AAAE Press Releases

Ormond Beach Honored With 2010 Willie F. Card Contract Tower Service Award

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 11:00:50 GMT

For Immediate Release
July 27, 2010

Alexandria, VA -- Ormond Beach Municipal Airport has been honored with the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE)/United States Contract Tower Association (USCTA) 2010 Willie F. Card Contract Tower Service Award, recognizing the airport's excellence in providing safe and reliable air traffic control services to its users. The award was presented on July 27 at the annual AAAE/USCTA/FAA Contract Tower Workshop, July 27-28, in Washington, D.C.

Operated by Robinson Aviation, Inc. (RVA), the Ormond Beach air traffic control (ATC) tower was commissioned into FAA's Federal Contract Tower Program in late 2004.

The Willie F. Card award is given annually to an FAA contract tower airport. The winner must meet several criteria, including a demonstrated level of customer service excellence to aviation users and dedicated outreach to the local community, and having a documented system in place to measure safety and customer service performance of the contract tower to the local aviation users. Nominations are judged, and the winner selected, by a panel of judges representing the following organizations: the FAA Contract Tower Program Office; Air Traffic Control Association; National Air Transportation Association; National Association of State Aviation Officials; National Business Aviation Association; Regional Airline Association; and USCTA Policy Board.

"The partnership between Ormond Beach Municipal Airport, Robinson Aviation, and FAA is a shining example of how the contract tower program benefits both a local aviation community and the National Airspace System," said Walt Strong, A.A.E., policy board chair of the U.S. Contract Tower Association and director of the University of Oklahoma Max Westheimer Airport. "The contract tower program's success is due to the dedication of airports like Ormond Beach and service providers like Robinson Aviation, and we're proud to recognize them with this year's award."

The award is named in honor of Willie F. Card, FAA's Contract Tower Branch Manager from 1998 to 2002. The Willie F. Card Contract Tower Service Award is presented each year to the FAA federal contract tower that most closely mirrors Mr. Card's vision of what the contract tower program exemplifies. Mr. Card created an environment in which the competing interests of the FAA, the ATC contractors, airports, and organizations like AAAE/USCTA came together to form a unique and lasting partnership with the common goal of providing the very best air traffic control services to the local users at FAA contract towers.

Now in its 28th year, FAA's Contract Tower Program has strong support within Congress and the airport community for the added layer of safety it provides to the nation's aviation system, as well as for its cost-effectiveness and efficiency. There are currently 246 FAA contract towers, which combined handle approximately 25 percent of all air traffic control tower operations activity in the U.S.

# # #

ABOUT USCTA: USCTA is an affiliated organization of the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE). AAAE created the USCTA in 1996 to promote the FAA Contract Tower program and to enhance aviation safety at smaller airports. USCTA coordinates contract tower issues on a regular basis with Congress, regulators, and other industry stakeholders.

ABOUT AAAE: Founded in 1928, AAAE is the world’s largest professional organization representing the men and women who work at public-use commercial and general aviation airports. AAAE’s 5,000-plus members represent some 850 airports and hundreds of companies and organizations that support the airport industry. Headquartered in Alexandria, Va., AAAE serves its membership through results-oriented representation in Washington, D.C., and delivers a wide range of industry services and professional development opportunities, including training, conferences, and a highly respected accreditation program.

CONTACT:
Sean Broderick
American Association of Airport Executives
sean.broderick@aaae.org
Office: (703) 824-0500, Ext. 126
Mobile: (703) 919-6873
Click here to follow AAAE PR on Twitter!
Click here to join AAAE on Facebook!

AAAE Awards $175,000 In Scholarships To 102 Students For 2010-2011 Academic Year

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 12:09:19 GMT

For Immediate Release
July 14, 2010

Alexandria, VA -- The American Association of Airport Executives announced this week that it will award more than $175,000 in scholarships to 102 students for the 2010-2011 academic year. Since 1989, AAAE has provided more than $2.9 million in scholarships to nearly 1,900 students, making the organization one of the largest supporters of higher education assistance in all of the aviation industry.

"AAAE is extremely proud of the significant role that it continues to play in helping students meet their education goals and in promoting the airport profession to a new generation of leaders," AAAE President Chip Barclay said. "The breadth of support that AAAE has provided over the past two decades, with nearly $3 million in scholarship awards to worthy students, is remarkable and speaks volumes about the dedication and generosity of airport executives across the country."

AAAE offers four scholarships through the AAAE Foundation to full-time undergraduate or graduate students who are attending accredited colleges or universities. Eligible students include accredited airport executive members of AAAE and their spouses or children; students sponsored by accredited airport executive members of AAAE; students enrolled in aviation programs with a junior class standing or higher and a minimum GPA of 3.0; and Native American college or university students enrolled in an aviation program with a junior class standing or higher and a minimum GPA of 3.0. A list of the specific scholarships and eligibility requirements is available online here.

# # #

AAAE Training Video Honored With National Video Industry Award

Thu, 17 Jun 2010 12:42:39 GMT

For Immediate Release
June 17, 2010

Alexandria, VA -- A customer service training video developed by the American Association of Airport Executives for the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) has been honored with a 2010 Videographer Award.

AAAE's Airport News and Training Network (ANTN) multimedia division teamed up with Interactive Dynamic Solutions of Sylva, N.C., to create the 11-minute customized video, "Going the Extra Mile." The video promotes customer service across all MWAA departments and organizations, and covers themes such as displaying a sense of teamwork, ownership, courtesy and the fundamental premise of going above and beyond in providing assistance to all customers. Versions of the video are in use at both Ronald Reagan Washington National and Dulles International airports. Interactive Dynamic Solutions wrote and produced the video.

"We put an emphasis on producing effective, high-quality training for our customers," said AAAE Senior Vice President of Communications Joan Lowden. "Honors like the Videographer Award signify that our training products are meeting the world-class standards that our customers have come to expect from us."

AAAE has produced video training for hundreds of airports and other clients. ANTN's videos form the backbone of AAAE's three computer-based training services: Interactive Employee Training, which is in use at 87 airports and had delivered more than 1.5 million training and testing sessions; eCISTM, the new learning management system offering and ANTN Digicast, the Web-based video training program in use at more than 200 airports.

The Videographer Awards, started in 1996, is an international competition designed to recognize excellence in video productions; TV commercials, news and programs; and new media. The mission of the Videographer Awards is to provide meaningful recognition to hard-working, creative companies, individuals and their clients. Entries are judged by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals, an organization that consists of several thousand marketing, communication and video professionals.

# # #

U.S., European Aviation Leaders Prepare To Discuss Key Issues At Brussels Conference

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 11:02:02 GMT

For Immediate Release
June 15, 2010

Alexandria, VA -- The world's most important aviation relationship, that between the United States and Europe, faces unprecedented challenges. Senior industry leaders and aviation safety regulators from the U.S. and Europe will explore the full scope of aviation relations across the Atlantic at the Second Transatlantic Aviation Issues Conference, "U.S.-EU Cooperation at a Crossroads," in Brussels, Belgium, June 29-July 1.

The meeting, presented by the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE), the International Association of Airport Executives (IAAE) and the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), in collaboration with the European Commission (EC) and EUROCONTROL, will bring together more than 100 leaders from regulatory and policy authorities, airports, airlines, manufacturers, air traffic control, and security experts to dissect the political, economic and technical issues that confront the transatlantic aviation relationship today.

The agenda features a top cast of experts: Daniel Calleja, Air Transport Policy Director at the European Commission; David McMillan, Director General of Eurocontrol; Susan Kurland, Assistant Secretary for International Affairs and Aviation at the U.S. Department of Transportation; Brian Simpson, Chairman of the European Parliament's Transport Committee; John Hickey, Deputy Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety at the FAA; Bill Hemmings, of the Transport and Environment NGO; Ulrich Schulte-Strathaus of the Association of European Airlines; Rob Wilson, President of Honeywell Business and General Aviation and Chairman of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association; Jean Rosanvallon, President and CEO of Dassault FalconJet; Rosemarie Andolino, Commissioner of Aviation for the City of Chicago; Carl Burleson, Director of the FAA's Office of Environment and Energy, and representatives from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), the Transportation Security Administration, U.S. and European airlines, manufacturers and other aviation organizations.

The speakers will focus on such topical items as the appropriate response to volcanic ash, the potential consequences of the failure to implement the US-EU aviation safety agreement, the US-EU Open Skies agreement, the environment, the global shift to satellite-based air traffic management systems, the status of aviation security, and more.

The event takes place at the Conrad Brussels Hotel. Attendees are invited to an opening reception on June 29 at the Conrad as well.

Information on the meeting, including an updated agenda, registration instructions, hotel details and general logistics can be found online at http://events.aaae.org/sites/100607/index.cfm.

For additional information on program and sponsorship opportunities, please contact Melissa Sabatine, AAAE, in the U.S. at +1 703-824-0500, Ext. 138, or email melissa.sabatine@aaae.org. or Brian Davey, GAMA, in Brussels at +32 2 234-7709 or e-mail bdavey@gama.aero.

# # #

ABOUT GAMA: GAMA is an international trade association representing over 65 of the world's leading manufacturers of general aviation aircraft, engines, avionics and related equipment. GAMA's members also manage fleets of aircraft, fixed based operations, and pilot training and maintenance training facilities. GAMA is headquarted in Washington, DC, with a European office in Brussels, Belgium. For additional information, visit GAMA's website at www.GAMA.aero.

Aviation Bird Strike Prevention Experts Set To Gather In Salt Lake City

Thu, 03 Jun 2010 07:58:45 GMT

For Immediate Release
June 3, 2010

Alexandria, VA -- Leading international wildlife experts, airport operations professionals, regulators, and other aviation industry representatives will gather June 21-24 in Salt Lake City at the 12th Annual Joint Meeting of the Bird Strike Committee USA/Canada to discuss the latest advances in keeping birds away from aircraft.

The meeting, produced by Bird Strike Committee USA/Canada and the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) and hosted by Salt Lake City International Airport, will gather some 300 industry experts to discuss wildlife management regulations, practices and challenges, as well as to review existing wildlife mitigation programs at several airports. The four-day meeting includes one day of hands-on wildlife mitigation training (limited to 150 participants) and three days of technical sessions and case studies designed to help share the latest techniques, data, and general information on bird strike mitigation.

"Airport operators have a responsibility to ensure that all appropriate actions are taken to mitigate the potential for bird and wildlife strikes at their facilities," said John Ostrom, manager of Airside Operations at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and chairman of Bird Strike Committee USA. "This meeting--and the training, education and information exchange it provides--is one of the ways Bird Strike Committee USA and Canada help airports meet this responsibility."

Bird strikes have been a major concern in aviation for decades. In 2009, the U.S. civil aviation industry reported more than 9,000 wildlife strikes--most of them involving birds. Strikes cost the U.S. civil aviation industry an estimated $600 million per year in damaged aircraft, irregular operations and other consequences. The problem impacts the military as well: in 2008, U.S. Air Force aircraft were involved in more than 5,000 wildlife strikes.

The annual bird strike conference is designed to share the latest information, best practices and training to help airports and operators mitigate the risks posed by the combination of aircraft and birds. Delegates will hear from experts representing all stakeholders, including wildlife biologists, airport operations executives, pilots, regulators, and suppliers of tools and systems designed to mitigate wildlife strike risks.

The keynote address will be delivered by US Airways First Officer Jeff Skiles, the co-pilot of US Airways Flight 1549, which he helped land safely on New York's Hudson River following a bird strike and dual-engine failure on January 15, 2009.

Technical sessions will focus on key aspects of wildlife mitigation with an emphasis on bird strike prevention. Topics will cover regulations and general planning, as well as specific programs and advanced techniques being applied. Among the presentations:

Salt Lake City International executives will provide an overview and history of the airport's wildlife hazard management plan;
Representatives from the University of Illinois and Accipiter Radar will discuss a radar-based bird tracking system being trialed at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport;
A Birdstrike Control Program representative will discuss the practical application of vehicle mounted infrared systems in wildlife control at Eglin Air Force Base's Hurlburt Field, Okaloosa, Fla.; and
A U.K. government official will discuss off-airfield bird hazard management at U.K. aerodromes.

The meeting also includes an exhibit hall area, where more than a dozen leading suppliers of wildlife mitigation equipment and systems will be on hand to discuss their products and services.

The event also will feature the results of a poster contest in which entrants are asked to submit works with the theme, "airport wildlife management and safety." The winning posters will be reproduced and distributed throughout the industry by Bird Strike Committee USA as part of wildlife mitigation education efforts.

Birdstrike 2010 is a must-attend event for military and civilian personnel responsible for airfield operations, wildlife and wetland resource managers, land-use planners, FAA inspectors, university researchers, engineers, pilots, aviation representatives, waste management operators and anyone interested in mitigating bird strikes.

Information on the meeting, including online registration, an updated agenda, and more, is available online at http://events.aaae.org/sites/100610/.

For further registration information and details about participating in the one-day wildlife mitigation training session, contact Jacky Sher Raker, AAAE, at (703) 824-0500, Ext. 150, or e-mail jacky.raker@aaae.org.

For information on sponsorships or exhibit opportunities, contact Dan Duggan, AAAE, at (703) 824-0500, Ext. 183, or email dan.duggan@aaae.org.

Members of the media interested in covering Birdstrike 2010 can contact Sean Broderick, AAAE at (703) 919 6873 or email sean.broderick@aaae.org.

# # #

ABOUT BIRD STRIKE COMMITTEE USA: Formed in 1991, Bird Strike Committee USA (www.birdstrike.org) is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to providing leadership to the aviation wildlife hazard management community. Our focus is the exchange of information, training and education, and the promotion of research and development to help reduce the threat of wildlife hazards to aircraft operations.

ABOUT AAAE: Founded in 1928, AAAE (www.aaae.org) is the world’s largest professional organization representing the men and women who work at public-use commercial and general aviation airports. AAAE’s 5,000-plus members represent some 850 airports and hundreds of companies and organizations that support the airport industry. Headquartered in Alexandria, Va., AAAE serves its membership through results-oriented representation in Washington, D.C., and delivers a wide range of industry services and professional development opportunities, including training, conferences, and a highly respected accreditation program.

Opinion: Confusing 'Sin Taxes' And Fixed Costs

Fri, 28 May 2010 08:43:26 GMT

By Charles M. Barclay
American Association of Airport Executives

The following piece was published in Aviation Daily on May 27, 2010.

The airline industry has used every opportunity in Washington recently to claim that it is so overtaxed by government that the effect is worse than so-called "sin taxes" on tobacco and alcohol. The claim goes that this federal "over-taxation" amounts to the same treatment for airlines as for producers of goods of which the government wants to discourage consumption.

The airline industry uses a $300 fare and calculates, accurately, the impact of the federal ticket tax, flight segment fees, airport passenger facility charges (PFCs) and a federal security surcharge to show more than $64 on the $300 sample fare, or 21%. The airlines claim the total of these charges amounts to virtually punitive treatment of the industry. The accusation is useful as a political and media attention-getter, but it just doesn't reflect the real facts and it isn't an argument up to the standards of an important industry with real problems that deserve attention.

Most of the airlines' calculation is made up of fees charged for facilities and services other industries consider fixed costs for plant and production lines. Local airport PFCs can only be used for capital aeronautical improvements at airports served by the airlines, or the airlines' equivalent of other industries' "plant." The federal ticket tax and segment fee go almost entirely to running the FAA and the air traffic control system, the airlines' equivalent of other industries' "production line," and a grant program that also is restricted to federally approved, aeronautical development at airports (more plant). The latter program does help to fund a "system" of airports in the United States, including smaller airports that some airlines object to funding, but the total amount going to airports that aren't used by the airlines amounts to less than $2 per ticket (less than 1% of their sample ticket).

There is absolutely nothing about paying for the cost of capital facilities and services the airlines need to operate that is the equivalent of "sin taxes." If the airlines built and operated their own airports and air traffic control system and still paid 21% in special taxes that went into the U.S. Treasury and local governments' general funds, they would have a point, but they don't.

I have enormous respect for the men and women who run our nation's airlines in one of the toughest, most competitive businesses in history. But one of the few places they enjoy an advantage over other industries is precisely in the area of fixed capital costs for plant and production lines. Most businesses have to buy their own land, build plants, install production lines, and do it all with their own up-front capital, before they can hope to produce a product or service. These other industries then can hope to start earning back their fixed, capital costs while also trying to make an operating profit.

But in the airline business, local governments provide the plant (airports) and the federal government provides the production line (ATC) -- both at cost, without profit, and using tax-exempt financing as an added bonus. And, the airlines only have to pay for these fixed costs incrementally as they get each customer, through the ticket tax and PFC mechanisms, rather than in total, up-front, like fixed costs in other industries.

There are certainly legitimate debates about how much plant and production line costs are necessary from the airlines' perspective, as well as how much control they should or should not exercise over these facilities in a deregulated industry. The airlines also have very legitimate, fundamental arguments about government regulation and legislative restrictions that have been part of a cumulative effect of forces negating adequate return on capital for the entire industry over extended periods.

There are some solid arguments to be made about government's role by the very smart and talented people who run our nation's airlines. Trying to claim that the fixed costs of capital facilities provided by government at favorable terms and required to run their business are the equivalent of "sin taxes" isn't one of them.

# # #

AAAE Applauds Efforts To Extend Airport Bond Provisions In Pending Tax Bill

Thu, 20 May 2010 15:55:52 GMT

For Immediate Release
May 20, 2010

Alexandria, Va. -- The American Association of Airport Executives today applauded leaders of the House Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Finance Committee for including provisions advocated by the association in pending tax extenders legislation (H.R. 4213) that would extend Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) relief for airport private activity bonds and the Build America Bonds program beyond the end of the year, when they are currently scheduled to expire.

"Airport executives are gratified that key congressional leaders have seen the wisdom of extending expiring AMT relief and Build America Bond provisions as an important tool in helping airports build infrastructure projects while stimulating the economy and creating jobs," AAAE President Chip Barclay said. "These important changes will enable airports to build on what is already an incredible success story in terms of airport savings, infrastructure development, and job creation. We urge Congress to move forward with passage of this important legislation."

The changes backed by AAAE are included in "tax extenders" legislation pending in Congress -- H.R. 4213. Specifically, the bill would extend through 2011 provisions originally included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that excluded from the AMT private activity bonds issued by airports and other state and local government entities in 2009 and 2010 and that allowed AMT relief for current refunding of private activity bonds issued after 2003 and refunded during 2009 and 2010. The measure would also extend through 2012, with some modification, the Build America Bonds program that helps state and local governments reduce their financing costs. The House and Senate are expected to consider the legislation in the near future.

Inclusion of these provisions in the extenders package followed a meeting between AAAE President Chip Barclay, Senior Executive Vice President Todd Hauptli and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Sander Levin (D-MI), where Barclay and Hauptli urged Levin to broaden the extenders package to incorporate the expiring bond provisions.

Since the Recovery Act was enacted into law last year, 41 airports have sold more than $12.3 billion in bonds. Thirty-three of those airports issued almost $8.3 billion in bonds that benefited from the temporary AMT provisions, and four airports issued $1.2 billion in Build America Bonds. The FAA estimates that bond provisions have already saved airports approximately $1 billion. Without congressional action, the AMT provisions and the Build America Bonds program are slated to expire at the end of the year.

# # #

James Bennett, A.A.E., Elected AAAE Chair For 2010-2011

Thu, 20 May 2010 14:25:21 GMT

For Immediate Release
May 20, 2010

Alexandria, Va. -- James Bennett, A.A.E., CEO of the Abu Dhabi Airports Company, took office May 19 as AAAE's chair for 2010-2011.

The association's membership also elected other members of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors during the 82nd Annual AAAE Conference and Exposition, which was held May 16-19 in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas.

Kelly Johnson, A.A.E., Bentonville, Ark., was elected first vice chair; Bruce Carter, A.A.E., Moline, Ill., was elected second vice chair; and Mark Brewer, A.A.E., Manchester, N.H., was elected secretary/treasurer.

John Duval, A.A.E., Beverly, Mass., is now AAAE's first past chair; and James Elwood, A.A.E., Aspen, Colo., is second past chair.

Newly elected to the board for 2010-2011 are: Timothy Doll, A.A.E., Eugene, Ore.; Mark Gale, A.A.E., Philadelphia, Pa.; William Marrison, A.A.E., Knoxville, Tenn.; Todd McNamee, A.A.E., Camarillo, Calif.; Carl Newman, A.A.E., Phoenix, Ariz.; and Torrance Richardson, A.A.E., Fort Wayne, Ind.

Other members on the board are: Danette Bewley, A.A.E., Reno, Nev.; Tommy Bibb, A.A.E., Nashville, Tenn.; Jeff Bilyeu, Angleton, Texas; Benjamin DeCosta, A.A.E., Atlanta, Ga.; Rod Dinger, A.A.E., Redding, Calif.; Linda Frankl, A.A.E., Columbus, Ohio; Stacy Hollowell, Carrollton, Texas; Kim W. Hopper, A.A.E., Portsmouth, N.H.; Mark Kranenburg, A.A.E., Oklahoma City, Okla.; Jeffrey Mulder, A.A.E., Tulsa, Okla.; Thomas Rafter, A.A.E., Hammonton, N.J.; Brian Reed, Jacksonville, Fla.; Robert Selig, A.A.E., Lansing, Mich.; and David Ulane, A.A.E., Aspen, Colo.

# # #

AAAE Refutes Airline Claims on Local Charges Aimed at Airport Improvements

Wed, 19 May 2010 13:23:54 GMT

For Immediate Release
May 19, 2010

Alexandria, VA -- In a letter (.pdf) to key lawmakers, the American Association of Airport Executives today refuted claims by a group of airline CEOs regarding local passenger facility charges (PFCs) aimed at enhancing safety, security, and capacity at the nation's airports. The CEOs wrote to Congress last week urging opposition to a provision in pending FAA reauthorization legislation that would increase the federal cap on local PFCs from $4.50 to $7.

AAAE President Chip Barclay argued that raising the PFC cap to $7 would provide airports with the resources they need to make improvements that would benefit air carriers and their passengers. He also pointed out that the airlines are opposing a modest PFC increase even though they collected $7.8 billion in ancillary fees last year.

"Our airline partners argue that raising the PFC cap would 'raise travel costs, thereby harming both consumers and the travel/tourism industry,'" Barclay wrote. "However, the airlines apparently do not have similar concerns about the dramatic increase in travel costs from baggage fees and other ancillary fees."

While the airlines' collection of ancillary fees has skyrocketed in recent years, growing from $5.5 billion in 2008 to $7.8 billion in 2009, overall local passenger facility charges collections dropped more than $300 million from 2007 to 2009 to $2.5 billion. Adding to the problem for airports is the decline in purchasing power that those revenues produce because of construction cost inflation. The federal cap on local PFCs was last raised in 2000, and AAAE has asked Congress to increase the PFC cap from $4.50 to $7.50 with indexing for construction cost inflation.

"Airport infrastructure needs are well documented as are the serious hurdles that airports face in trying to meet those needs," Barclay added. "In the face of growing federal budget constraints, PFCs offer critical, local self-help to build the infrastructure that is necessary to serve the airlines and the traveling public now and into the future. Unfortunately, some of our airline partners are so focused on the next quarterly financial report that they have lost sight of the long-term needs of the system - needs that may not be met in some locations absent a modest increase in the PFC."

# # #

AAAE Annual Participants Support Dallas-Fort Worth Habitat For Humanity

Wed, 19 May 2010 09:26:28 GMT

For Immediate Release
May 19, 2010

Dallas, Texas -- More than 40 volunteers in town for an airport industry conference arrived a bit early so they could leave something behind.

The volunteers, made up of airport executives, vendor representatives, and their families and friends, were divided into two shifts and worked all day May 15 on a single-family home for an Arlington, Texas resident. The volunteers are in the Dallas/Fort Worth area for the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) 82nd Annual Conference and Exposition, May 15-19, hosted by the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. AAAE worked with Trinity Habitat for Humanity to organize the effort.

Four companies participating in the conference -- TransSolutions, LLC, PBS&J, Siemens and Vanderlande Industries -- also sponsored the Habitat for Humanity efforts. The sponsorship funds covered costs for transportation, drinks, snacks and other incidentals for the volunteer teams. The companies also combined to donate $8,500 to Trinity Habitat for Humanity as part of the effort.

"We are elated with the outpouring of support that the Habitat for Humanity project receives from the airport community," said AAAE Senior Executive Vice President Spencer Dickerson. "A Habitat for Humanity volunteer effort has become a regular part of our annual conference week, and we're honored to be able to give something back to the communities that host our signature event each year."

The 2010 Habitat for Humanity volunteer program follows similar efforts in Philadelphia in 2009 and New Orleans in 2008. Both were held in conjunction with AAAE's annual meetings in those cities.

# # #