As of the writing of this column, we do not yet know who will be leading the country in 2025, but we can be certain that it will be a new Administration and that other changes are imminent. The common thread among programming at NATA’s upcoming Aviation Business Conference is industry change – whether it be anticipated, currently taking place, or much needed. Our roles as industry experts and educators will be central to our responsibilities in the coming months.
NATA maintains its long-time position that private business should be the first option to provide safe, high-quality services at our nation’s airports. History has shown the value of private airport investment, with thousands of aircraft service facilities funded and built throughout the country. Our 135 members rely on access to thousands of airports across the country, many not serviced by the airlines, to support their business. These service facilities act as catalysts, creating jobs and providing the services and support local businesses need to utilize aviation to expand their markets and grow their business. Bringing important infrastructure and air assets to life-and-death missions around the world, business aviation supports the collection and delivery of much-needed emergency supplies and provides critical rescue and medical airlift.
We continue to provide forums for airport operators and their tenants to explore opportunities to realize the mutual success they will achieve as business partners in advancing an airport’s mission of economic and social sustainability in the surrounding community. NATA’s focus is on fostering long-term strategic partnerships for its more than 200 general aviation airport members that lower barriers to innovation, progress, and profitability. Thriving airports mean thriving local communities as well as a healthy industry.
Sustained education is critical to the success of new industry technologies and advancements. Infrastructure, community confidence, and support have been key to conversations surrounding AAM implementation and transitioning to unleaded aviation fuel. A thorough understanding of the risks, but more importantly, the rewards of moving to more sustainable, efficient modes of transportation is needed.
As the key connection between fuel providers, airports, and state and federal regulators/legislators, we’ve remained active in discussions on the relevancy and value of an industry consensus standard in providing confidence in introducing new fuels across the supply chain.
NATA has also supported various events advancing dialogs on the public acceptance of new aircraft and creating awareness of the support and infrastructure that will be required, including safety considerations which was a topic at our recent Ground Handling Safety Symposium in Dallas.
With the industry continuing to face a dynamic regulatory landscape, NATA has intensified its collaboration with the FAA, TSA, and other key agencies to ensure that our members’ voices are heard, and their needs are considered. NATA has been particularly active in addressing issues related to Part 5 SMS implementation; proposed changes to the Part 110 definitions of “scheduled,” “on demand,” and “supplemental”; TSA’s proposed changes to the Twelve-Five Standard Security Program; and concerns surrounding illegal charter activity and reporting.
As regulatory, environmental, and political uncertainty abounds, NATA is leading, listening, and collaborating by:
• providing platforms for important dialog and information sharing,
• communicating our members’ safety record and describing their operating environment,
• assessing unintended consequences, making those known, preparing our members,
• and ensuring our members’ perspectives are considered,
• educating our members and developing resources to improve safety and business success,
• collaborating with other stakeholders in the ecosystem,
• supporting a team of experts who are at your service,
• providing business and regulatory intelligence, and
• partnering with leading service providers who are expanding NATA’s suite of benefits and adding value to your membership through our new Partner+ program.
We encourage you to stay connected and informed through NATA’s Aviation Business Conference in Nashville from November 12-13, our active committee structure, and our communications. No matter what changes we face in the coming months, you can rely on NATA’s support and leadership as you have for the past 85 years.
