The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) reported that it has reached an historic milestone, with 10,000 companies in its membership for the first time ever.

“The past several years have been challenging for business aviation,” said NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen. “The fact that NBAA has reached this Membership total in difficult economic times is testimony to the continued value of business aviation, and NBAA’s important role in representing and advocating for this essential industry.”

According to Bolen, NBAA’s 10,000th member exemplifies why companies rely on business aviation. That member, TCB Air, operates a Beechcraft King Air C90A about 300 hours a year out of Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport (AZO) in Michigan. Two Midwestern manufacturing companies own the plane, and use it to transport sales, engineering and other staff to customer locations and plants throughout the U.S. The twin-turboprop is also used to bring customers to the companies’ headquarters in Kalamazoo.

NBAA was established in 1947 with 19 charter members. Today, the Association represents a diverse set of companies of all sizes across the U.S., which depend on the use of business aircraft to be more efficient, productive and successful.

To read the entire NBAA news release, click here.