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LYON—The European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) has canceled the 2026 edition of the EBACE business aviation convention and exhibition, which was scheduled to take place June 2-4 in Geneva.
The announcement, less than two months before the event had been scheduled to start, comes after three years of efforts to renew the show's format. EBAA and U.S. counterpart NBAA had been co-organizing the event since it was first held in 2001, until EBAA continued on its own from the 2025 edition.
“Despite our efforts, it has become clear that the EBACE26 format did not generate the momentum needed to deliver a viable edition of the event,” EBAA said in an April 10 announcement. The 2026 edition was set to reintroduce a static display, absent in 2025. Security had become a major issue since 2023, when eco-activists got into the static display and held a protest. The incident caused discomfort among exhibitors, who estimated organizers had failed to protect their assets.
Exhibitors and attendees had also challenged prices they perceived as exorbitant at the Palexpo exhibition center and bemoaned Geneva's expensive accommodation. For 2026, organizers had promised “a cost structure designed to better reflect exhibitor and attendee expectations.”
“EBAA’s mission is to promote responsible and sustainable growth in business aviation, improving connectivity and creating opportunities in the sector on behalf of our members,” EBAA said. “To that end, the association brings the industry together.” The 2025 edition focused on networking, and keynote speeches and panel discussions did provide compelling content.
Dassault Aviation CEO Eric Trappier has been among those questioning the relevance of business aviation shows, which he has found too costly and too frequent for events where he no longer sees end customers. Nevertheless, Dassault was ready to exhibit at EBACE, he said in March.
Meanwhile, the Aero Friedrichshafen event in Germany has been gaining traction. In 2025, it expanded the business aviation segment, which will accommodate Bombardier, Dassault and Textron Aviation business jets this year. For the 2026 edition, to be held from April 22-25, Aero organizers have announced a record 820 exhibitors.
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