The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) of the US has rapped a report from an international news agency about pets being pampered in private jets calling it a “mischaracterisation” of business aviation.

“Let’s be clear: the vast majority of entrepreneurs and businesses using these aircraft are doing so to increase their efficiency and productivity, meet face-to-face with customers and clients, and reach far-off markets where opportunities can be found,” NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen said in a letter to the Chicago Tribune, which had published the report earlier this month.

“The aircraft are typically used by small and mid-size companies, and the most common passengers are not CEOs but salespeople, middle-managers and technical specialists.”

The report from Bloomberg had stated that well-heeled passengers were taking their pets along with them on their private aircraft in increasing numbers.

It quoted Chief Executive Officer Bill Papariella, the CEO of Jet Edge International, which charges $67,000 on average for a flight, as saying that letting animals tag along is “one of the main reasons why people will fly private”.

Pets were being treated to Kobe beef and salmon pilaf while inflight, it said.

Bolen said that there was a good reason why business aircraft are needed in today's highly competitive, global environment.

“They are like offices in the sky, with cabins set up so employees can discuss projects, collaborate on presentations and stay connected through email, web access or teleconferencing. The use of this competitive asset, in this manner, has proven benefits: Studies have repeatedly shown that companies using business aircraft outperform comparable companies that don't use the aircraft.”

He added that it was unfortunate that the article overlooked the many good reasons companies of all sizes rely on business aviation and “missed the mark on the benefits these competitive assets provide”.

Founded in 1947 and based in Washington, DC, the NBAA is the leading organisation for companies that rely on general aviation aircraft to help make their businesses more efficient, productive and successful. 

The association represents more than 10,000 companies and provides more than 100 products and services to the business aviation community, including the NBAA Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition, the world’s largest civil aviation trade show. 

It also co-hosts the European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (Ebace) a premier event and the annual meeting place for the European business aviation community, and the Asian Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition (Abace).

The NBAA’s mission is to foster an environment that allows business aviation to thrive in the US and around the world.