Inflight editor Alexander Preston summarises the latest happenings across IFEC and cabin technology.
Geneva may have been bathed in sunshine at the beginning of the week, but the start of this year’s European Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition (EBACE) was overshadowed by the death of Serge Dassault, chairman and CEO of Groupe Dassault. Indeed, his memory and legacy were remembered throughout the four-day event.
While several new aircraft models debuted at the show, it was on-board connectivity that was the talk of the newswires. Whether it was an integrated bundle of hardware, software or services, investment in high-speed connectivity continues apace, and it’s not just on new and in-production models, but as a retrofit option too, ensuring that owners and operators remain connected wherever they are in the world.
Affordability, reliability, security and coverage are the names of the game here and there’ll no doubt be more customer announcements and STC awards to come in the days and weeks ahead.
For now, the industry mourns the loss of an innovator. As National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) President and CEO Ed Bolen commented of Dassault, “Without question, he will long be remembered as a diplomat, statesman, innovator and leader, not just within the industry, but among all those who have been influenced by his leadership.”
The editor’s comment is published weekly as an accompaniment to the Inflight e-newsletter. If you do not currently receive our email updates, you can subscribe here.
