IBAC

What IBAC does

IBAC (International Business Aviation Council) is a non-profit international trade association founded in 1981 and headquartered in Montreal, Canada, that represents the global business aviation industry through its 14 regional member associations spanning North America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and Oceania. The organization holds official observer status at the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and develops two flagship voluntary safety standards: IS-BAO (International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations, launched 2002) for business aircraft operators and IS-BAH (International Standard for Business Aircraft Handling, launched 2014) for ground-handling service providers, both of which provide Safety Management System frameworks aligned with ICAO requirements and have been recognized in ICAO's Global Aviation Safety Plan.

The commercial product portfolio comprises the IS-BAO/IS-BAH registration programmes (Stage 1/FlightPlan through Progressive Stage 3), the IBAC Crew Card aircrew identification programme (priced at $100 with a 2-year validity, in market since 1985 and aligned with ICAO Annex 9 / Document 9303), the IBAC EX Carbon Credit Exchange (in partnership with CTX), the Conklin & de Decker CO2 Calculator integration, the CORE Risk Management pathway (introduced 2025), and a training catalogue including Fundamentals/Auditor workshops, the IS-BAO Protocol Standardization (IPS) self-paced course, RPAS auditor training (with the Unmanned Safety Institute), and the recurring SafetyNet webinar series.

Revenue is generated through five streams: membership dues from 14 member associations, IS-BAO/IS-BAH registration and renewal fees, Crew Card sales (including shipping fees of $50/$75), Industry Partner Programme fees (31 organizations across five continents as of May 2026), and workshop/training fees. Distribution relies on the federation of regional member associations (NBAA, EBAA, AsBAA, CBAA, JBAA, MEBAA, ABAG, AfBAA, etc.), direct online sales via portal.ibac.org, and event presence at NBAA-BACE, EBACE, LABACE, and MEBAA. Named enterprise customers span operators (Phoenix Air Unmanned, Metrojet, Joby Aviation, Jet Aviation) and corporate flight departments (DuPont, GCI Communications), but the underlying customer base is structurally a long-tail of operators, FBOs, and crew members rather than concentrated enterprise accounts.

Name

IBAC

Legal name

International Business Aviation Council Ltd

Website

https://ibac.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

IBAC is a non-profit international trade association founded in 1981 and headquartered in Montreal that develops globally recognized voluntary safety standards (IS-BAO, IS-BAH), crew identification (Crew Card), and sustainability tools for the worldwide business aviation industry through its 14 regional member associations and ICAO observer status.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aviation Safety Standards and Certification

NAICS

Other Support Activities for Air Transportation (488190), Airport Operations (48811)

SIC

Airports, Flying Fields & Airport Terminal Services (4581)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAOAFAE

Aircraft Inspection, Quality Assurance & Airworthiness (IA Prep)

Education/Vocational, Technical & Trade Education/Aviation Maintenance & Repair (AMT)

Keywords

• Aviation safety standards
• Business aviation association
• IS-BAO certification
• Ground handling standards
• Aircrew identification

Headquarters

HQ city

Montréal

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: IBAC operates as a non-profit international trade association. Revenue is generated through membership fees from 14 member associations representing business aviation sectors worldwide. Organizations must be members of IBAC member associations to access certain programmes.
2. IS-BAO and IS-BAH Registration Fees: Fees for safety standard registration programmes including IS-BAO (International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations) and IS-BAH (International Standard for Business Aircraft Handling). Operators and ground handlers pay registration and renewal fees to achieve and maintain standards certification.
3. Crew Card Sales: IBAC Crew Cards are sold for $100 with a 2-year expiration period. Replacement cards are available for $50 each. Cards provide crew identification and travel benefits through ID90 Travel partnership.
4. Workshop and Training Fees: Revenue from IS-BAO and IS-BAH workshops including Fundamentals and Auditor courses. Training is offered in both virtual and in-person formats.
5. Industry Partner Programme: Annual programme fees from Industry Partners including manufacturers, service providers, and operators who join to participate in IBAC advocacy efforts and standards development.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

IBAC is a non-profit international trade association that develops and manages globally recognized voluntary safety standards — IS-BAO for business aircraft operators and IS-BAH for ground handling service providers — and offers the IBAC Crew Card aircrew identification programme, the CORE risk management pathway, and sustainability tools (Carbon Calculator and IBAC EX Carbon Credit Exchange). It operates as the unified global voice for business aviation through 14 member associations and holds official observer status at ICAO, providing advocacy, training workshops, certification registration, and industry representation to operators and ground handlers worldwide.

Product overview

IBAC (International Business Aircraft Council) is a non-profit international trade association representing business aviation worldwide. The organization offers a portfolio of safety standards programs (IS-BAO and IS-BAH), identity/credential products (Crew Card), sustainability tools (Carbon Calculator, IBAC EX Carbon Credit Exchange), professional development (workshops, webinars, training courses), and risk management solutions (CORE). IS-BAO is the primary safety standard for business aircraft operators with a three-stage progressive framework, while IS-BAH serves ground handling service providers. The Crew Card provides ICAO-aligned aircrew identification. IBAC's sustainability offerings include a CO2 calculator with Conklin & de Decker integration and a carbon credit exchange powered by CTX. Training offerings include workshops, the IS-BAO Protocol Standardization course, and RPAS auditor training. The organization also provides webinars, advocacy resources, and an Industry Partner Programme.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• IS-BAO: International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations - a globally recognized voluntary safety standard for business aircraft operators
• IS-BAH
• Crew Card
• CORE
• IBAC EX

Products and services

• IS-BAO (International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations) A globally recognized voluntary safety standard for business aircraft operators, featuring a three-stage progressive program (Stage 1/FlightPlan, Stage 2, and Progressive Stage 3) that establishes a framework for effective safety and operational processes and delivers a Safety Management System (SMS) appropriate to all operational profiles.
• IS-BAH (International Standard for Business Aircraft Handling) A ground-handling safety standard designed to enhance the safety and efficiency of business and general aviation Ground Handling Service Providers (GHSP) globally. It is the first industry standard to bring the SMS concept to ground handling and enables handlers to conform to the ICAO SMS framework. Has surpassed 300 registered locations worldwide.
• IBAC Crew Card An internationally recognized aircrew identification card widely recognized by airport security and facilitation officials worldwide. Aligned with ICAO Annex 9 and Document 9303, featuring a bar code system with origination details. Includes ID90 Travel membership benefits. Cards cost $100 with a 2-year expiration period; replacements are $50 each.
• IBAC EX (Carbon Credit Exchange) A carbon credit exchange platform launched in partnership with Carbon Trade eXchange (CTX), providing the business aviation community a reliable resource for real-time offsetting to reduce its carbon footprint. Platform hosted at offsetflights.com and offers certified carbon credits allowing organizations to choose from hundreds of offset projects.
• IBAC Industry Partner Programme A program that encourages participation and support from business aviation manufacturers, service providers, and operators as Industry Partners and Operator Affiliates. Provides opportunity to assist IBAC in shaping standards before adoption as regulations, work with 14 member associations, and participate in advisory committees.
• CORE Risk Management A risk management pathway introduced at EBACE 2025 to help business aviation operators manage and mitigate operational risks.
• IS-BAO/IS-BAH Workshops and Training Comprehensive training programs including Fundamentals and Auditor courses for both IS-BAO and IS-BAH standards. Workshops are an integral part of achieving IS-BAO or IS-BAH registration. Fundamentals covers SMS implementation based on ICAO principles; Auditor course includes SMS performance validation training. Offered in virtual and in-person formats.
• IS-BAO Protocol Standardization (IPS) Course An advanced online educational course developed in partnership with Aviation Safety Solutions, designed for business aircraft operators, safety managers, and auditors. Features a step-by-step intuitive approach to review each IS-BAO section with explanations for every protocol requirement. Takes approximately 7 hours to complete with 12-month access.
• Carbon Calculator A tool developed in partnership with Conklin & de Decker (a JSSI company) to help business aircraft operators determine their carbon emissions for offsetting needs. Includes hundreds of business aviation aircraft makes and models (fixed and rotor-wing) and calculates emissions in metric tonnes along with associated offset costs.
• SAF Map A resource showing Sustainable Aviation Fuel availability locations to support business aviation operators in finding and accessing SAF.
• SafetyNet Webinar Series A recurring webinar series covering safety topics for IS-BAO operators. Recordings available on YouTube. Sessions cover topics such as fatigue risk management, normalization of deviance, and safety culture.
• IS-BAO RPAS Auditor Training Course A training program developed in partnership with Unmanned Safety Institute (USI) for auditing Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems operations under the IS-BAO standard. Provides auditors with RPAS training necessary to perform audits on operators of small Unmanned Aircraft Systems in Visual Line of Sight Operations.

Quantifiable outcome

• IS-BAH programme reached 300 registered locations globally since 2014
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered major, minor and core.

• Polaris AeromajorTechnology or Integration · 25 June 2026Programme Support Affiliate (PSA) that integrated IS-BAO standards and protocols into its VOCUS safety management system, providing operators with seamless audit tracking and standard conformity management.
• Dyami Security IntelligenceminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 July 2024Collaboration to introduce Business Aviation Security Fundamentals course for IS-BAO and IS-BAH safety programmes. Course scheduled for September 10-11, 2024.
• Aviation Safety SolutionsmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 June 2023Partnership to deliver IS-BAO Protocol Standardization (IPS) course - a user-friendly, self-paced online educational offering. Course uses step-by-step intuitive approach to review each IS-BAO section with explanations for every protocol requirement. Takes 7 hours to complete with 12-month access.
• ID90 TravelmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 10 April 2023Partnership providing travel benefits to IBAC Crew Card holders. ID90 Travel offers members exclusive rates on hotels, all-inclusive resorts, cruises, rental cars, and last-minute deals through their mobile app with access to 1.8 million hotels.
• ICAO ACT-SAF ProgrammecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 March 2023IBAC partnered with ICAO's Assistance, Capacity-building, and Training for Sustainable Aviation Fuels initiative (ACT-SAF). Signed by IBAC Director General Kurt Edwards and ICAO Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar. IBAC works with ICAO and other ACT-SAF participants to expand SAF development and use for operators worldwide.
• European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) Young AmbassadorsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 May 2022Collaboration on S.T.A.R.S. programme (Standards & Training for Aviation Responsibility and Sustainability) launched at EBACE 2022. Initiative takes holistic approach to sustainability including social topics such as workplace diversity, gender equality, and inclusion.
• Unmanned Safety Institute (USI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 April 2022Partnership to develop and implement IS-BAO Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) auditor training programme. USI creates training content with coursework materials and online learning management system for global implementation. IBAC requires RPAS auditor training as part of its auditor credentialing programmes.
• Carbon Trade eXchange (CTX)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 March 2022Partnership to provide IBAC Carbon Credit Exchange (IBAC EX) - a transparent and efficient platform for business aviation companies to voluntarily purchase carbon credits to offset CO2 emissions. The A.C.E. programme offers real-time carbon credit purchasing. IBAC purchased carbon credits through CTX to offset travel to NBAA BACE 2024.
• Conklin & de Decker (JSSI company)majorTechnology or Integration · 21 March 2022CO2 Calculator integration providing access on IBAC and CTX websites. The calculator includes hundreds of business aviation aircraft makes and models to determine emissions in metric tonnes and calculate offset costs on per hour, per trip, per seat, or per year basis.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights8 records

Others

• Helicopter Association International (HAI): International trade association for the helicopter industry running its own safety accreditation programmes (e.g., HAIGreen). Provides a comparable peer model for how vertical-specific trade associations build standards and training revenue.
• Aviation Safety Solutions: Aviation training and SMS consultancy that co-developed IBAC's IS-BAO Protocol Standardization (IPS) course. Comparable as a specialist provider competing for the same operator-training wallet that funds IBAC's workshops and webinars.
• Conklin & de Decker: Aviation data and cost-analysis firm (JSSI company) that supplies IBAC's Carbon Calculator. Comparable as an aviation-data/SaaS provider whose tools underpin business aviation decision-making adjacent to IBAC's operator base.

Regional players

• European Business Aviation Association (EBAA): Regional counterpart of IBAC in Europe and a Governing Board member. Operates parallel advocacy, training, and sustainability programmes (e.g., S.T.A.R.S.) that overlap with IBAC's IS-BAO, IS-BAH, and CLIMBING.FAST initiatives, making it the most direct regional peer.
• Asian Business Aviation Association (AsBAA): Regional business aviation association covering Asia and a Governing Board member of IBAC. Comparable regional advocacy and standards-promotion role to EBAA and IBAC's regional structure.

Direct peers

• National Business Aviation Association (NBAA): The leading US business aviation association and a member of IBAC's Governing Board. NBAA represents the same operator base IBAC serves, runs overlapping advocacy and safety programmes, and is a key distribution channel for IS-BAO/IS-BAH in North America.
• National Air Transportation Association (NATA): US trade association representing aviation service businesses including FBOs and ground handlers — directly overlapping IBAC's IS-BAH target segment and offering competing safety programmes and advocacy for the same operator base.
• Flight Safety Foundation: Independent, non-profit aviation safety organisation that produces global safety standards, research, and training across commercial and business aviation — directly comparable to IBAC's safety standards and advisory mandate.

Broad incumbents

• Airports Council International (ACI): Global trade body representing airports worldwide. Overlaps with IBAC's IS-BAH work because ground-handling services are delivered at airports, and ACI's APEX safety programme competes for the same standards-adoption budget from handling organisations.
• International Air Transport Association (IATA): Global trade association for scheduled commercial airlines that also operates the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) standard — a structurally similar 'voluntary safety standard → de facto mandate' model that competes for regulatory mind-share and auditor pools.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@ibacbizav
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ibacbizav1

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about IBAC