Contact: Cassandra Bosco
Washington, DC, July 24, 2002 – The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) commends the U.S. House of Representatives and House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL) for passing H.R. 3479, The National Aviation Capacity Expansion Act of 2002. The measure preserves Chicago’s Meigs Field until 2006, with further provisions for maintaining the airport until 2026. The bill also provides for a $6.6 billion runway expansion at O’Hare International Airport.
“This Act recognizes the critical importance of general aviation airports to the Nation’s air transportation system,” said NBAA President Jack Olcott. “By keeping Meigs open, it not only will continue to provide important access to the city of Chicago, the economic engine for the state, but also will maintain much needed regional aviation capacity, relieving already congested O’Hare and Midway airports.”
“We applaud the historic agreement between Illinois Governor George Ryan and Chicago Mayor Richard Daley that led to the creation of this legislation,” continued Olcott. “NBAA is hopeful that the Senate measure will receive similar approval.” The Senate version of the bill (S.2039) awaits further consideration.
NBAA represents the aviation interests of more than 7,100 companies which own or operate general aviation aircraft as an aid to the conduct of their business, or are involved with business aviation. NBAA Member Companies earn annual revenues approaching $5 trillion — a number that is about half the gross domestic product — and employ more than 19 million people worldwide. The NBAA Annual Meeting & Convention is the world’s largest display of civil aviation products and services.
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International Business Aviation Council Ltd.