Washington, DC – The Alliance for Aviation Across America today thanked Governor Chris Christie for declaring May 2017 “General Aviation Appreciation Month.” New Jersey’s general aviation airports contribute over $1.7 billion to the state’s economy. The Mid-Atlantic Aviation Coalition and the New Jersey Aviation Association also helped support the passage of the proclamation.
“We applaud Governor Chris Christie for the proclamation and raising awareness about the critical importance of general aviation and local airports across New Jersey,” said Selena Shilad, Executive Director of Alliance for Aviation Across America. “General aviation is an economic driver, it supports agriculture, and facilitates emergency medical care, firefighting, and natural disaster response.”
“Companies of all sizes rely on the flexibility and efficiency of business aviation to expand their opportunities in an increasingly competitive global market,” said Ed Bolen, President and CEO of the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA). “We thank Governor Christie for issuing the proclamation and look forward to working with him on issues impacting business aviation.”
“Rotor craft make up a key segment of New Jersey’s general aviation fleet, helping communities stay connected and supporting emergency services like air ambulances, search and rescue, and law enforcement,” said Matt Zuccaro, President of Helicopter Association International (HAI). “We thank the Governor for recognizing this important asset and its impact in the state.”
According to the proclamation:
“New Jersey’s general aviation industry provides employment to approximately 18,000 New Jersey residents and serves more than 12,000 pilots.”
To view the proclamation, click here.
Formed in 2007, the Alliance for Aviation Across America is a non-profit, non-partisan coalition of over 6,300 individuals representing businesses, agricultural groups, FBO’s, small airports, elected officials, charitable organizations, and leading business and aviation groups that support the interests of the general aviation community across various public policy issues.