cap.”

At the same time, the DAA (formerly Dublin Airport Authority) is progressing on planning for additional infrastructure, he noted. Regional airports remain essential for growth and connectivity, he said, noting efforts and a program to help foster their development. Further areas of focus include supporting solar and other sustainable projects at airports.

O’Brien also mentioned a new national policy framework for UAS that Ireland launched this year to guide the “sustainable and responsible growth of the sector.”