Airports Nationwide Show Solidarity in Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina

Roy Williams, Director of Aviation for Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, Monday spoke at the opening session of the 14th Annual Airports Council International - North America (ACI-NA) Conference and Exhibition and expressed his gratitude for the support airports nationwide have offered in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Williams provided a first-hand account of Hurricane Katrina's impacts on the greater New Orleans region and described the relief and recovery efforts, many of which were staged at his airport.

"Hurricane Katrina has been a monumental crisis with a large portion of the recovery action taking place at the airport, including the rescue and healing effort. We are tremendously grateful for the support of our airport colleagues who have helped us to get back up and running, setting the stage for recovery efforts and full operations," Williams said.

Joining Williams in a press briefing following the opening session included Patrick Graham, Executive Director of Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport; Frank Miller, Director of Pensacola Regional Airport; and Rick Vacar, Director of Aviation for the Houston Airport System, whose airports have played important roles in coordinating relief efforts among the airport community. More than 20 airports have sent materials, personnel, vehicles and equipment to both Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport and Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport. Their efforts were made possible through the ACI-NA Hurricane Action Group and the Southeast Airports Disaster Operations Group (SEADOG), programs formed after the 2004 hurricane season to provide assistance to airports in times of crisis.

"The Southeastern airports learned quite a few lessons that were helpful from last year's Hurricane Ivan and those lessons were vital in organizing and launching SEADOG," Graham said. "After this unprecedented event, we will continue our work to help airports."

ACI-NA President Greg Principato also expressed gratitude towards the generosity of airport members saying as long airports continue to support and look after one another, the aviation industry will remain strong.

"The past few weeks have been a testament to the strength and unity of the aviation community. With mass amounts of volunteers arranging for transport of personnel and basic supplies, along with equipment and funds, the airport community has come together and proven to be a united front," said Principato.

ACI-NA and the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) recently established the AAAE/ACI-NA Katrina Airport Employee Relief Fund to aid employees of the governing bodies that operate airports in the region impacted by Katrina. 100 percent of the funds collected by the associations from airport operators, individual AAAE/ACI-NA members and corporate/associate members will be designated for distribution by the airports to employees for the purposes of humanitarian relief, such as assistance with temporary housing, food, clothing, and transportation.

FMI: www.aci-na.org