September 30, 2014

CONTACT:

ACI-NA: Scott Elmore, selmore@aci-na.org, (202) 861-8082

AAAE: Gwen Basaria, gwen.basaria@aaaae.org, (703) 797-2540

AirportsUnited Puts Focus on Airport Priorities for 2015 FAA Reauthorization

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) and the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) today launched AirportsUnited.com, a joint initiative that creates a unified advocacy voice by the two organizations and their allied partners on behalf of U.S. airports leading up to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization in 2015.

“Today, we embark on an ambitious and collaborative year-long effort in support of America’s airports ahead of next year’s FAA reauthorization,” said ACI-NA President and CEO Kevin M. Burke.  “The millions of passengers and cargo shippers we serve each day, along with the workers, businesses, and customers we connect, expect their local airport to keep up with global competition and high service standards. Over the next year, we will work with the U.S. Congress, the Obama Administration, and aviation stakeholders to achieve a modern aviation policy that promotes our position as a leader in the global transportation system.”

"Congress is poised to make a series of decisions as part of the upcoming FAA reauthorization process that will determine whether or not America's airports have the tools they need to upgrade and update their facilities to meet anticipated growth and safety and security requirements," AAAE President and CEO Todd Hauptli said.  "Airports require additional self-help to make those improvements through a modernized local Passenger Facility Charge program, and we look forward to continuing to make that compelling case to travelers, the public, and the Congress to encourage the adoption of policies that best serve the long-term interest of our country."

AirportsUnited.com also brings together a broad cross-section of industry partners that expect and depend on a safe, efficient, and modern airport system, including construction and engineering, tourism, and state and municipal governments.  Both ACI-NA and AAAE are actively growing a strong coalition of supporters that share the AirportsUnited position that U.S. airports are the gateway to new markets and opportunities at home, across the country, and around the world.

The AirportsUnited.com website features overview and detail on key airport policy priorities for federal legislation in 2015, including modernizing and protecting airport infrastructure funding mechanisms and options; implementing new technologies for a safer and more efficient commercial aviation system; and providing superior safety, security, and checkpoint facilitation for the traveling public.

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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 seven percent of the total U.S. workforce and eight 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.