Welcome to the EBAA COVID-19 Resource Centre. Due to the continually evolving situation – with new developments occurring daily – this page will be updated regularly with new information and resources to help EBAA members be informed and continue to operate.

On this page you can find:

• Activities EBAA is undertaking in light of COVID-19
• An overview of European financial support measures available (per country)
• Overviews of aviation related travel restrictions, in Europe and globally (per continent)
• Operational guidance and updates (shared via EBAA’s #BSafe newsletter alerts)
• Useful links and resources

EBAA is actively and closely monitoring developments related to the COVID-19 outbreak. We work with European and global authorities, and other aviation organisations, to gather, filter and disseminate official guidance and information to our members as it becomes available. EBAA also advocates on behalf of the business aviation sector, ensuring our industry can continue to operate where appropriate and safety allows.

In April 2020, EBAA sent two open letters to European Institutions and national governments. The first urging for the immediate safeguard of the European Business Aviation sector, and another calling for a close collaboration when defining rules for the safe reopening of air travel.

Open letter on social distancing measures in the Business Aviation sector

On 30 April 2020, EBAA sent an open letter urging European policy-makers and regulators to collaborate closely when defining rules for the safe reopening of air travel, as the Business Aviation sector is on the frontline of the pandemic and will help shape the European economic and social recovery.

EBAA calls on policy-makers and regulators in the EU institutions, Member States, Switzerland and the United Kingdom to:

• Consider the unique nature of Business Aviation operations, the personalised approach and services offering the highest levels of safety, even before the crisis. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, Business Aviation can quickly incorporate more public health measures.
• Work with Business Aviation experts and consider the technical guidelines that are currently in place to define any future rules for the safe reopening of air travel. Detailed Business Aviation technical guidelines are under development by a specialised EBAA Safety and Technical committee composed of engineers, medical doctors and Business Aviation safety specialists. These guidelines will be shared with policy-makers and regulators ahead of the publications of the rules by the European Commission.

Open letter on the safeguard of the Business Aviation sector

On 2 April 2020,EBAA along with the European Business Aviation community sent an open letter urging European policy-makers and regulators to protect the continuity and survival of the Business Aviation sector in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. The measures detailed in our joint letter aim at the same objective; helping to safeguard as many companies as possible in our sector. Business Aviation has a vital role to play in the fight against COVID-19 and the post-crisis European recovery.

EBAA, together with EASA and other aviation-related organisations, developed a set of recommendations for General Aviation Operations during the COVID-19 recovery phase. The “Health Status Checklist” poster is meant to provide an overview of the measures intended to reduce the risk of spreading the virus.

Discover the impact of COVID-19 on the European Business Aviation sector by finding our CEO survey and traffic tracker.  Traffic tracking data from EUROCONTROL shows the disruption COVID-19 has caused to the Business aviation sector, with a 62% decrease in traffic in May 2020 compared to 2019.However, European Business aviation seems to experience a slight upturn in activity towards the final week of May.

Business aviation has always been a lifeline for communities, be it for medical transport or as a tool to help governments and businesses generate local economic development. As the COVID-19 pandemic spreads worldwide, business aviation professionals are once again jumping into action to fly stranded citizens back to their home countries, transport medical teams, airlift patients and ship medical supplies. In the face of heightened challenges such as airspace and airport closures, the industry is rallying forces to support this global crisis.

EBAA is showcasing stories of how Business Aviation is helping in the crisis on our Expanding Horizons website. If you have examples of what your company is doing to help others during this testing period please share these with membership@ebaa.org.

Updated 31 July 2020

As COVID-19 put a temporary stop to a majority of activities in Europe’s economy, many national governments have implemented measures to support businesses that have been impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.

EBAA has gathered an overview of these financial support measures adopted by national governments to help companies navigate which measures exist and where to find more information. The overview includes:

• Financial support measures implemented per country
• EU State Aid announcements

The list is being updated and revised regularly.

If you have any questions relating to the overview of financial support measures per country, please contact Vanessa Rullier at vrullier@ebaa.org.

Considering the variety of measures taken by countries around the world to facilitate air travel, you can find below 2 trackers in which EU and international travel restrictions are being reviewed and updated regularly.

Due to the constantly changing nature of restrictions around the world, it is encouraged to consult the current status of restrictions with national authorities before traveling.

Updated 7 August 2020

EU Member States agreed to temporarily seal the EU’s external borders for an initial period of 30 days, starting on 17 March 2020. The travel restriction targeted non-EU residents, travelling for non-essential reasons. It exempts EU Nationals and Schengen Associated States, their families and long-term EU residents returning home from outside the EU. Moreover, non-essential travel within the EU is strongly discouraged. The border restrictions apply to all the countries in the Schengen Zone as well as Switzerland, Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein.

On 8 May 2020, the Commission recommended an extension of the temporary travel restrictions to the EU+ area by another 30 days. This will expire on 15 June 2020.

Please note, the sources used in compiling the aviation-related travel restrictions can be found at the end of the overview. 

Updated 7 August 2020

With the COVID-19 outbreak officially called a ‘pandemic’ and thus being present on every major continent, expanded travel restrictions and flight bans are announced on a daily basis.

Please note, the sources used in compiling the aviation-related travel restrictions can be found at the end of the overview.  

If you have any questions relating to European and Global Travel Restrictions, please contact Corina Stiubei at cstiubei@ebaa.org.

EBAA shares official operational guidance for operators through our BSafe alerts and newsletter, EBAA’s dedicated safety newsletter.  These guidelines include general advice for operators, updated Safety Information Bulletins from EASA and other resources to help safeguard the safety of the passengers and crews of our operators.

29 May 2020

EASA issued temporary FTL extensions and released new COVID-19 information posters for passengers. Also, ICAO published Operational Quick Reference Guides and EBAA welcomed the EASA/ECDC Aviation Health & Safety Protocol.

5 May 2020

EASA published a new Safety Information Bulletin on return to operations for aerodromes and EUROCONTROL published the first edition of the 2020 Recovery Plan. Also, EASA updated the guidelines for the transport of cargo in passenger aircraft and adapted the annex to certain Safety Directives to include more airports located in affected areas.

6 April 2020

EBAA joined EASA’s Return to Service Project, focussing on safely re-establishing European aviation infrastructure when travel restrictions will be lifted in the future. Also, EASA updated its Safety Information Bulletin and warned the aviation community of rising reports of equipment falsely claimed to possess ETSO approval for use in medical evacuations in light of COVID-19.

27 March 2020

The European Aviation Crisis Coordination Cell (EACCC) declared a network crisis, and subsequently the Network Manager published a Business Continuity Plan. EASA issued a template to ease the process of obtaining exemption status for cargo operations. Lastly, EASA published a COVID-19 Guidance for the management of Crewmembers operating in high-risk areas.

20 March 2020

EASA issued a first version of an exemption template for maintaining or extending the validity of licenses and airworthiness review certificates to Competent Authorities. EBAA encourages its members to contact their respective Competent Authority to receive an update on their local procedure.

16 March 2020

The United States announced a suspension of entry by foreign nationals who have been in European countries. The entry into the US of all aliens, with certain exceptions, who have been physically present in the Schengen Area during the 14-day period preceding their entry or attempted entry into the United States, is suspended. Crew members and relatives of US citizens are exempt.

2 March 2020

EASA issued an updated version of its Safety Information Bulletin and the WHO published an updated situation report.

14 February 2020

EASA issued an updated version of its Safety Information Bulletin and the WHO published an updated situation report.

7 February 2020

In addition to the Safety Information Bulletin issued the week before, EASA and the European Commission Directorate for Health and Food Safety (DG SANTE) released updated advice to operators related to the Coronavirus outbreak.

31 January 2020

EASA Published its first Safety Information Bulletin in response to the evolution of the COVID-19 Outbreak and the WHO published a situation report.