EBACE Show Canceled as New Format Fails To Win Support

The European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) has canceled the EBACE show scheduled to be held in Geneva from June 2 to 4. The industry group announced the decision on Friday morning, saying that the show’s revised format had not generated “the momentum needed to deliver a viable edition of the event.”

In meetings this week, EBAA’s board confirmed the decision to cancel the event less than eight weeks before EBACE 2026 was due to open at the Palexpo center at Geneva International Airport. The group did not say whether it will attempt to relaunch the show in future years.

“This is a difficult decision, and one we have not taken lightly,” said EBAA CEO Stefan Benz. “We know it will cause disappointment for exhibitors, partners, and participants who have committed to this year’s event and placed trust in it. However, we believe this is the most responsible course of action. It is also the right decision to help minimize further impact on those who had already committed to the event, and reflects the transparency and seriousness with which we must act towards our members and the wider market.”

The European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition was first held in 2001 and, until 2024, was jointly run by EBAA and the NBAA. After the U.S. industry group ended the joint venture, EBAA relaunched the show with a new format in May 2025, and it had planned further changes for the event to be held in June.

The 2026 show was to have included a new static display area for business aircraft after this feature was not part of the 2025 event. Last year, EBAA announced plans to alternate venues for the annual show between Geneva and other European locations in response to exhibitors complaining about the high costs in the Swiss city.

Membership Changes

As well as serving as a platform for EBAA’s efforts to advance the interests of the business aviation industry, EBACE has also been an important source of income for the Brussels-based group. Last month, EBAA members voted to reform the association’s membership structures so that all member companies have the same rights. Previously, so-called “full” members—typically aircraft operators—had had stronger voting rights than “associate” members.

In addition to the return of the popular aircraft static display, the 2026 EBACE show was to have featured a stronger focus on operators and new networking opportunities. EBAA had also revised the cost structure “to better reflect exhibitor and attendee expectations.”

According to EBAA, it will now focus its efforts and resources on its core mission to “meet the needs of its members and those of Europe’s business aviation community.” The group said it is committed to promoting “responsible and sustainable growth,” improving connectivity, and creating opportunities for the sector.

“EBAA was founded to serve Europe’s business aviation community, and that purpose remains unchanged,” commented the group’s chairman, Juergen Wiese. “Our mission is to represent this industry on behalf of our members, advocate for them, and help create the conditions in which they can continue to sustainably operate their businesses across Europe. EBACE has historically been an important enabler in support of that mission, but the format must respond to what the market and our members genuinely need and value.”