If you consider the recent 63rd NBAA Convention and Exhibition as a bellwether, the business aviation industry appears to be turning the corner. Or is it?
This year’s show, held from October 19 to 21 in Atlanta, was as upbeat as last year’s event was glum. Attendee registrations came in at 24,206, 1,286 more than last year. The hall held 1,083 exhibitors, 12 more than last year, and only the limited ramp space at DeKalb-Peachtree airport kept the number of aircraft on the static display line to 93, seven less than last year.
A sense of optimism underscored the show, said NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen, pointing out that “in spite of the challenges confronting business aviation in the past two years, people and companies are optimistic and forward-looking.”
On the heels of what Bolen described as a successful NBAA Convention, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) delivered mixed news.
