Beyond the Runway Coalition Takes Off for Airport Priorities
January 8, 2015
CONTACT:
ACI-NA: Scott Elmore, selmore@aci-na.org, (202) 861-8082
AAAE: Adam Snider, adam.snider@aaae.org, (703) 824-0500
Washington, DC – The “Beyond the Runway Coalition,” a group of 20 aviation and non-aviation industry associations and organizations, today sent a letter to House and Senate committee leadership in strong support of efforts to modernize our nation’s airports through FAA reauthorization. All these groups have a vested interest in ensuring that airports remain not only gateways to the country and the rest of the world but also strong economic engines and job centers for their local communities.
Key excerpts from today’s letter:
"We firmly believe that modernizing airport infrastructure is the best option for strengthening our nation’s aviation system to meet the needs of today and the challenges of tomorrow."
"...airports require approximately $15.14 billion annually in infrastructure improvements to update aging facilities, relieve delays and congestion, promote safety and security, enhance the passenger experience, as well as spur airline competition to provide consumers with more choices and affordable options.”
House and Senate versions of the letter are available at www.airportsunited.com. The letters coincide with a full page ad in today’s Politico.
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About ACI-NA
Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) represents local, regional, and state governing bodies that own and operate commercial airports in the United States and Canada. ACI-NA member airports enplane more than 95 percent of the domestic and virtually all the international airline passenger and cargo traffic in North America. Approximately 380 aviation-related businesses are also members of ACI-NA, providing goods and services to airports. Collectively, U.S. airports employ more than 1.2 million people and account for $1.1 trillion in economic activity—or six percent of the total U.S. workforce and seven percent of GDP. Canadian airports support 405,000 jobs and contribute C$35 billion to Canada’s GDP.
About AAAE
Founded in 1928, AAAE is the world's largest professional organization representing the men and women who work at public-use commercial and general aviation airports. AAAE's 5,000-plus members represent some 850 airports and hundreds of companies and organizations that support the airport industry. Headquartered in Alexandria, Va., AAAE serves its membership through results-oriented representation in Washington, D.C., and delivers a wide range of industry services and professional development opportunities, including training, conferences, and a highly respected accreditation program.