ACI World's Director General Selected as the Recipient of the Prestigious 2017 Cliff Henderson Trophy

Feb. 9, 2017
ACI World's Director General, Angela Gittens, has been selected as the recipient of the 2017 National Aeronautic Association's (NAA) Cliff Henderson Trophy.

Montreal, 9 February 2017 – Airports Council International (ACI) World's Director General, Angela Gittens, has been selected as the recipient of the 2017 National Aeronautic Association's (NAA) Cliff Henderson Trophy. Permanently displayed at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, the Henderson Trophy was established in 1960 to honor Clifford W. Henderson, the creator and Managing Director of the world-renowned National Air Races. Henderson's work stimulated a generation's interest in aviation and challenged the state of the art in aviation development.

The trophy is awarded to "...a living individual, group of individuals, or an organization whose vision, leadership or skill made a significant and lasting contribution to the promotion and advancement of aviation and aerospace in the United States." Previous recipients include Colonel Joseph Kittinger, Marion Blakey, The United States Air Force Academy, Anne Morrow Lindbergh, Lieutenant General James H. Doolittle, Senator Barry M. Goldwater, Clarence L. "Kelly" Johnson, Scott Crossfield and the 2016 recipient, George Carneal.

"Angela has been a game changer everywhere she has been," stated Greg Principato, President and CEO, NAA. "Because of her work, aviation in the United States and around the world is safer, more secure and more efficient for all users."

"I am deeply honoured to be awarded the 2017 Cliff Henderson Trophy and to be in the company of such an august body of former recipients," said Gittens. "This is one of the most prestigious and long standing awards in the aviation industry and I am humbled that the NAA should select me for the 2017 award."

Airports Council International (ACI), the trade association of the world's airports, was founded in 1991 with the objective of fostering cooperation among its member airports and other partners in world aviation, including the International Civil Aviation Organization, the International Air Transport Association and the Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation. In representing the best interests of airports during key phases of policy development, ACI makes a significant contribution toward ensuring a global air transport system that is safe, secure, efficient and environmentally sustainable. As of January 2017, ACI serves 623 members operating 1,940 airports in 176 countries.

The National Aeronautic Association is a non-profit membership organization devoted to fostering opportunities to participate fully in aviation activities and to promoting public understanding of the importance of aviation and space flight to the United States. NAA is the caretaker of some of the most important aviation awards in the world, and certifies all world and national aviation records set in the United States.