business

Once again, the use of business aircraft is vilified in the media and the reader is left without a perspective on the benefits these important competitive assets provide to 3M and companies of all sizes in Minnesota and across the U.S. ("3M execs are cutting costs, but flying high," Star Tribune, Feb. 5).

Clearly, a global company such as 3M gets a tremendous return on investment with its business aircraft. The company has operations in more than 64 countries, sells products in nearly 200 countries, and counts 65 percent of its revenue from international operations. Its business airplanes are used to reach its overseas markets, traveling internationally 60 percent of the time. Quite simply, the airplanes allow the company to reach those markets as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Looking beyond 3M's story, we know that all companies prize productivity, flexibility and dependability in their business dealings. These are the hallmarks of business aviation. In fact, approximately 95 percent of the companies ranked by leading business magazines as America's "most innovative," "most admired," "best brand," or "best customer service companies" rely on business aviation.

The airplane is a productivity booster. The majority of people who fly on business aircraft are not upper-level executives -- they are midlevel employees, including salespeople, engineers and technicians who use the travel time to continue working, meeting with, or assisting customers.

These passengers often depart early in the morning, and sometimes stop at several locations during the day, before returning to their starting point the same night. When traveling aboard business aircraft, employees can meet, plan and work with each other en route.

In addition to the productivity business aviation fosters, companies point to flexibility as a key factor. Businesspeople don't always know in advance where or when opportunities will present themselves. So companies need to be nimble enough to move quickly. Business aviation allows companies to respond to changing demands and circumstances.

Reliability is also a consideration. Consider that nearly one-fourth of all airline flights are delayed and more than 3 percent are canceled. Because of the airlines' high passenger loads, if your flight is canceled or a delay causes you to miss your connection, the odds of you getting on the next flight are significantly reduced.

When the future of a company and its employees is dependent upon you reaching a destination on time, business aviation can be the most prudent transportation option.

There are other compelling reasons why a company like 3M relies on business aircraft. Access to communities with little or no airline service is critical, especially as the airlines continue cutting service to smaller markets. Business aviation serves 10 times the number of communities (more than 5,000 airports) than do commercial airlines (about 500 airports).

Yet another key fact to understand about business aviation is that it is an important contributor to our economy. Business aviation contributes $150 billion to the U.S. economy every year, and provides more than 1.2 million high-wage, stable jobs. The vast majority of general aviation aircraft worldwide are manufactured, operated, serviced and maintained in the United States.

In short, the case for business aviation is clear: Business aircraft serve an important role in helping companies compete and succeed -- a fact that's especially important in our current economic environment. For a well-respected and admired Minnesota company such as 3M that needs to remain competitive in today's changing global economy, every available resource is required to increase productivity and efficiency -- including the use of business aircraft.