FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 14, 2014
Contacts:
Devin Osting (AAAA): (202) 223-9523
Dan Hubbard (NBAA): (202) 783-9360
Steve Hedges (AOPA): (301) 695-2159
Dick Knapinski (EAA): (920) 426-6523
Chris Dancy (HAI): (703) 683-4646
Rebecca Mulholland (NATA): (703) 845-9000
Kim Stevens (NASAO): (703) 417-1884
National Aviation Organizations Commend New York Governor for Declaring May ‘Aviation Appreciation Month’
Washington, DC— Today, national aviation organizations applauded New York Governor Andrew Cuomo for declaring May, “Aviation Appreciation Month.” In New York, general aviation supports over 8,600 jobs and over $1 billion in economic activity.
“We thank Governor Cuomo for recognizing the importance of general aviation and our network of local airports,” said Selena Shilad, Executive Director of the Alliance for Aviation Across America. “General aviation supports thousands of jobs and local services and is an important economic driver.”
“General aviation and local airports help hundreds of communities and businesses throughout New York to connect with distant markets and crucial services,” said Mark Baker, President and CEO of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA). “We appreciate Governor Cuomo’s recognition of the significance and benefits of general aviation for the people of New York and across the country.”
“Throughout New York and the nation, business aviation helps companies to operate in an increasingly competitive environment, reach far-off customers, suppliers and markets, and maximize their productivity,” explained Ed Bolen, President and CEO of the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA). “We thank Governor Cuomo for his proclamation and look forward to working with him to support business aviation.”
“All across New York, general aviation is a lifeline to both large and small communities, and provides opportunities far beyond the flight itself,” said Jack Pelton, Chairman of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA). “We commend the Governor for his proclamation, which recognizes the benefits of general aviation and helps to spur interest and excitement for aviation as a whole.”
Kim Stevens, interim President and CEO of the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) noted, “New York’s network of airports help connect the state’s companies, farms, patients and communities with necessary goods, services and businesses. We thank Governor Cuomo and Aviation Bureau Acting Director Gerardo Mendoza for their work in highlighting the benefits of aviation, including general aviation, in New York.”
“General aviation and local airports are a tremendous resource for local communities and support businesses and economic development across the state,” stated Thomas L. Hendricks, President and CEO of the National Air Transportation Association. “NATA and our member companies in New York applaud Governor Cuomo’s recognition of general aviation as a vital resource to the state’s competitiveness and growth.”
“New York is the business capital of the world, and helicopters play a vital role in supporting that community and giving businesses there a competitive edge,” said Matthew Zuccaro, President of the Helicopter Association International (HAI). “And throughout the state, helicopters and other general aviation aircraft play a crucial role in New York’s first-responder and law-enforcement network. We thank Governor Cuomo for his proclamation and support of this important form of transportation.”
To view the proclamation, click here.
Formed in 2007, the Alliance for Aviation Across America is a non-profit, non-partisan coalition of more than 6,300 individuals representing businesses, agricultural groups FBO’s, small airports, elected officials, charitable organizations, and leading business and aviation groups that support the interest of the general aviation community across various public policy issues.
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