Release #: 16.27
August 24, 2016
ALPA Names Portland International “Airport of the Year”
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA) is honored to present Portland International Airport (PDX) with the 2015 Airport of the Year Award for its continued collaboration in partnering with pilots on important safety and construction issues.
“The Portland International Airport team understands the advantage of including pilots in projects that effect the environment we operate in each day,” said Capt. Tim Canoll, ALPA’s president. “We are proud to be a partner in safety with this extraordinary team and look forward to our continued collaboration on vital airport improvements.”
Oregon’s Portland International has a long history of incorporating the expertise and feedback of ALPA pilots into projects ranging from nonstandard approach light spacing to airspace changes. The PDX team has also been forthcoming in sharing information with pilots about the progress of various construction projects.
Airport officials have repeatedly included ALPA’s airport safety liaisons as premier subject-matter experts in planning meetings, crash drills, and future construction and resurfacing plans. One result of this valuable pilot input has been the modification of ramp lighting in order to enhance visibility during bad weather.
“ALPA thanks and congratulates Portland International officials for their continued commitment to enhancing aviation safety. We are grateful for the opportunity to offer the unique pilot perspective on vital issues that help reduce such issues as runway incursions and surface confusion. We are proud partners in ensuring PDX’s outstanding safety reputation,” added Canoll.
Portland International Airport is home to 17 domestic and international passenger airlines offering nonstop service to more than 65 domestic destinations and 11 international cities. The airport serves more than 17 million passengers annually and averages some 500 scheduled arrivals and departures daily. International nonstop destinations include: Amsterdam, Netherlands; Tokyo, Japan; Vancouver, British Columbia; Calgary, Alberta; Toronto, Ontario; Frankfurt, Germany; Reykjavik, Iceland; Guadalajara, San Jose del Cabo, and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; and, beginning in May 2017, London’s Heathrow Airport. PDX is one of 16 U.S. metro areas with year-round nonstop service to both Europe and Asia, and is served by eight all-cargo air carriers.
“On any given day, travelers may not stop to think about runways, taxiways, airport lighting systems and the like,” said Daren Griffin, Director of Operations for Portland International Airport. “It’s an honor to receive this award from the very users—airline pilots—who recognize the importance of a safe, well-lit and well-maintained airfield. We value our partnership with pilots and the ALPA and look forward to continued collaboration in the future.”
ALPA’s Airport and Ground Environment Group selects the Airport of the Year from nominations made by ALPA’s regional airport safety chairmen and airport safety liaisons who represent pilots’ interests at more than 150 airports in the United States and Canada. Nominations range from small regional airports to some of the busiest airports in the world, but all nominees share a common commitment to the highest safety standards.
Founded in 1931, ALPA is the largest airline pilot union in the world and represents over 54,000 pilots at 31 U.S. and Canadian airlines. Visit the ALPA website at www.alpa.org or follow us on Twitter @WeAreALPA.
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CONTACT: ALPA Media, 703-481-4440 or Media@alpa.org