... calls for a greater “partnership†between airports and business aviation as communities across the U.S. face decreasing passenger service by the air carriers. Brown, the senior VP of operations for the National Business Aviation Association, was speaking to airport managers at the annual meeting of the Southwest Chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives in Mesa, AZ.
“We think we’re facing the need to form a partnership with smaller communities and their airports,†says Brown. “And when it comes to security, I think there’s an opportunity for a partnership there as well.â€
Brown calls business aviation in the U.S. a “fairly mature market,†but reports that the industry segment is experiencing double-digit growth offshore. And, while the entry of very light jets into the market could in time have an impact, he says the movement is more of an evolution than a tsunami.
As part of the partnership, Brown calls on communities to use “good science†when considering restrictions to their airfields and cautions that putting restrictions on business aviation could be a detriment to their access to the air transportation network. He says there has been “way too much creativity†by some communities to hinder their airport operations, particularly in Connecticut, Florida, and California.
“As the carriers pull out of communities, there’s an opportunity for business aviation to fill the void,†says Brown.
He also advises airports that NBAA has a staff of some 85 technical support personnel who can aid communities when proposals for airfield restrictions arise, and he encourages airports to contact the association to see how the two segments can better work together in the future.
Thanks for reading. jfi
