22 June 2018 – SHANNON, County Clare, Ireland – In association with MEP Deirdre Clune (Ireland South) and Shannon Airport, the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) today is holding its ‘Meet Your MEP’ event at Shannon Airport in the company of key stakeholders from the region and beyond. Meet Your MEP is an opportunity for members of the European Parliament to meet with leading Business Aviation (BizAv) operators in their region in order to discuss the contributions of, and issues particular to, Europe’s EUR87 billion and almost 400,000-person strong BizAv industry.

Launched in 2016, and now on its 6^th edition, the EBAA’s Meet your MEP is a critical platform for relevant stakeholders to exchange views on a wide variety of leading issues for the BizAv community and the regions and people it connects.

In the presence of MEP Clune – the only Ireland member of the European Parliament’s Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) – with the kind support of FBO Westair Aviation and hosted by Shannon Airport (unique in Europe in offering full US Customs & Immigration preclearance for private aircraft), the roundtable discussion focused on a number of issues including:

• Local & national (Ireland) issues
• Implications of Brexit
• Taxation issues
• Safety: Flight Time Limitation; Concrete implications of the new EASA Basic Regulation
• Operations: navigation (EGNOS), LPV Deployment, financing of airports, implementation of CORSIA

BizAv’s contribution to Ireland and its economy is significant, with some 2,000 direct and indirect jobs related to the sector in 2017 and an output of EUR666 million. BizAv represented 4.6% of all flight departures in Ireland in 2017, and the total number of BizAv departures grew 7.3% to 7,579 in 2017 compared to 2016 .

MEP Clune stated: “Connectivity is the cornerstone for so many of Ireland´s businesses or for business based here and has never been more important than in the current political climate. Business Aviation connects regions, spurring investment and the growth of business, acting as an enabler for regional and national economic development, improving job prospects. We need to implement suitable policies that will help the industry safely grow to its full potential.”

EBAA Chairman Juergen Wiese said: “Ireland is the 17th biggest operator of business aviation in Europe and there is an overall tendency for growth in the country. When you look at the economic impact of BizAv, some 2,000 direct and indirect jobs have been created by the sector and it generates €666 million for the Irish economy annually. Clearly, BizAv is crucial to Ireland’s economy, its people and connecting the country with Europe and the rest of the world.”

Shannon Airport added: Shannon Airport offers 24-hour operations with no slots, curfews or any other restrictions and has an excellent geographical location which has made it Europe’s No. 1 location for business aviation technical stops on the North Atlantic. Shannon was the first airport in the world to get US Customs & Immigration preclearance for business aviation and is still the only airport in either Europe or the Middle East with this unique facility.”

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MEP Deirdre Clune

Deirdre Clune is a Member of the European Parliament for the constituency of Ireland South, having been elected in 2014. She is a full member of the Parliament’s Transport & Tourism committee and a substitute on Employment & Social Affairs committee.

Deirdre is a former member of the Dail Eireann (1997-2002, 2007-2011) and Seanad Eireann (2011-2014).

Deirdre, is both a civil and environmental engineer

MEP Deirdre Clune

European Business Aviation Association (EBAA)

Representing almost 700 aircraft operators, ground services, business airports and the ecosystem around business aviation, the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) exists to expand the horizons for business aviation in Europe. EBAA was founded in 1977 to defend the interests of business aviation and provides value to its members and society by promoting best practices, efficient and proportionate rule-making and increased connectivity within Europe. For more information, visit www.ebaa.org.

For more information, please contact:

Róman Kok, Communications Specialist, EBAA

rkok@ebaa.org