Safety and People Headline Newsmakers Luncheon

Safety, innovation, and future-oriented initiatives were the forefront of the 2025 NBAA-BACE Newsmakers Luncheon on Monday. Congressman Sam Graves (R-Missouri) emphasized the importance of compromise in keeping aviation legislation bipartisan.

“The FAA reauthorization was just a shining example of the things that you can get done when you work with the other side,” he said. “Rick [Larsen] and I believe in old-school politics. That means we believe in compromise. It’s not all or nothing.”

Graves also said he is pleased with the down payment on the air traffic control modernization. “Transportation Secretary Duffy is absolutely committed to making sure that this finally happens,” he said. “The administrator, the FAA wants to have it done within 3.5 years. We’ve got to do some permanent reform to be able to get that done. But I do believe we can meet that challenge, and we can meet that goal.”

NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen reminded the audience that when it comes to advancing aviation, people behind the industry are key. “It’s about the people,” he said. “Always, people first.”

NATCA president Nick Daniels made an impassioned appeal to the aviation community on behalf of the air traffic controllers who are working without pay due to the ongoing government shutdown. “With no end in sight, this strain is going to grow day by day,” he warned. “Their last paycheck, a partial paycheck, is tomorrow. We’ll begin seeing an entirely new introduction of risk into this National Airspace System, starting now. Tomorrow, the nation’s air traffic controllers will face their first loss of income, and because of this shutdown.”

Key points highlighted by speakers included showcasing of advanced aerospace technologies, a new Tribute to Flight Pavilion featuring vintage aircraft at Henderson Airport, and the displayed Archer Midnight eVTOL. 

Before the Newsmakers lunch kicked off, the Gold Wing Award was presented to Elan Head, senior editor of The Air Current, for her work on breaking down the FAA’s new eVTOL operating rules, particularly how the FAA’s Special Federal Aviation Regulation created requirements for safely integrating advanced air mobility into airspace.

Included on the business aviation industry panel were Ron Draper, president of Textron Aviation; Bombardier’s Éric Martel; FlexJet president Mike Silvestro; and Michael Amalfitano, president and CEO of Embraer Executive Jets, with moderation by CNBC’s Phil LeBeau. The panel discussed the robust and resilient state of the industry, driven by wealth creation and a 20% global wealth growth forecast by 2029.

Key metrics include a 40% application rate and 1,000 Atlantic crossings by Flexjet. Supply-chain challenges, particularly labor shortages and capacity issues, were highlighted. The panel also addressed the impact of AI on efficiency and productivity, and the potential of advanced air mobility (AAM) by 2027. Large orders, such as Flexjet’s $5.1 billion deal with Otto, were noted, along with the importance of maintaining a balanced backlog to avoid boom-and-bust cycles.