NBAA Chief: 'Consequential' Change Coming for Bizav

“With a new U.S. Congress and President, consequential change is in the air for the business aviation industry,” NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen said at the association’s recent business aviation regional forum at Florida's Palm Beach International Airport. “However, we must make our voices heard to make that change our friend.”

Bolen said many challenges remain for the industry, most notably FAA reauthorization that airlines are pushing to include provisions for a privatized air traffic control system and aviation user fees. While he noted that privatization is good for some things, “It is not for ATC since it is a natural monopoly. And the airlines, which have a history of driving out competition, want to control that monopoly. We, on the other hand, want access for all.”

To ensure that any changes do not negatively affect the industry, “Our community must be active and engaged. Everyone must do their part,” Bolen said. Thus, he urged those in the industry to use the NBAA’s Contact Congress page to reach out to their representatives in Washington, D.C., as well as use the #BizavWorks hashtag on social media to promote the “good things our industry does.”