Chad is the editor of AINalerts, AIN's daily business aviation newsletter, and is also the news editor at AIN Media Group.&nbsp;He has been writing about aviation, with an emphasis on business aviation, since 1994. Chad started his writing career at The Avion,&nbsp;the&nbsp;student newspaper at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, serving as editor-in-chief before graduating with a bachelor's in aeronautical science. After a stint as managing editor at Professional Pilot&nbsp;magazine, he joined&nbsp;AIN in late 1998. Chad holds a commercial pilot certificated with instrument and multi-engine ratings, and he also is a CFI/CFII. He lives and works from his home in Venice, Florida.

Online Editor

Chad Trautvetter

The two top leaders at the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) today announced their departures in what the group called “a series of leadership changes as part of a broader organizational reform initiative aimed at enhancing the association’s effectiveness, responsiveness, and value.” Effective immediately, Holger Krahmer has stepped down from his role as secretary general, while COO Robert Baltus has resigned and will leave EBAA later this year, the association said. Former Jet Aviation and Luxaviation executive Stefan Benz has been appointed as EBAA interim managing director, effective today.
This move comes just days before EBAA’s <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2025-05-19/seven-cities-frame-be-ebace-shows-new-home">planned June 30 announcement</a> about where its annual EBACE show will be held next year. Last month at EBACE, it said the event would be held either in late May or early June 2026, depending on the selected location, and listed eight potential European cities. An EBAA spokesman told AIN today that there will be a forthcoming announcement on Monday, but did not specify whether or not this will address the future of the EBACE event.
Meanwhile, Benz “will lead an organizational change program…[that] will bring a leaner, more agile association closer to its members’ and its national associations’ partners,” EBAA said. “This is necessary during a period where several existential threats are emerging in regulation, resource availability, environmental policy, taxation, and access to airspace and airports.”
According to EBAA, Benz’s priorities are to create a stronger association attuned to the challenges of its members; enhance its value proposition to protect the members’ ability to operate business aircraft throughout Europe, foster collaboration, and drive impactful initiatives; implement a new membership fee structure in January; and ensure that EBACE remains “Europe’s premier business aviation event.”

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