NBAA Champions Business Aviation Growth in Meetings Among U.S., Asian Aviation Officials

November 7, 2012

For over a week, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) hosted a “trade mission” of senior government officials from Asian aviation authorities that began in Orlando at NBAA‘s 65th Annual Meeting & Convention (NBAA2012) and concluded with a day-long workshop in Washington, all aimed at fostering opportunities for general aviation in Asia.

Delegations from among the 21 Pacific Rim nations that make up Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) took part in NBAA2012, toured Gulfstream Aviation in Savannah, GA and held the Washington workshop in cooperation with USTDA and the U.S. Department of Transportation. Participants in the workshop included aviation representatives from China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines.

NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen spoke on a panel about the role of business aviation in economic and tourism development, telling workshop attendees that, “business aviation provides a very important competitive advantage for U.S. companies competing in global markets.”

By way of illustration, he pointed to studies showing that companies using a business airplane outperform their non-business-aviation competitors, and that companies rely on a business airplane when it makes sense for a mission, such as when there is the need to reach a remote location without airline service, or to make multiple stops in a single day, to business discussions en route without concerns about corporate espionage, or to transport products that cannot be accommodated on a commercial airline.

Bolen and other business aviation industry leaders also took part in panel discussions about business aviation safety, open access for business aviation in Asia, and regulatory frameworks and agreements with Pacific Rim nations, all aimed at sharing information and facilitating the industry‘s development in these growing nations.

At those panels, Bolen observed: “Business aviation has been part of the U.S. aviation experience for many decades,” and as a result, the industry has a long history of experience in managing business flight operations, safety protocols, and operational standards. For example,” Bolen continued, “while we don‘t have identical regulations as scheduled airlines, we do have equivalent safety records.”

Working with aviation industry and government representatives around the world – not only at major events, but throughout the year – is part of NBAA‘s continuing commitment to promoting the growth and development of business aviation around the world.

Conferences like the Washington workshop augment annual events, including the Asian Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (ABACE), the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE) and NBAA‘s Annual Meeting & Convention in the U.S.

“Business aviation in Asia will evolve in new and different ways,” Bolen explained. “The industry will reflect Asian cultures” and Asian business operational needs. “We are here to share our experiences with you, knowing that you will apply them as appropriate in Asia,” he concluded.