NBAA Northeast Regional Draws Crowds to White Plains

“It is inspiring for us to see a sold-out exhibit floor,” said John D. Witzig, chair of NBAA’s board of directors and Pfizer’s v-p of corporate aviation, kicking off the opening session this morning at NBAA’s White Plains Regional Forum at New York's Westchester County Airport (KHPN).

He noted that there were more than 200 exhibiting companies at the event being held in the 54,000-sq-ft hangar at the Million Air FBO, as well as more than 3,000 registered attendees.

On the adjoining ramp, the static display featured 24 aircraft. “The reality is, whatever your mission is in aviation, the aircraft that fits your needs is here today, from small STOL aircraft, turboprops, all the way up to ultra-long-range aircraft to rotorwing,” Witzig said. Included was the Beta Technologies Alia, which made news yesterday as the first all-electric passenger aircraft to land at one of New York City’s major airports. “The inroads that are coming every day within the [advanced air mobility] space are really remarkable,” he said.

Million Air CEO Roger Woolsey welcomed showgoers and highlighted general aviation’s impact on the economy, adding that it employs more than one million people and represents $250 billion in economic activity on an annual basis. He stated that 85% of the Fortune 1000 companies use private aviation. “That one mile of concrete [runway] is not a road, it’s taking you to the world,” Woolsey told the audience. He also said that business aircraft users account for $9 trillion in sales.