GAMA, NBAA Commissioned The Document
GAMA and NBAA published a new
survey Thursday showing conclusively that some of the recent
portrayals of business aviation are inconsistent with the true
nature of the industry.
The survey, conducted for GAMA and NBAA by Harris Interactive,
depicts an industry in which the typical company is a small or
mid-sized business flying a single aircraft that is used by a broad
mix of employees to make business trips utilizing community
airports, often with little or no airline service.
"These findings stand in stark contrast to recent
mischaracterizations of business aviation operators," said GAMA
president and CEO Pete Bunce. "The reality is, companies of all
sizes rely on many different types of aircraft to be more
competitive, productive, efficient and successful."
NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen agreed, adding: "Although the
manufacture and use of business aircraft contributes significantly
to the national economy, the industry is often not well understood.
This important study will help people see the real face of business
aviation and underscore its importance to citizens, companies and
communities across the U.S."
The survey, based on interviews
conducted with pilots and passengers involved in business aircraft
flights, finds:
- Small companies operate the majority of business aircraft. Most
companies (59%) operating business aircraft have fewer than 500
employees, and seven in ten have less than 1,000 employees.
- Companies using business aviation typically operate only a
single aircraft. The majority (75%) of companies operate only one
turbine-powered aircraft.
- Managers and other mid-level employees are the typical
passengers on business aircraft. Only 22% of passengers on business
aircraft are top management (i.e., a company's Chairman, Board
Member, CEO or CFO); the majority are other managers (50%) and or
technical, sales or service staff (20%).
- Employees use their time onboard company aircraft more
effectively and productively than when they are on airline flights.
Some passengers even estimate that they are more productive on the
company aircraft than they are in the office because of fewer
distractions.
- A large majority of flights (80%) are made into secondary
airports or airports with infrequent or no scheduled airline
service.
The survey was conducted online and by mail within the United
States by Harris Interactive on behalf of GAMA and NBAA between
June 1 - October 6, 2009 among 350 Pilots, Flight Department
Mangers, and Directors of Aviation of business aircraft and 289
passengers of business aircraft. No estimates of theoretical
sampling error can be calculated; a full methodology is
available.
GAMA and NBAA commissioned the survey in an ongoing effort to
educate policymakers and opinion leaders about the value of
business aviation to citizens, companies and communities across the
U.S. The two associations' combined advocacy work takes place
through a jointly sponsored campaign, entitled "No Plane No
Gain."