About the session

The Expert Network on General Aviation is an international platform that brings together law enforcement, border and customs authorities, aviation specialists and policy experts to address the misuse of general aviation by organised crime groups. As criminal networks increasingly exploit private aircraft, helicopters, drones and other non-commercial aviation channels to traffic drugs, move illicit funds and circumvent traditional controls, the need for coordinated responses has become more pressing. The session provides a forum for participants to exchange operational experience, identify emerging threats, share innovative practices and strengthen cross-border cooperation. Through dialogue, intelligence-sharing and practical collaboration, the network supports efforts to enhance aviation security and disrupt criminal activities across jurisdictions.

The 7th Expert Network Session on General Aviation, held in Strasbourg on 10–11 June 2026, focussed on the evolving role of general aviation in facilitating drug trafficking and related criminal activities, with particular attention to emerging smuggling methods, risk indicators and opportunities for enhanced international co-operation. Participants explored data-driven approaches to detection and monitoring, examined recent operational cases, and discussed ways to strengthen communication between authorities and private-sector stakeholders.

  Day 1: Wednesday, 10 June

09:00 Registration of participants

09:30 Welcome addresses

  • Ms Christiane Schimeck, Head of the Health and Addictions Department and Executive Secretary of the Pompidou Group
  • Mr Tony Verachtert, Chair of the Expert Network on General Aviation, Belgium

09:50 State of Play in General Aviation

 09:50 – 11:00  Tour de Table 1 – based on questionnaire / mentimeter

  • All participants

 11:00 – 11:30  Coffee Break

 11:30 – 12:15  Tour de Table Part 2 – based on questionnaire / mentimeter

  • All participants

 12:15 – 12:30  Summary and conclusion on State of Play 

  • Mr Tony Verachtert, Chair of the Expert Network on General Aviation, Belgium

 12:30 – 14:00  Lunch break

14:00 Pilot initiatives in General Aviation

 14:00 – 14:20  SPAVIS project

 14:20 – 14:40  The abuse of General Aviation for nefarious purposes from an Irish perspective

 14:40 – 15:00  S.A.L.T Project (Drug smuggling via Sea, Air, Land and Train)

 15:00 – 15:20  Project SENN-AVI (Benelux) – Barriere model

 15:20 – 15:30  Q&A

 15:30 – 16:00  Coffee break

 16:00 – 16:30  GA Multi-Agency Hub (GAMAH)

 16:30 – 16:45  Feasibility study on travel information for private flights

 16:45 – 16:50  Q&A

 16:50 – 17:00  Closing day 1

  • Mr Tony Verachtert, Chair of the Expert Network on General Aviation, Belgium

  Day 2: Thursday, 11 June

10:00 Opening day 2

  • Mr Tony Verachtert, Chair of the Expert Network on General Aviation, Belgium

10:10 Challenges in General Aviation Operations – Case studies and frameworks

 10:10 – 10:35  Evaluation of Operation Silent Skies I and II

 10:35 – 11:00  Judicial perspective on general aviation investigations

 11:00 – 11:30  Coffee break

 11:30 – 11:55  Case Studies on Drug Trafficking via General Aviation in Portugal

 11:55 – 12:20  Framework on Organised Crime Related to Drug Trafficking (OC-DT) – Guidelines

 12:20 – 12:30  Q&A

 12:30 – 14:00  Lunch break

14:00 International co-operation and way forward in General Aviation

 14:00 – 14:20  Supporting investigations concerning drugs trafficking via private planes

 14:20 – 14:50  EMPACT OA 1.2 – General Aviation

 14:50 – 15:20  Latest trends in General Aviation investigations

 15:20 – 15:30  Q&A

 15:30 – 16:00  Coffee break

 16:00 – 16:45  Discussion on formation of a working group tasked with development, management, and dissemination of a SPOC (Single Point of Contact) list

 16:45 – 17:00  Concluding remarks

  • Mr Tony Verachtert, Chair of the Expert Network on General Aviation, Belgium