NBAA welcomes house-passed budget bill supporting aviation industry

"We commend the House for recognizing the importance of improving ATC infrastructure and strengthening the controller workforce to enhance safety and efficiency in the National Airspace System," said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen.

Bolen emphasized that business aviation's ability to serve various sectors is contingent on U.S. leadership in aviation. He noted that strategic priorities outlined in this provision are crucial for maintaining global leadership in future years.

The bill also proposes reinstating 100% immediate expensing on purchases of new and pre-owned aircraft. This was part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 but is currently set to phase out by 2027.

"Immediate expensing for purchases of capital equipment, including business aircraft, has been included in bipartisan congressional tax policy for decades," Bolen stated. He added that this policy supports job creation within business aviation—a sector responsible for 1.3 million jobs—and contributes significantly to economic activity and trade balance.

Additionally, the reconciliation bill extends by four years the Section 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit until 2031. This credit encourages sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production, which saw a doubling from December 2024 to February 2025.

"This provision has proven critical to increased SAF production," Bolen said. "Equally important are incentives for suppliers and producers of SAF that will give the U.S. a competitive edge."

As the bill moves to Senate consideration, Bolen expressed eagerness to collaborate with lawmakers across party lines to advance these provisions supporting an essential industry.