ALEXANDRIA, VA -- The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) today concluded its 2008 Aviation Business Roundtable after two days of high-level meetings with some of the most influential decision makers in Washington, D.C.
More than 80 aviation business leaders met with key financial and political experts to discuss a number of critical issues affecting the community including the economy, taxes, safety, security, FAA enforcement and the recent elections.
Speakers participating in the two-day event included:
- The Honorable Paul Volcker, former chairman, U.S. Federal Reserve Board of Directors
- The Honorable Jack Kemp, Founder & Chairman, Kemp Partners
- The Honorable Mary Peters, Secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation
- Vice Admiral Thomas J. Barrett, Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation
- Robert Sturgell, Acting Administrator, FAA
- Nicholas Sabatini, Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety, FAA
- Gail Rossides, Deputy Administrator, TSA
- John Sammon, Assistant Administrator, Transportation Sector Network Management, TSA
- Phil Boyer, President, Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association
- The Honorable Edward Stimpson, Chairman, Flight Safety Foundation
- Brian Foley, President, Brian Foley Associates
During his presentation at the Old Executive Office Building, the Honorable Kenneth Wainstein, assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism, announced that the Transportation Security Administration will extend the Large Aircraft Security Program's (LASP) comment period by sixty days. The comment period deadline is now Feb. 27, 2009.
"During the 2007 Aviation Business Roundtable Secretary Chertoff announced the Large Aircraft Security Program. In keeping with last year's announcement, it was fitting for Mr. Wainstein and the TSA leadership in attendance to announce the Agency's intent to extend the LASP comment period," said NATA president James K. Coyne. "We appreciate the consideration that the White House, DHS and TSA have given to industry's concerns on the LASP. By providing this comment period extension TSA is clearly recognizing the importance of working with the community on this new security program.
"This year's Roundtable was an enormous success. Attendance was up, and the exchange between our industry leaders and the speakers was exceptional. It is clear that the Roundtable has become an invaluable event for industry and key decision makers in Washington to address economic and aviation policy matters."
To review the program for the 2008 Aviation Business Roundtable, click here.
