New Harris Poll Survey Reconfirms Value of Business Aviation

Nov. 17, 2015
The survey reveals that business aviation is utilized mainly by small and medium-size companies that typically fly turboprops or small jets to maximize employee efficiency and productivity while providing travel schedule flexibility

Las Vegas, NV, Nov. 17, 2015 – The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) and General Aviation Manufacturers Association today released the results of a new Harris Poll survey that confirms once again that business aviation is utilized mainly by small and medium-size companies that typically fly turboprops or small jets to maximize employee efficiency and productivity while providing travel schedule flexibility. The poll also confirmed that a broad mix of employees – not primarily top executives – fly on business aircraft, which usually travel to community airports that usually have little or no scheduled airline service.

This most recent snapshot of business aviation – titled The Real World of Business Aviation: A 2015 Survey of Companies Using General Aviation Aircraft – was based on surveys of 323 pilots and aviation managers of turbine-powered business aircraft, as well as 132 business aircraft passengers, conducted by Harris Poll from late October through early November.

Like two similar Harris surveys conducted in 1997 and 2009, the results of the 2015 study, which are a statistically valid representation of the use of business aircraft by NBAA’s more than 10,000 member companies, show that:

  • Most companies using business aviation are small companies
  • Most companies using business aviation have only one airplane
  • More than half of the turbine-powered business airplanes flying today are turboprops or smaller jets
  • Many business aircraft are largely flown to towns with little or no airline service
  • A primary driver of business aircraft use is scheduling flexibility
  • Business aviation missions often involve multiple destinations
  • Companies use both business aircraft and the airlines as appropriate
  • Top management is on board business aircraft less than half the time
  • Employees use their time on company aircraft to be highly effective and productive
  • Many business airplanes are used to fly humanitarian missions
  • An increasing number of companies are using business aircraft to fly internationally

“This new survey makes it clear that the key elements and traditional benefits of business aviation remain essentially unchanged from the findings of the two previous surveys conducted by Harris," said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. "Perhaps most importantly, the results of this poll once again accurately portray the true nature of business aviation.”

"Companies and organizations at all levels continue to recognize and rely on the immense benefits that only general aviation can offer," GAMA President and CEO Pete Bunce said. "From helping small businesses grow to allowing aid organizations to get supplies quickly to those who need it most in times of natural disasters and medical emergencies, general aviation aircraft are essential tools, as this study demonstrates." 

The Real World of Business Aviation is part of a suite of tools, developed under the No Plan No Gain joint advocacy campaign, for use by NBAA members and other industry advocates when educating policymakers and the general public about the value of business aviation to citizens, companies and communities.

Review the survey.

About Harris Poll

For five decades, studies conducted by Harris Poll, a leading global market research firm, have reflected respondents’ opinions on a wide range of topics, from sports to health, to politics and business. With comprehensive experience and precise technique in public opinion polling, along with a proven track record of uncovering consumers’ motivations and behaviors, Harris Poll has gained strong brand recognition around the world.

About No Plane No Gain

In 2009, the National Business Aviation Association and the General Aviation Manufacturers Association launched the No Plane No Gain joint advocacy campaign to reinforce the value of business aviation to citizens, companies and communities across the country. The program takes advantage of new communication technologies while building on proven advocacy techniques. The initiative includes a dedicated web site, thorough research, paid advertising, news media interviews, online education offerings, YouTube placements, podcasts and more. For more information, visit www.noplanenogain.org.