Dec. 6, 2019
When a recent Reuters article mischaracterized business aviation, NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen responded with the facts about the industry.
“Your article waves off the fact that the vast majority of use – which is for business – is based on the ability of the asset to greatly optimize efficiency, productivity, flexibility and ultimately competitiveness. With business aviation, employees can reach several locations in a single day, respond to strategic opportunities and serve key customers more quickly – all of which enhance competition and shareholder value in an increasingly global marketplace,” said Bolen.
Read Bolen’s letter in its entirety.
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Dear Editor,
Your recent article (“Off the radar” 12/2) unfortunately left out several important points about S&P companies’ use of business aviation.
First, to put into perspective your coverage of non-business use of the aircraft: such flights – which account for a relatively small amount of the total usage of a business airplane – are made with approval by a company board for a variety of understandable reasons: the risk-management profile of the enterprise; the need to have key personnel quickly available; and employee security, among other concerns.
However, and more importantly, your article waves off the fact that the vast majority of use – which is for business – is based on the ability of the asset to greatly optimize efficiency, productivity, flexibility and ultimately competitiveness. With business aviation, employees can reach several locations in a single day, respond to strategic opportunities and serve key customers more quickly – all of which enhance competition and shareholder value in an increasingly global marketplace.
Finally, the use of a business airplane is not just a matter of efficiency, but of access: more than 5,000 airports serve thousands of communities across the country, and only about 30 of those airports serve the majority of airline traffic. That means, for many successful companies in rural areas, business aviation is not just a smart travel option, but often the only one.
In short, the reason companies choose to utilize an aircraft is that it’s a good business decision. It’s unfortunate that your article led readers to believe otherwise.
Sincerely,
Ed Bolen
President and CEO
National Business Aviation Association
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.