NBAA’s Bolen Denounces President’s Attack on Business Aviation

National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) president and CEO Ed Bolen strongly condemned President Barack Obama’s remarks, made in a presidential debate last evening, disparaging business aviation and mischaracterizing the industry.

In the NBAA news release, Bolen was quoted as saying:

“At a time when both candidates claim to be putting job creation at the top of their agenda, it’s unfortunate that the President tonight denigrated the business aviation industry, which is responsible for 1.2 million American jobs and $150 billion in economic impact. The President’s comments completely mischaracterized the businesses and groups that depend on an airplane, the majority of which are small- to mid-sized businesses, farms, flight schools, medical care providers and emergency responders that use the aircraft to connect communities and grow their businesses. That’s why dozens of governors have recognized the industry’s importance, and over 100 Mayors have written the President to ask him to stop attacking it at a time when many businesses and communities are still recovering from the economic downturn.”