FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
December 16, 2014
Contacts:
Devin Osting (AAAA): (202) 223-9523
Rick Abasta (Navajo Nation): (928) 871-7000
Alliance for Aviation Across America Announces Navajo Nation as Member
Washington, DC—The Alliance for Aviation Across America today announced that the Navajo Nation will be officially joining the Alliance and working to raise awareness about the critical importance of general aviation as a critical resource for communities in the Southwest. The Navajo Nation is one of the largest tribal governments in the United States, with over 330,000 members in Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. This past September, President Ben Shelly issued a proclamation of “General Aviation Appreciation Month” in the Navajo Nation.
“We are thrilled to be working with the Navajo Nation,” said Selena Shilad, Executive Director of the Alliance for Aviation Across America. “General aviation serves citizens in remote regions of the Nation with medical care, supports commerce, and provides a means for connecting the communities of the Nation together. We thank President Shelly for his support and commitment to general aviation in the Navajo Nation.”
The Navajo Nation runs seven airports: Crownpoint Airport, Shiprock Airstrip, Chinle Municipal Airport, Tuba City Airport, Kayenta Township Airport, Navajo Mountain Airstrip and Window Rock Airport, all of which have an immense economic impact on the Nation. These airports support both direct and indirect jobs, and allow citizens in remote regions of the Nation access to hospitals, medical care and other critical services.
“General aviation and our Nation’s airports provide access to critical services, allow for delivery of goods and supplies, and support local businesses,” stated Ben Shelly, President of the Navajo Nation. “We look forward to working with the Alliance to promote general aviation and make the public aware of its benefits.”
The Navajo Nation proclamation can be viewed 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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