Washington, DC, February 28, 2011 – Speaking to a major aviation policy forum in Washington, DC today, National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) President and CEO Ed Bolen said aviation would be key to defining America’s leadership in an increasingly global economy, and outlined five priorities to ensure the industry’s continued success.
“Throughout history, great economies and great countries have been defined by their transportation systems,” Bolen told attendees at a monthly lunch meeting of the Aero Club of Washington.
“In America, the 21st Century will also be defined by transportation, and the key mode will be aviation,” he continued. “The fact of the matter is, we are trading and competing in a global marketplace, and aviation remains the fastest and safest way for people from around the world to connect with one another.”
In spite of the unparalleled advantages of aviation, Bolen expressed concern that the its potential is being overlooked. “It’s been a long time since we opened up a new airport in the United States,” he said, noting that in contrast, the Chinese had opened up more than ten airports each year over the past decade.
“Looking to the future, we in the aviation community need to work through our differences, find the things that bind us together, and focus on the things galvanize us. That’s the only way we are going to ensure that America retains its global leadership in aviation.”
Bolen pointed to five priorities in that regard, including:
“Looking to the future, it’s important that our industry give unified focus to these priorities, because all segments of the aviation industry depend on one another,” Bolen said. “Equally important – in a global economy that is increasingly competitive – citizens, companies and communities will depend on aviation as never before. After all, two miles of waterway will take a boat two miles; two miles of road will take a car two miles; two miles of railway will take a train two miles. But two miles of runway will take people anywhere in the world.”
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Founded in 1947 and based in Washington, DC, the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) is the leading organization for companies that rely on general aviation aircraft to help make their businesses more efficient, productive and successful. The Association represents more than 8,000 companies and provides more than 100 products and services to the business aviation community, including the NBAA Annual Meeting & Convention, the world’s largest civil aviation trade show. Learn more about NBAA at www.nbaa.org.
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International Business Aviation Council Ltd.