As 2023 winds down, the U.S. economy—answerable for 65 to 70 percent of the worldwide business aviation market—continues to point out surprising resiliency. Despite the conflicts in Ukraine and Israel and other challenges, inflation is declining, stocks are up, and unemployment is low.
Granted, anything can occur and on no account is the U.S. economy in a state where we ought to be uncorking the champagne. Still, as of this writing, things are looking pretty good.
The Covid Phenomenon
Back when the Covid pandemic was raging, I had a couple of conversation with fellow executives in our industry about whether we might even be in business 12 months hence. Because it seems, though, we now have done far more than merely survive. Our industry has grown at an unprecedented rate over the past few years, largely since the pandemic has led many individuals to try private and company aviation for the primary time.
After all, not all these people have stuck with it but many have, and so they have had a direct impact on the availability/demand equation. That’s the superb news. The bad news is that supply-chain issues and certification holdups proceed to hound our industry and, because of this, some recent business jets which were purchased and paid for is probably not delivered during this calendar 12 months. Nevertheless, around 800 recent business jets ought to be delivered in 2023 and again in 2024. Our industry is approaching a brand new 12 months with as strong a foundation as I can remember.
AIN’s Solid 12 months
Last 12 months, AIN celebrated its fiftieth anniversary. We concurrently announced that we’d elected to maintain AIN Media Group as a family–held enterprise and would seek a non-family executive to guide the corporate to its next level of growth.
We found that executive earlier this 12 months in Ruben Kempeneer, who now serves as president of AIN Media Group. Ruben, formerly with Cirium, has extensive experience in each media and aviation and is doing a implausible job.
I actually have never felt more comfortable with our company’s direction and leadership. We’re poised to strengthen our position available in the market and can proceed to concentrate on the goal that has gotten AIN to where it’s today: being essentially the most accurate, valued, and trusted source of reports and data for the business aviation industry.
Proven Products
We proceed to take a position in our print and digital show each day properties, that are published at every major business aviation event worldwide and remain the leading journalistic products of their kind. We also proceed to strengthen the monthly print editions of Aviation International News, which is a powerful vehicle for branding purposes.
Probably one of the successful digital newsletters in any industry is AINalerts. All the global business aviation community—operators and users in addition to manufacturers and suppliers—reads it each workday. And now on Saturdays, as well.
We also proceed to boost Business Jet Traveler, whose website, biweekly Waypoints newsletter, and annual printed Buyers’ Guide serve passengers and aircraft owners who fly privately.
Finally, we’re thrilled with our two-year-old Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit (CALS) programs. Otherwise referred to as hosted buyer events, these are intimate, powerful two-day gatherings where the business aviation users and operators we invite meet one-on-one with corporate sponsors. We’re humbled by the success of this recent offering.
Challenges Remain
Climate change and the environmental movement will proceed to be a challenge for each one in all us in business aviation. The industry is making great strides on this area with the whole lot from sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to more–energy-efficient FBOs and the event of electrical aircraft. As protests by climate activists remind us, though, we’d like to do a greater job of teaching the general public about these innovations in addition to in regards to the necessary ways business aviation advantages our economies and lives.
Like every flight, our industry will all the time experience some turbulence. That said, I predict overall smooth sailing and clear skies for the foreseeable future.
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Climbing Fast with AIN
How are we already writing year-end reports? It seems only yesterday that I used to be sharing my first 90-day plan with the board after being appointed president of AIN Media Group in mid-January!
As I actually have gotten to know AIN’s staff, readers, advertisers, and partners, I’m more convinced than ever that our industry is a people-driven business. Much of the talk this 12 months has been about artificial intelligence (AI) and whether it would decimate white-collar jobs the best way automation fundamentally modified blue-collar occupations. My take? AI, like all technological leaps forward, has the potential to remodel our industry and replace mundane processes, but there’ll all the time be a spot for human ingenuity, creativity, and ambition.
We’ve recently returned from a fantastically attended and well-organized NBAA-BACE, and it’s clear from my dozens of conversations there that the individuals who drive this industry forward are continuing to tackle challenges with persistence and skill. They’ll keep forging ahead and, within the words of NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen, will likely be “Climbing. Fast.”
As we move right into a transformative 12 months for AIN, I need to thanks, our readers, sponsors, advertisers, event attendees, industry friends, and partners on your loyalty and support. I’m enthusiastic about what we are going to proceed to attain together.
Finally, I’m grateful to the Leach family for giving me the chance to guide this tremendous company and its outstanding people.
Ruben Kempeneer
President, AIN Media Group