Aug. 15, 2023
When Axios published an article about flight tracking, which failed to include policymakers’ long-standing, bipartisan support for protecting everyone’s fundamental right to privacy, no matter the mode of transportation, NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen responded immediately.
“Congress and the FAA have long understood the obligation to protect citizens from the very real hazards that can result from real-time tracking of people’s movements. After all, the government doesn’t shadow drivers’ auto commutes, or their passage through tollways, for digital broadcast,” Bolen noted. “Similarly, people shouldn’t be required to surrender their right to privacy just because they board an aircraft to serve clients, manage far-flung company facilities or compete in a global marketplace, often from towns without easy access to airline flights.”
After initially publishing the article without comment from NBAA, Axios added in the association’s comments stating, Congress has an understanding that “you shouldn’t have to surrender basic security protections because you board an airplane.”
Letter to the Editor
Aug. 14, 2023
Dear Editor,
Your story about the work of Congress on a Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill (“Congress may let jet owners like Elon Musk block flight info,” Aug. 11) gives short shrift to policymakers’ long-standing, bipartisan support for protecting everyone’s fundamental right to privacy, no matter the mode of transportation.
For more than a decade, since the inception of FAA’s enhanced, and open-source air traffic control surveillance system, Congress has wisely reaffirmed the need for people aboard small business airplanes to opt out from having their movements tracked online, in real time, by anyone, anywhere in the world, with any motive. Technology has made this kind of flight-stalking all too common, trampling citizens’ basic rights to privacy and safety in the process.
Congress and the FAA have long understood the obligation to protect citizens from the very real hazards that can result from real-time tracking of people’s movements. After all, the government doesn’t shadow drivers’ auto commutes, or their passage through tollways, for digital broadcast. Similarly, people shouldn’t be required to surrender their right to privacy just because they board an aircraft to serve clients, manage far-flung company facilities or compete in a global marketplace, often from towns without easy access to airline flights.
Just as business aviation is an essential industry, it is also essential to ensure Americans have freedom of mobility without compromising security. Congress recognizes these realities; it’s unfortunate your article failed to do so.
Sincerely,
Ed Bolen
President and CEO
National Business Aviation Association
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.