FAA To Hold First-Ever International Runway Safety Summit

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Aviation safety professionals including pilots, air traffic controllers, researchers, aviation executives, government leaders, and labor officials from around the world will convene in Washington, D.C., Dec. 1-3, 2009, for the premier International FAA Runway Safety Summit hosted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and co-sponsored by the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) and MITRE Corporation. The three-day event will take place at the Omni Shoreham Hotel, 2500 Calvert Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20008.

The International Runway Safety Summit is aimed at bringing together important operational elements of the world's aviation community to discuss, review and assess hundreds of runway safety initiatives -- past, present and future. Representatives from airlines and other pilot groups, airports, governments, regulatory agencies, labor organizations, air traffic management organizations, engineering and manufacturing companies, and other key industry participants will come together for the event.

"By bringing these individuals together, we will not only be able to evaluate our progress to improve runway safety to date, but also will set a course for the future of runway safety worldwide," says Wes Timmons, FAA's director of the Office of Runway Safety, which is hosting the summit.

"Runway safety is a key focus of airport operators everywhere," says AAAE Senior Executive Vice President Spencer Dickerson. "The airport community welcomes the opportunity to contribute to this important gathering of aviation safety experts and industry stakeholders."

More than 500 attendees are expected to attend this first-ever, FAA-led international gathering of the runway safety community, which will engage in and contribute to one of aviation's most challenging objectives -- the substantial reduction and eventual elimination of runway incursions and excursions worldwide.

Panelists will discuss runway safety initiatives around the world from the perspectives of all industry stakeholders. An exhibit hall showcasing the latest services and technologies being used to enhance runway safety will augment the educational sessions.

For more information send email to faaintlrunwaysafetysummit@aaae.org.