Lawmakers Show Support For Business Aviation

National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) President and CEO Ed Bolen thanked Senators Pat Roberts (R-KS) and Sam Brownback (R-KS) Thursday for writing to President Barack Obama to outline the essential role of business aviation for citizens, companies and the country as a whole.

"In recent weeks, a number of mischaracterizations and misstatements have been made about business aviation," Bolen said. "We commend the senators for cutting through the over-heated rhetoric and sound bites and highlighting the true importance of business aviation to the national interest."

In their letter, the senators expressed concern over "a vital American industry that has suffered not only from global economic challenges but also from misinformed public statements.... The reality is that many businesses of all sizes rely on these aircraft to provide the most cost effective and efficient means of transportation for their business model.”

"During your address to the Joint Session of Congress, you said "This time, CEO’s won’t be able to use taxpayer money to...disappear on a private jet,'" the senators wrote. "While we understand your intent may have been to chastise companies who made irresponsible decisions with taxpayer funds provided by the Treasury Department, we are concerned that your comments may be used to fan a flame of misconception regarding the use of general aviation."

The senators' letter also notes that business aircraft provide employees with the flexibility to travel directly to smaller airports not serviced by commercial airlines, as well as the ability to conduct business while traveling. They further note that 86 percent of passengers on business aircraft are in fact not CEOs, but mid-level managers, sales representatives and technical employees.

FMI: Read The Letter, www.nbaa.org