WASHINGTON – National aviation organizations commended S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley for proclaiming Aug. 19-23 as “South Carolina Aviation Week.” Across South Carolina, general aviation supports more than 5,000 jobs and generates $417 million in economic impact annually.
“By establishing South Carolina Aviation Week, Haley is helping to highlight the vast importance of this industry,” said Selena Shilad, executive director of the Alliance for Aviation Across America. “Communities across South Carolina rely on aviation, and especially general aviation, to support commerce, public safety and a host of other crucially important services and resources.”
“The network of airports across South Carolina connects communities to essential services and resources that their businesses need to survive,” stated Craig L. Fuller, president and CEO of the Aircraft Owners And Pilots Association. “We appreciate the governor’s proclamation and look forward to working with her on this and other issues important to general aviation.”
“General aviation, including business aviation, helps attract businesses and support jobs in cities and towns across South Carolina,” said Ed Bolen, president and CEO of the National Business Aviation Association. “Gov. Haley’s proclamation demonstrates her dedication to South Carolina’s economy and this important industry.”
“For communities throughout South Carolina, general aviation aircraft and community airports support local business, and serve as an important tool to first responders, farms and residents to access services and resources that would otherwise be unreachable,” said Henry Ogrodzinski, president of the National Association of State Aviation Officials.
Formed in 2007, the Alliance for Aviation Across America is a non-profit, non-partisan coalition of over 6,100 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.