Release #08.037
August 12, 2008

Pilots Name Boston Logan International their Airport of the Year

WASHINGTON—The Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA) selected Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) as the 2008 “Airport of the Year.” Pilots landed on BOS because of the airport’s extensive efforts to reduce runway incursions and excursions through enhanced markings and technologies, its new physical improvements that reduce congestion and delays, and its multi-faceted approach to emergency exercises.

“Boston Logan leads the U.S. in several categories when it comes to improved aviation safety for the traveling public,” said Capt. Rory Kay, ALPA’s executive air safety chairman. “Pilots like it because they can see the improvements that the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) has implemented over the years—from better runway signage, markings, and new runway status lights to more taxiways, every project makes a difference.”

Officials with Massport have actively sought out and addressed airline pilots’ concerns with safety plans and initiatives related to airfield improvements, adoption of new technologies, advances in airfield procedures and programs, and enhanced emergency planning.

“Boston has even delivered several initiatives, like the enhanced runway marking and signage project, ahead of schedule and gone above and beyond the FAA regulations to make its airport safer,” said Capt. Robert Perkins, ALPA’s airport ground environment (AGE) group chairman. “It’s clear that their management and workers place a high premium on collaboration with all industry representatives to get the job done.”

Capt. Perkins presented the pilot-friendly “Airport of the Year” Award during ALPA’s Air Safety & Security Forum, held in Washington, D.C.

“Boston Logan is deeply honored to receive this award,’’ said Edward C. Freni, director of aviation for Massport. “This award not only signifies that the airport gets it when it comes to making pilots key players on our safety team, it also represents a strong vote of confidence about the work we do to improve safety.’’

ALPA’s AGE Group selects the Airport of the Year from nominations made by ALPA’s Regional Safety Chairmen and Airport Liaison Representatives, who represent pilots’ interests at more than 200 commercial airports in the U.S. 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 world’s largest pilot union representing 55,000 members at 40 airlines in the U.S. and Canada. For more information, visit www.alpa.org.

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ALPA Contacts: Pete Janhunen, Linda Shotwell, Molly Martin, (703) 481-4440, media@alpa.org