March 1, 2011 NBAA's Bolen Urges Aviation Investment |
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By Mary Grady, Contributing editor
The U.S. must invest in aviation to ensure future economic growth, National Business Aviation Association CEO Ed Bolen told the Aero Club of Washington, D.C., this week. Aviation will be key to ensuring America's leadership in an increasingly global economy, he said. "Throughout history, great economies and great countries have been defined by their transportation systems," Bolen said. "In America, the 21st Century will also be defined by transportation, and the key mode will be aviation." Bolen outlined five priorities he felt the aviation community must support: FAA reauthorization, funding for NextGen, reduction in aircraft emissions, a continued emphasis on security, and a robust General Fund for aviation.
Bolen expressed concern that the potential of aviation to drive economic growth is being overlooked. "It's been a long time since we opened up a new airport in the United States," he said. In contrast, China has opened up more than 10 airports each year over the past decade. "Looking to the future, we in the aviation community need to work through our differences, find the things that bind us together, and focus on the things that galvanize us," he said. "That's the only way we are going to ensure that America retains its global leadership in aviation."
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