FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 19, 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 Mexico Governor for Declaring September ‘New Mexico Aviation Appreciation Month’
Washington, DC— Today, national aviation organizations applauded New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez for declaring September “New Mexico Aviation Appreciation Month.” In New Mexico, general aviation accounts for more than $761 million in economic activity annually.
“We thank Governor Martinez for highlighting the importance of general aviation and the network of local airports in New Mexico,” said Selena Shilad, Executive Director of the Alliance for Aviation Across America. “The economic benefits and essential services that general aviation provides are vital to the growth of cities across the state.”
“General aviation allows thousands of people, some in remote communities, to stay connected throughout the state,” said Mark Baker, President and CEO of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA). “We commend Governor Martinez’s proclamation recognizing the significant benefits that general aviation brings to New Mexico and across the country.”
“Business aviation helps companies travel farther distances to reach customers, transport supplies and reach multiple locations in one day, thus allowing them to operate in an increasingly competitive global market,” explained Ed Bolen, President and CEO of the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA). “We thank Governor Martinez for her proclamation and look forward to working with her to support business aviation in New Mexico.”
“General aviation is an essential tool to communities of all sizes throughout New Mexico,” said Jack Pelton, Chairman of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA). “We appreciate the Governor’s recognition of the benefits of general aviation. Hopefully, this proclamation will help to promote interest in aviation, especially among younger generations.”
Kim Stevens, interim President and CEO of the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) noted, “New Mexico’s network of airports helps the state’s companies, farms, and communities reach necessary goods, services, and businesses. We applaud Governor Martinez and Aviation Division Director Steve Summers for their work in highlighting the benefits of general aviation and aviation as a whole in New Mexico.”
“General aviation and local airports provide thousands of jobs and are essential for the ability of local communities to compete and grow,” stated Thomas L. Hendricks, President and CEO of the National Air Transportation Association. “NATA and our member companies in New Mexico thank Governor Martinez for her work and recognition of general aviation as an important resource for local communities across the state.”
“Helicopters and other general aviation aircraft are vital tools that support the efforts of our first responders, businesses, and medical and healthcare services,” said Matthew Zuccaro, President of the Helicopter Association International (HAI). “We thank the Governor for her proclamation and support of this important form of transportation.”
To view the New Mexico 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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