Once a year, the business aviation industry meets in Geneva, Switzerland for the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE) exhibiton. An Airsider Show Report by Michael Meier.

All the important comanies were showcasing their current product ranges in the exhibition hall and on the tarmac at Geneva International Airport, which was connected via a footbridge. EBACE 2004 featured 247 Exhibitors occupying a record 728 3-meter by 3-meter booth spaces in Geneva Palexpo, an increase of 18 percent over last year's booth space total of 615. The Static Display on Geneva International Airport featured a total of 36 business aircraft. It was the biggest EBACE ever, the exhibition hall was fully occupied into the last corner. If the numbers are growing again, the addition of a second hall will have to be considered.

But also the number of registered visitors was setting a record in the fair's history. 6,487 Attendees came to Geneva - an increase of 8.4 percent over last year's total of 5,984.

The event was jointly organised by the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) and National Business Aviation Association (NBAA). The exhibition was accompagnied by informal sessions and operational briefings by various manufacturers.

On Thursday, May 27, European Commission President Romano Prodi visited EBACE, arriving at the airport in a business jet. He toured the exhibition hall and boarded several aircraft in the Static Display, paying particular attention to European aircraft and products. This visit by the president of the European Commission, the administrative and executive body of the European Union, illustrated a strong European interest in business aviation and the importance of the sector for the European air transport industry.

This year's EBACE was held from May 25 through 27. EBACE2005 has been scheduled for Wednesday, May 18 to Friday, May 20, 2005, in Geneva, Switzerland.

News	All the news which made headlines at this year's edition of the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE).
Impressions	See some pictures from the static display, including all the highlights of this year's EBACE.
Boeing BBJ First to Use FANS Across North Atlantic A Boeing Business Jet today completed the first North Atlantic flight by a business jet equipped with the Future Air Navigation System (FANS), a system that streamlines communication between airplane crews and air-traffic controllers.
Bombardier Launches the Transatlantic Express Bombardier Aerospace today launched the Bombardier Transatlantic Express, the world’s first fixed-price business jet charter service between Western Europe and North America.
Dassault Launches The Falcon 900DX Dassault Aviation today introduced the Falcon 900DX, a large cabin tri-jet that combines Falcon safety, technology and performance with fuel efficiency and value. The 900DX fills a niche between Falcon's 2000EX and 900EX models.