2025 Edition of ‘ACE’ Further Consolidates Event’s Place in the Bizav Calendar

Air Charter Expo (ACE) has shown 'the power of Association' in bringing an industry together – in this case the London-based Air Charter Association (ACA) working with host London Biggin Hill Airport (EGKB) to bring business aviation together around the themes of business aviation charter, charter brokers, and trip support, and all the challenges the industry faces.

Taking place on September 9 in a single large hangar at Biggin Hill, ACE'25 was more than just a gathering of 100+ exhibitors, boasting a static display of more than 20 aircraft (see below) in front of the hangar.

The one-day event format, which is jointly organized with Business Air News (owned by Stansted News), has proved popular over the years the event has been steadily growing and, according to the organizers, this year's event attracted 2,000+ delegates – a new record (up from 1,600 last year), and despite it being a ticketed event (the early editions of ACE were free to attend).

Glenn Hogben, ACA chief executive, noted: "Air Charter Expo is a flagship event in the aviation calendar, that consistently delivers in showcasing the best of the air charter industry. The show continues to develop year upon year, and we are delighted to set another record for the number of attendees and exhibitors at ACE'25."

According to ACA, "ACE has seen continued growth, setting consistent record levels for attendees and exhibitors…the event presents outstanding networking opportunities and a unique chance to go on board an impressive range of fixed-wing and rotary aircraft."

Robert Walters, commercial director of London Biggin Hill Airport, said: "ACE'25 has once again exceeded expectations, with record numbers of exhibitors, aircraft and delegates attending from around the world. It's inspiring to see the industry come together at London Biggin Hill, reinforcing our airport's role at the heart of the business aviation community.

"We're especially grateful to The Air Charter Association for its continued partnership in delivering such an engaging event. The momentum from this year's show will carry forward as we continue to drive innovation and collaboration across the sector."

Conference Sessions

A highlight of the show was the conference sessions, featuring leading professionals from across the air charter industry. The focus of the program this year was the state of the industry in 2025, challenges posed by regulation and taxation, and dispelling the idea that business aviation is simply about luxury. The sessions were moderated by The ACA's chairman, Kevin Ducksbury, deputy-chair Julie Black and chief executive, Glenn Hogben.

The three panel discussions which formed the conference schedule were:

1. What's happening in the air charter market in 2025?

This was a panel discussion of topical challenges and progress affecting the air charter market. Panelists representing the business aviation, rotary, commercial aviation and cargo sectors, from both an operator and broker perspective.

2. Time to dispel the myth that business aviation is all about luxury

ACA believes it is the industry's responsibility to "change the narrative" and highlight the importance of business aviation. "Currently it is seen as a luxury playground for the rich and famous but this is simply not true, with more than 80 percent of air charter being for business, delivering vital humanitarian aid and life-saving medical flights."

3. Are regulation and taxation becoming the leading challenges for our industry?

Moderated by Glenn Hogben, chief executive of The Air Charter Association, panelists included David Kendrick (head of airline licensing) from the UK Civil Aviation Authority and Robert Baltus, Chief Operations Officer, EBAA.

The ACA thanked event sponsors Dassault Aviation, Private Jet Centre - London City Airport, Air bp, Qatar Executive, Close Brothers, FCG OPS, XLR Executive Jet Centre's and APOGEE.

Part of the exhibitor line-up was Aviation Week Information Network (AWIN) promoting its data products, especially Air Charter Guide, which is a widely-used information source in the business aviation community, and AC-U-KWIK, which is used by many flight operations departments and a wide range of other companies. Its airport directories and apps are also popular with bizav pilots around the world. The AWIN team also saw interest from ACE visitors in its other products, such as the Aircraft BlueBook price guide, which is also widely used in the business aviation sector.

Attending ACE for Aviation Week were Adam Hardling, Shelli Hitchins and Michele Markarian, who has become accustomed to jetting over from her Boston base for the event.

The author of this article was very grateful for the support of London Biggin Hill head of marketing, Andy Patsalides, who arranged for the landing fee to be waived for a flight from AC-U-KWIK's UK base at Fairoaks Airport (EGTF), some 20 minutes flying time away in a Piper PA28 Warrior single-engine piston aircraft, which was parked during the afternoon of ACE just outside the static display.

Madeleine Field, general manager operations at ACA, said the 2026 event (set for Tuesday, September 8 at London Biggin Hill Airport) would likely see some "minor tweaks to further maximize the useable space they have, and to enable them to add as many exhibitors, booth exhibits and aircraft as possible – safely and whilst keeping all exhibitors and suppliers/hosts happy at the same time!"

Field believes that changes to the conference area to place it in the open rather than in a closed-off part of the hangar "made it much more welcoming and easier to engage from the periphery at the same time."

By Ian Sheppard, Senior Researcher, AC-U-KWIK & Airportdata.com