Known as business aviation’s largest annual event, the 2024 NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE)was held in Las Vegas Oct. 22-24, and representatives from St. Louis Downtown Airport team were there. We joined thousands on hand for the annual conference that brought together the industry’s top names, latest innovations and biggest news, ushering in the next era of aviation.
“Business aviation is transforming with new technologies and bold ideas,” said Ed Bolen, NBAA President and CEO. “NBAA-BACE celebrated all our industry is today, and how we are shaping the future.”
The industry’s mission to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 was in sharp focus at NBAA-BACE. Airport-based fuel providers offered Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) at Henderson Executive Airport (HND), North Las Vegas Airport (VGT) and Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) through their respective FBOs during the conference. SAF can reduce aviation’s lifecycle carbon emissions by as much as 80% over traditional. The fourth Business Aviation Sustainability Summit convened experts on thinking globally and acting locally. One of the U.S. Department of Energy’s top officials for renewables, Jeff Marootian, outlined what the federal government is doing to foster sustainable aviation. A host of companies signed the NBAA-BACE Exhibitor Sustainability Pledge, underscoring their commitment to lowering the show’s carbon footprint. The industry’s CLIMBING. FAST. advocacy campaign kicked off its second year by welcoming a new association partner, the Canadian Business Aviation Association, to the international coalition.
The conference featured dozens of educational sessions covering topics of interest to all attendees, from those starting out in the aviation industry to seasoned professionals and businesses utilizing aircraft to help them succeed. Safety programming was a highlight of several sessions, with government and industry experts discussing a variety of safety lessons learned from real-life incidents and accidents. Topics included strategies for building an aviation safety action program, strategies to support single pilot safety, and updates to the Federal Aviation Administration’s mental health programs and medical certification policies.
See NBAA TV clips with highlights from the show, along with news, photo galleries and dispatches from each day of the convention at the NBAA-BACE Newsroom
The exhibit hall was packed with more than 800 of the industry’s leading companies showcasing the latest aircraft, avionics and propulsion technologies. The full diversity of business aircraft was on display at Henderson Executive Airport (HND) – from piston-engine airplanes, to long-range, large-cabin business jets, to helicopters. The Pink Jet, a symbol of community, resilience and hope for breast cancer survivors and families, was among the aircraft displayed. BLADE Air Mobility offered per-seat helicopter flights between the Las Vegas Convention Center and HND, previewing a future of on-demand aerial transportation.
The show’s all-new Flight Deck on the exhibit floor drew packed crowds to hear from the industry’s top aircraft brokers, market experts and entrepreneurs on timely topics, such as artificial intelligence in business aviation, security in a flight tracking age and trends propelling aircraft sales and deliveries.
Excellence was recognized throughout the week. The National Aviation Hall of Fame announced the 2025 Enshrinement class, including former NBAA board chair, decorated veteran and iconic aviator Gen. Lloyd “Fig” Newton. The National Aeronautic Association awarded the Clifford Henderson Trophy to MedAire founder Joan Sullivan Garrett and CEO Bill Dolny for the company’s groundbreaking medical service.
Growing the business aviation workforce and helping to foster the next generation of leaders was a goal achieved during the conference. Eighty students underwent special training at the airport, which gave students hands-on experience with aircraft and time to network with prospective employers. The job matching and educational opportunities also included a Career Fair attended by hundreds of students and a dozen scholarships presented throughout the conference.
The conference once again delivered rousing keynotes by several inspirational figures and trailblazers, including Administrator Michael Whitaker, who unveiled a long-awaited regulatory framework for electric air taxis and other advanced air mobility (AAM) operations. Immediately after the keynote, Whitaker signed the SFAR (Special Federal Aviation Regulation) surrounded by the CEOs and leaders with top AAM companies. Attendees also heard from acclaimed astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, whose discussion with pilot, Olympian and Joby Aviation executive Bonny Simi thrilled a standing-room-only audience.
During the three-day conference, we had the opportunity to promote the advantages of flying to KCPS to visit St. Louis with many other industry professionals, prospective partners, and future customers. If you’d like to connect with us directly for insight on how KCPS can be your discreet connection to all our region offers, visit www.stlouisdowntairport.com or contact Sandra Shore at seshore@nullstlouisdowntownairport.com.