NBAA: Language in Auto Assistance Package Could Have Unintended Consequences

Contact: Dan Hubbard at (202) 783-9360 or dhubbard@nbaa.org

Washington, DC, December 10, 2008 – National Aviation Business Association (NBAA) President and CEO Ed Bolen today expressed his concern that language regarding the use of business aviation, as included in a proposed auto industry financial assistance package being considered by the U.S. House of Representatives, could have unintended consequences.

In a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Bolen points out that the language in the bill regarding business aviation “appears to prohibit the use of business aviation in ALL situations, including when it is the sole mode of transportation available to a business, or it is the most prudent and cost-effective solution to a given transportation challenge.”

Bolen’s letter continues: “While we understand the intent of Congress to address a specific situation dealing with the auto industry, we believe that the broad wording of the provision could be misinterpreted as suggesting that Congress does not recognize the critical importance of this mode of transportation to the success of U.S. businesses facing unprecedented international competition, the economic development of small towns and rural communities, and the jobs of hundreds of thousands of U.S. workers.”       

The letter reminds Speaker Pelosi of the many reasons that businesses and communities rely on business aviation; cited in the letter were some of the following:

Bolen’s letter also points out that the business aviation community is comprised of a diverse composite of hundreds of thousands of people: “These workers include schedulers, dispatchers, maintenance technicians, pilots, training professionals, insurers, and many other disciplines.” Bolen further notes, “Congress should recognize that these are good jobs, performed by good people. The work they do matters to the companies they work for, the communities they live in, and our nation as a whole.”

Bolen concludes his letter by pointing out that the Association understands the importance of strong federal stewardship of any federal monies provided to the U.S. auto companies. “However,” the letter asserts, “We urge you to craft this legislation in a manner which does not inadvertently harm another critical U.S. industry. We want to be careful not to hurt the ability of American companies to do the things that allow them to keep people working and to compete.”

Founded in 1947 and based in Washington, DC, the National Business Aviation Association, Inc. (NBAA) is the leading organization for companiesthat rely on general aviation aircraft to help make their businesses more efficient, productive and successful. The Association represents more than8,000 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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