Advocacy is central to NBAA’s mission, and the first half of 2026 has demonstrated exactly why sustained, tenacious engagement remains vital to advancing business aviation’s interests in Washington, DC, and across the country.
From Capitol Hill to state legislatures, this year’s policy debates have directly affected our industry, touching aviation safety, air traffic control modernization, taxation and other issues critical to business aviation’s future.
While NBAA serves as business aviation’s tireless advocate, our legislative and regulatory efforts are most effective when you stand with us. Our influence is strengthened by an active, engaged and mobilized membership.
We recently saw that power in action with House approval of the bipartisan ALERT Act, important legislation designed to strengthen aviation safety through enhanced collision-mitigation technologies and improved operational procedures. Equally important, the bill will bring together technical experts, including members of NBAA’s Safety Committee, to help ensure business aviation’s interests are represented as the legislation moves toward implementation.
Our collective voice is also helping shape how Congress and the FAA modernize the nation’s aviation system. Following last year’s landmark $12.5 billion congressional down payment, work is underway to deploy new telecommunications and radar infrastructure, modern air traffic technology tools and additional controllers. Government leaders are also seeking input from NBAA’s Emerging Technologies Committee to help ensure new technologies serve all stakeholders.
“While NBAA serves as business aviation’s tireless advocate, our legislative and regulatory efforts are most effective when you stand with us. ”
On these and many other issues, NBAA’s Capitol Hill Days remain an industry gold standard. Twice each year, NBAA brings delegations of business aviation professionals from across the country to Washington for meetings with their congressional representatives. Scores of members answer the call. This level of grassroots engagement is a hallmark of highly effective associations, and your participation is a key reason these efforts succeed.
A united industry voice is equally important outside the nation’s capital. Recently, in partnership with regional allies and hundreds of NBAA members, we successfully won repeal of a burdensome aircraft tax that was scheduled to take effect in Washington state.
Advocacy also played a prominent role at several NBAA events in 2026:
- At the NBAA Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference, we hosted local civic leaders for an airport tour and briefing on the serious threat posed by the potential closure of Cleveland Burke Lakefront Airport (BKL).
- In Florida, at the NBAA Opa-locka Regional Forum, city council members and other elected officials joined us to discuss and celebrate the benefits business aviation brings to their communities.
In both Cleveland and Miami, we demonstrated the important role business aviation plays in driving job creation, economic development and business growth.
These victories underscore a simple reality: advocacy works. The progress we are seeing today is the direct result of engaged members, persistent advocacy, strong industry partnerships and a shared commitment to ensuring business aviation continues to thrive. Thank you for your continued support.
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.