National Business Aviation Association

What National Business Aviation Association does

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) is a Washington, DC-based nonprofit trade association founded in 1947 and incorporated under the District of Columbia Nonprofit Corporation Act on August 18, 1988. NBAA represents more than 10,000 member companies and professionals operating business aircraft — including corporate flight departments, FBOs, MROs, manufacturers, charter providers, and individual aviation professionals — and provides over 100 products and services spanning advocacy, safety standards, professional development, and industry data. The association operates a platform of interconnected offerings rather than a single product: the NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE, the world's largest civil aviation trade show), a portfolio of professional certificates (Certified Aviation Manager, Safety Manager, Business Aircraft Scheduler), the Business Aviation Fact Book, Airports Handbook, and annual Compensation Survey, and community infrastructure including the NBAA Member Directory, Buyers Guide covering ~200 categories, and Air Mail discussion lists. NBAA's core technology stack is association-grade rather than proprietary: it does not develop or sell software products and has no public API, and its role is to convene and represent the business aviation ecosystem rather than to build technical infrastructure. NBAA monetizes through a recurring revenue mix of tiered membership dues (Operating Members at $390 base plus per-aircraft fees up to $8,995; Business Members at $850-$5,935 by revenue; Professional Members at $40-$430), NBAA-BACE and regional conference transaction revenue, paid publications and the Compensation Survey full results, advertising and sponsorship across events and channels, and the Member Rewards partner-discount program. NBAA's distribution motion is hybrid: direct enterprise field sales for high-revenue Business and Operating Members, event-floor commerce at NBAA-BACE, and self-serve online membership for SMBs and individuals via my.nbaa.org.

Name

National Business Aviation Association

Legal name

National Business Aviation Association, Inc.

Website

https://nbaa.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1947

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) is a Washington, DC-based nonprofit trade association founded in 1947 that represents more than 10,000 member companies and professionals in business aviation, delivering advocacy, safety standards, professional certifications, industry data products, and the NBAA-BACE trade show.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Trade Association Services

NAICS

Sports Teams and Clubs (711211), Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (713940)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Athlete & Team Sponsorship Deals (Official Partners, Jersey/Kit Sponsors) (MPAKALAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Performance & Incentive-Based Endorsements (Bonuses, Royalties, Affiliate/CPA Deals) (MPAKALAI)

Keywords

• Business aviation advocacy
• Trade association services
• Aviation professional development
• Aviation industry events
• Aviation safety standards

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: NBAA generates primary revenue through membership dues from Operating Members (base fee plus per-aircraft fees), Business Members (based on gross annual revenue), and Professional Members. Operating Members pay $390 base plus $75-$670 per aircraft depending on type, with maximum of $8,995. Business Members pay $850-$5,935 based on revenue. Professional Members pay $120-$430.
2. Events and Conferences: NBAA generates significant revenue from hosting the NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE), the world's largest civil aviation trade show, along with regional forums, conferences, and seminars including the Leadership Conference, Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference, Maintenance Conference, International Operators Conference, and Tax Conference.
3. Publications and Products: NBAA sells publications, resources, and products including the Business Aviation Fact Book, Airports Handbook, and provides over 100 products and services to the business aviation community.
4. Advertising and Sponsorship: NBAA generates revenue through advertising opportunities in publications, sponsorship opportunities at events, and exhibiting opportunities at NBAA events.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

NBAA is a membership-based trade association that provides advocacy, professional development, networking, safety programs, and industry resources to companies and individuals in the business aviation sector. It generates revenue primarily through tiered membership dues, the annual NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE), and publication and advertising sales.

Product overview

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) operates as a membership-based trade association offering a platform of interconnected services rather than a single unified product. The core offering centers on NBAA-BACE (the world's largest civil aviation trade show), the Business Aviation Insider magazine, and NBAA Insider Daily newsletter. Professional development is delivered through the Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) Program, Professional Development Program (PDP) courses, Safety Manager Certificate, and Business Aircraft Scheduler Certificate. NBAA supports members with industry resources including the Business Aviation Fact Book, Airports Handbook, and annual Compensation Survey. Member platforms include the NBAA Member Directory, NBAA Buyers Guide, Air Mail discussion lists, and Charter Availability. Additional offerings encompass the NBAA Member Rewards discount program, NBAA Air Traffic Services advocacy, Humanitarian Emergency Response Operator (HERO) Database, Young Professionals (YoPro) program, and Mentoring Network. The association represents more than 10,000 member companies and provides over 100 products and services to the business aviation community.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE)

Quantifiable outcome

• General aviation contributes $339.2 billion to the U.S. economy and supports 1.3 million jobs
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers20 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Joint Aviation CommunitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2026NBAA joined the Joint Aviation Community coalition to submit comments to the FAA opposing a proposed mandate requiring installation of new hardened radio altimeters on approximately 40,900 aircraft by 2034. The coalition estimates undiscounted retrofit costs could reach $4.49 billion to over $7 billion.
• Americans for Clean Aviation Fuels CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2026NBAA participates in the coalition advocating for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) policy. The coalition states domestic SAF production could increase U.S. GDP by more than $78 billion by 2035 and support over 400,000 jobs.
• Textron AviationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2025NBAA signed on to support the 2026 Special Olympics Airlift organized by Textron Aviation. The airlift mobilizes hundreds of volunteer pilots and aircraft to transport Special Olympics athletes to the 2026 USA Games in Minnesota.
• International Business Aviation Council (IBAC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNBAA is a member of IBAC, the International Business Aviation Council, which works to promote and develop business aviation standards globally.
• Corporate Angel NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNBAA Charities supports the Corporate Angel Network, which uses business aircraft to transport cancer patients to treatment. NBAA provides complimentary tickets to CAN's Fund an Angel event held during NBAA-BACE.
• Angel FlightcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNBAA Charities supports Angel Flight, a charity that arranges free flights for people who need medical treatment.
• Combat Veterans AirliftcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNBAA Charities supports Combat Veterans Airlift, providing free flights to combat veterans.
• AERObridgeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNBAA member C&S Wholesale Grocers participates in AERObridge through which companies dispatch aircraft to help those in need.
• Sky Hope NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNBAA member C&S Wholesale Grocers participates in Sky Hope Network for humanitarian air transport.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA): AOPA is the world's largest aviation association with 300,000+ members, focused on general aviation pilots and aircraft owners. Like NBAA, it provides advocacy, training resources, publications, and member benefits, though it targets individual pilots rather than corporate flight departments.
• National Air Transportation Association (NATA): NATA represents aviation service businesses including FBOs, charter operators, and MROs. It shares NBAA's advocacy, standards development, and member service model but focuses on commercial service providers rather than corporate operators.
• General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA): GAMA represents manufacturers of general aviation aircraft and components including Cessna, Beechcraft, and Cirrus. It shares NBAA's industry advocacy and standards work, and the two organizations frequently partner on regulatory and safety initiatives.

Broad incumbents

• Aerospace Industries Association (AIA): AIA represents aerospace and defense manufacturers including Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and SpaceX. It shares NBAA's DC-based advocacy mission and policy focus but addresses commercial aviation and defense rather than business aviation specifically.
• International Air Transport Association (IATA): IATA represents 300+ airlines accounting for 80%+ of global air traffic. It shares NBAA's trade association structure, advocacy function, and standards work but addresses scheduled commercial aviation rather than business aviation.

Regional players

• Helicopter Association International (HAI): HAI is the international trade association for the helicopter industry with members across 70+ countries. It shares NBAA's advocacy, safety standards, and trade show (HELI-EXPO) model, focused on the rotorcraft segment of business aviation.
• Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA): EAA is a 300,000+ member recreation aviation association focused on sport and experimental aircraft. It shares NBAA's advocacy and AirVenture Oshkosh event model but serves a different segment of general aviation.
• National Business Aviation Association - Europe/Emerging Markets equivalent (EBAA): EBAA is the European Business Aviation Association, the closest international peer to NBAA. It mirrors NBAA's mission, membership model, and event strategy (EBACE) for the European market, and the two organizations coordinate on international advocacy through IBAC.

Emerging players

• American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE): AAAE represents airport executives and management at over 850 airports. It shares NBAA's advocacy focus on airport access and infrastructure, and partners with NBAA on issues affecting business aviation airport operations.

Others

• Airports Council International (ACI): ACI is the global trade association of the world's airports with 2,000+ members. It shares NBAA's advocacy mission and policy engagement but represents airport operators rather than aircraft operators.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/nbaa
• Facebookfacebook.com/NBAAfans
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/national-business-aviation-association

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about National Business Aviation Association