The Alliance for Aviation Across America today issued the following statement in response to comments about business aviation in President Joe Biden’s State of the Union Address.
“The President’s comments unfairly singled out the business aviation industry — an industry that supports an economic impact of $247 billion and 1.2 million American jobs,” said Devin Osting, interim executive director of the Alliance for Aviation Across America.
“Aside from the rhetoric, the reality is that business aviation is a tool that allows companies to operate more efficiently and in rural and small markets that would otherwise present logistical challenges.
The use of business aviation is diverse, Osting added, noting that most companies using business aircraft are small and mid-size companies. These companies utilize business aviation to maintain a full and flexible schedule of meetings, especially in regions where other travel options are limited or time-consuming; to make multiple stops within a single business-travel mission; or, to carry specialized equipment or demonstration materials.
Companies that utilize business aircraft are often in manufacturing, agriculture, construction and similar sectors, and passengers aboard the aircraft are typically middle managers or technical specialists.
“Additionally, several studies have demonstrated that companies of all sizes utilizing business aviation outperform comparable companies that do not, across numerous standard business metrics including asset efficiency, shareholder value and overall growth.
“The President’s comments tonight unfortunately reinforce an inaccurate stereotype of business aviation, which is essential to the nation’s economy and transportation system.”
Formed in 2007, the Alliance for Aviation Across America is a non-profit, non-partisan coalition of over 7,000 individuals representing businesses, agricultural groups, FBO’s, small airports, elected officials, charitable organizations, and leading business and aviation groups that support the interests of the general aviation community across various public policy issues.