Report from Orlando -- Post-NBAA

ORLANDO Reporting from this year's 58th annual convention hosted by the National Business Aviation Association, the overriding message is that business aviation remains robust. The bottom line assessment appears to be, as long as the overall health of the U.S. economy remains strong and corporate earnings are healthy, business aviation will continue to grow. Fixed base operators and charter companies that target business flyers continue to report that business is good. If there is a caveat, it is with the fractional ownership programs the catalyst to the boom in business aviation as many believe the product is not being priced properly. Now enter the entry level jets, or very light jets as some bill them. As anticipated, the ELJs/VLJs stole the show. Eclipse Aviation led the pack, taking orders for some 80 Eclipse 500s. Among the companies placing orders: Massachusetts-based Linear Air and U.K.-based JetSet Air, who plan to use the aircraft for short-haul on-demand and scheduled charters. With these aircraft expected to begin entering the market in 2006, it looks like the long awaited evolution of the air taxi business with lighter jets may soon become a reality. With that reality come questions (impact on air traffic control) and opportunities (for airports, communities). Among the in-depth interviews conducted by AIRPORT BUSINESS at this year's show were those with top executives from Signature Flight Support and Million Air. Both companies are looking at new, perhaps unconventional, ways to grow their businesses. The teasers: Signature may consider acquiring FBOs but not putting the Signature brand on the signage, leaving in place a successful company with its own strong customer following; at Million Air, it's the exporting of its FBO management expertise to other operations and airports that is a growing focus. More from these interviews in our January issue. The folks at NBAA deserve kudos for pulling off a last minute change in venue for its industry-leading event, from New Orleans to Orlando. And, as one exhibitor aptly pointed out, vendors and attendees should be congratulated as well for their ability to adapt to make the event a success. That said, the overall flow of the show was a bit off, possibly explained by a sense that many attendees may have spent one day at the show instead of the two or more they had planned for New Orleans. Thanks for reading. Comments are welcomed. Please fill out the form below.