Las Vegas becomes center of private aviation industry this week
Yes, that may have been a business jet you saw on Swenson Street in the early-morning hours over the weekend.
About 100 business aircraft have flown into Southern Nevada, as Las Vegas becomes the center of the private aviation industry universe this week, hosting the 68th National Business Aircraft Association convention.
Clark County Commissioner Steve Sisolak on Monday welcomed the organization to Henderson Executive Airport, which will have a flight line of more than 80 jets and planes that serve as flying executive offices for some companies.
The estimated 27,000 people attending the three-day event that opens Tuesday are coming from more than 90 countries. Aircraft manufacturers from France, Brazil, Canada and the United States are among the 1,100 exhibitors that will display their products at the event's trade show at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Ed Bolen, president and CEO of the association, said planes have been flying into the Henderson airport, but some others arrived at McCarran International Airport and were part of early-morning transports to the Convention Center from the airport north on Swenson.
"The industry views this show as a big opportunity to talk about the value of business aircraft," Bolen said. "With jets like these, it's possible to have meetings in three cities in one day. Companies can move their teams efficiently and with the amenities they have, there's productive work time in transit.
"Some corporate jets are equipped with desks and work space with inflight Wi-Fi or email and telephone communication.
Sisolak noted that having the high-profile $200 billion industry in the city is a big benefit to the community.
"General aviation is extremely important to Las Vegas and having this event here gives us the opportunity to showcase our airport facilities in Henderson," Sisolak said. "This show has a $22 million economic impact on Southern Nevada so we appreciate what they do for us.
"The NBAA rotates its annual conference between Las Vegas and Orlando, Fla., and Sisolak made it clear that he'd like to see the association make Las Vegas its permanent home.
Bolen said general aviation employs 1.1 million people nationwide and that it's not uncommon for the industry to provide humanitarian aid to communities by transporting sick passengers to medical facilities as a philanthropic effort.
Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Michael Huerta will address the association's opening general session Tuesday and retired US Airways Capt. Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, who piloted the "Miracle on the Hudson" Airbus A320 jet airliner to a safe water landing on the Hudson River after a midair bird strike in January 2009, will speak Wednesday.
The association's convention is closed to the public.
Contact reporter Richard N. Velotta at rvelotta@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3893. Find @RickVelotta on Twitter.
