Senator Allen to Lead Celebration of General Aviation at Reagan National Airport

Contacts for this release:

• Dan Hubbard, NBAA, (202) 783-9360 or dhubbard@nbaa.org
• Carol Welti, Washington Airports Task Force, (703) 572-8714
• Tara Hamilton, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, (703) 417-8370
• Mary Miller, Signature Flight Support, (703) 417-3542

Washington, DC, June 6, 2005 – Aviation and business leaders will join forces on June 23 to celebrate the planned restoration of business aviation to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), to salute the Congressional and Administration leaders making the return possible and to explore the expanding role of general aviation in the nation’s air transportation system. “Celebrate General Aviation” will be chaired by Senator George Allen (R-VA) and co-hosted by the Washington Airports Task Force, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) and Signature Flight Support.

“The recently announced plan to allow some general aviation to return to Reagan National is an important first step in completely restoring aviation to the nation’s capital. Prior to 9/11, general aviation provided service to over 163,000 passengers a year at the airport,” said Jim Bennett, president and CEO, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority.

NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen agreed. “This is our opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to leaders in Congress and the Administration who have worked to lift restrictions on general aviation nationwide – including at Reagan National – while sustaining a high standard of security,” Bolen said.

“Celebrate General Aviation” will take place in the Signature Flight Support hangar at Reagan National. On display will be exhibits ranging from the new Small Aircraft Transportation System (SATS), being unveiled in Danville, VA, June 5–7, to a flying replica of the world’s first general aviation aircraft – a glider.

“The new technologies applied in SATS, and now operational microjets, make general aviation much more available for personal as well as business travel. This event will give Washington a glimpse of this expanding and exciting future,” stated Stan Harrison, chairman of the Washington Airports Task Force.

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Founded in 1947, NBAA serves more than 7,000 Member Companies by promoting the aviation interests of organizations utilizing business aircraft in the United States and worldwide. The association provides more than 100 products and services to the business aviation community, including the NBAA Annual Meeting & Convention, the world’s largest civil aviation trade show. Learn more about NBAA at www.nbaa.org.