NBAA’s Lucas Talks Resiliency, Sustainability of Business Aviation with Airport Reps

Sept. 14, 2021

NBAA Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, Policy and Advocacy Christa Lucas shared business aviation’s perspective on the state of the general aviation industry at the Sept. 14 American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) General Aviation Conference, focusing on the industry’s response to and recovery from the COVID pandemic, sustainability and emerging technologies.

“What we learned during the pandemic is that business aviation is resilient,” Lucas said, describing the industry’s increased focus on health-related safety issues, as well as new interest from first-time business aircraft buyers and a substantial growth in charter sales.

“Business aviation’s future is bright, but we have to focus on sustainability and be sure general aviation is well-positioned for the future,” she added.

To be well-positioned, NBAA and other groups continue advocating for a blender’s tax credit for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), which was introduced as part of the Sustainable Skies Act in May 2021. The blender’s tax credit would stimulate increased investment in SAF production, create jobs and make SAF more cost competitive.

Read more about NBAA’s support of the blender’s tax credit.

SAF is just one element of sustainability. Lucas pointed to emerging technologies as additional elements, saying electrification and hydrogen propulsion will all start to become reality in the next five to 10 years.

Lucas added that advanced air mobility aircraft manufacturers are working with NBAA on their future aircraft operations, which requires integration with airports and airspace and discussions about security issues through extensive coordination with the FAA,TSA, other state and federal agencies and traditional aviation industry representatives.

Lucas also described NBAA’s new Sustainable Flight Department Accreditation Program, which will allow flight departments to clearly demonstrate their commitment to sustainability initiatives through a third-party audit. Learn more about the program.

Lucas encouraged attendees to learn more about business aviation’s sustainability initiatives and exciting emergency technologies at the upcoming 2021 NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE), Oct. 12-14 in Las Vegas, NV.