Why It Matters

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) filed a lobbying disclosure report for the second quarter, reporting $420,000 in spending on government affairs activities. The filing marks a slight increase from the first quarter, when the group spent $380,000 on congressional lobbying and regulatory advocacy.

The aviation industry faces mounting pressure on multiple fronts. Sustainable aviation fuel adoption, advanced air mobility certification timelines, and tax policy uncertainty all demand attention from policymakers. NBAA describes sustainable aviation fuel as perhaps the most important tool driving business aviation's commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Meanwhile, the group has warned that tax and trade uncertainty can be a headache for business aircraft owners and operators, making planning more difficult and putting big investments like aircraft transactions on hold. Certification delays present another challenge, with new advanced air mobility aircraft taking between five and nine years to complete Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) type certification, often with little transparency on where applicants stand in the process.

By the Numbers

Spending has fluctuated over the past year. NBAA reported $410,000 in the second quarter of 2025, then increased to $520,000 in both the third and fourth quarters of 2025 before declining to $380,000 in the first quarter of 2026 and settling at $420,000 in the current quarter.

Broader Context

The Aviation Innovation and Global Competitiveness Act, introduced by Rep. Troy E. Nehls and bipartisan colleagues, directly addresses certification delays that concern NBAA members. The legislation would enhance transparency and predictability during the FAA type certification process for advanced air mobility aircraft while supporting FAA staffing capacity to prevent gridlock. The bill would streamline certification review standards by directing the agency to set transparent and reliable timelines for consideration of type certification proposals and develop means of compliance for aircraft outside existing advanced air mobility categories.

The measure has drawn support from a broad coalition including the Aerospace Industries Association, Airports Council International-North America, Archer Aviation, the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International, BETA Technologies, Boeing, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, Joby Aviation, Professional Aviation Safety Specialists, AFL-CIO, Vertical Aviation International, Wisk Aero, and the National Air Transportation Association.

NBAA's in-house lobbying team accounts for the bulk of spending. The organization maintains three senior government affairs staffers: Brian Koester as Senior Director of Government Affairs, Kristie Greco Johnson as Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, and Brandi Pensoneau as Senior Director of Government Relations. Johnson brings 19 years of congressional experience across 11 non-consecutive sessions from the 106th through 117th Congresses, including service as Chief of Staff to Rep. Peter A. DeFazio. Pensoneau served approximately 2.5 years in the House across the 106th and 107th Congresses.

The Bottom Line

NBAA's lobbying focus remains consistent across multiple regulatory and legislative fronts. The group's spending levels suggest sustained but measured engagement with Congress and federal agencies on issues ranging from certification reform to appropriations matters affecting general aviation operations.

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