NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen is encouraged that business aviation is heading into 2021 with “some helpful tailwinds,” including new people flying private for the first time, strengthening economic forecasts, and advancements in sustainability. Speaking during an NBAA podcast, Bolen, however, conceded that the challenges of the lingering pandemic have forced the association to cancel its in-person events in the first half.
“2021 has not unfolded as we would have drawn up on a chalkboard,” Bolen noted, pointing to the slower rollout of vaccines and new variants of the virus. But while NBAA felt it prudent to cancel its live events planned in the first six months, he said, the association has the opportunity to bring key information to the business community through virtual platforms. “We certainly have some very good platforms,” he said, adding this will facilitate continued communications on a range of issues.
And, noting the resiliency of the industry, he said, “we bring into the New Year some momentum and certainly a lot of optimism.” Bolen pointed to the significant number of people who have been introduced to business aviation for the first time during the pandemic and now have an understanding that it is a flexible and safe way to reach destinations. The industry needs to ensure that these people have a good experience and remain part of business aviation, he added.
Also, Bolen noted the continued predictions for economic growth, which he says typically accompanies increased demand for transportation. “Business aviation may actually be a leading indicator for economic recovery,” he said.
Encouraging further, Bolen added, was the “enormous progress,” being made on sustainability. NBAA, working with industry partners, has engaged in a global awareness campaign of the benefits of sustainable aviation fuel, including demonstrations, education sessions, and a summit that took place last year. “Our awareness efforts have really made enough progress that we’re now focusing on availability and adoption,” he stated, noting 2021 already has seen a number of partnerships and other efforts to bring sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to airports. “It’s been a remarkable year so far.”
Bolen also pointed to the rapid progress being made on the technology front, calling it a historic time for such activity. He cited advancements and investments in eVTOLs, supersonic aircraft, and commercial space launches. New technologies are progressing on electric, hydrogen, and hybrid power, as well as on the automation front, he said, pointing to Garmin’s Autoland technology as an example.
This all has come as the industry last year smoothly transitioned to the ADS-B environment, which is helping spawn new technologies that improve safety and efficiency.
“There’s so much about last year that was challenging, unwanted, and unwelcome,” he said but added, in the face of that, “it really demonstrated that we’re an industry that is resilient, innovative and we’re all in this together.”
As for 2020, Bolen said the industry relied on its history of collaboration to navigate through a difficult year. This stretched from managing through the ATC tower closures that occurred early in the pandemic to isolating pilot and maintenance technician crews through the use of bubbles. “In the business aviation community, there is a lot of experience with sharing experiences, learning from others, and finding a way to get things done effectively, efficiently, and safely. That really helped prepare us for going into a year that was dominated by Covid.”
