America’s Businesses Still Do Not Have Access to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport

Contact: Cassandra Bosco

Washington, DC, April 24, 2002 – Contrary to reports that Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) is back to normal operations, general aviation aircraft are still not permitted to land at DCA.

Prior to September 11, 2001, there were 60,000 general aviation operations per year at DCA; approximately 90 percent of those were business aviation related. The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), working with officials from the Federal Aviation Administration and the Transportation Security Administration, has developed security proposals enabling qualified general aviation operations back into DCA. NBAA’s proposed “Security Letter of Authorization (SLOA)” addresses key security concerns. General aviation operators that wish to fly into DCA would undergo thorough security background checks. SLOA details are available on the NBAA Web site at www.nbaa.org/sloa.

It is imperative that business aviation return to the Nation’s airport,” said NBAA President Jack Olcott. “These companies provide critical operations that directly impact the regional and national economy.

The Association continues to work diligently with Federal government security officials to address remaining concerns to allow America’s businesses back into DCA.

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.