First Meeting Scheduled For May 25 In Washington, DC

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced the members of a new committee on the future of the U.S. aviation industry, which will hold its first meeting on May 25 in Washington.

The Future of Aviation Advisory Committee was formally established in March to provide information, advice, and recommendations to the Secretary on ensuring the competitiveness of the U.S. aviation industry and its capability to address the evolving transportation needs, challenges and opportunities of the U.S. and global economy.

"Aviation is essential to our nation's economy and our ability to compete in international commerce," Secretary LaHood (below) said.  "This committee, which represents a broad cross-section of the aviation community, will begin the important conversation about how to ensure the industry remains vital and competitive."

The committee will focus principally on five issue areas:  ensuring aviation safety, ensuring a world-class aviation workforce, balancing the industry's competitiveness and viability, securing stable funding for aviation systems, and addressing environmental challenges and solutions. 

The advisory committee grew out of a forum last November hosted by Secretary LaHood on the future of the U.S. aviation industry, during which he urged attendees to nominate potential committee members. The members selected represent airlines, airports, labor, manufacturers, environment, finance, academia, consumer interests, and general aviation stakeholders.  The committee will meet at least four times over the next year, after which it will issue its recommendations to the Secretary.

Susan Kurland (pictured, right), Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs at the U.S. Department of Transportation, will chair the committee. 

The first meeting of the committee will take place on May 25, beginning at 9:30 a.m. and ending at 3:30 p.m. at DOT Headquarters, 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE, Washington, DC.  Meetings will be open to the members of the general public who have registered to attend in advance on a first-come, first-serve basis as long as space is available.  People wishing to register (FAAC@dot.gov) can send their name, title, company or affiliation, address, phone number and e-mail address with the subject title "Registration".

FMI: www.dot.gov