The same day that US general aviation manufacturer Cirrus announced its approval of a Chinese bid for its ownership, National Business Aviation Association president Ed Bolen told the Washington DC Aero Club that "aviation would be the key to defining America's leadership in an increasingly global economy".
Clearly with an eye to the rocketing prospects for business and general aviation in China in particular - and Asia in general - where the surface transport infrastructure is relatively underdeveloped, Bolen pointed out: "Looking to the future, it's important that our industry give unified focus to these priorities, because all segments of the aviation industry depend on one another.
"Equally important - in a global economy that is increasingly competitive - citizens, companies and communities will depend on aviation as never before. After all, two miles of waterway will take a boat two miles; two miles of road will take a car two miles; two miles of railway will take a train two miles. But two miles of runway will take people anywhere in the world."
Bringing it into the US context, Bolen said: "Throughout history, great economies and great countries have been defined by their transportation systems. In America, the 21st century will also be defined by transportation, and the key mode will be aviation."
He continued: "The fact of the matter is, we are trading and competing in a global marketplace, and aviation remains the fastest and safest way for people from around the world to connect with one another."
Echoing a fear also expressed about European transport infrastructure by the Association of European Airlines, Bolan added: "It's been a long time since we opened up a new airport in the United States." By contrast, he noted, "the Chinese had opened up more than 10 airports each year over the past decade".
Source: Flight International
