Energy/Air Service Summit Tackles Fuel Crisis

To mobilize the aviation community and government agencies on air service issues related to rising fuel costs, a handful of government, aviation and energy leaders will meet July 10 at a formal Energy/Air Service Summit in Washington, D.C.

Organizations backing the event include the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE), the Air Transport Association, International Air Transport Association, Airports Council International-North America, the Regional Airline Association and the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA).

"We're hoping to shine a light on the very real problem that a dip in air service/operations will have on airports and the entire aviation industry," AAE spokesman Sean Broderick said.

Elements of national energy policies will be discussed too. Overall, the meeting will enable all stakeholders to understand their unique challenges, Broderick said.

NBAA president Ed Bolen is one speaker scheduled to present the GA perspective.

The AAAE also is starting a task force of airport executives to focus on what airports can do to mitigate fuel issues. GA airport executives are among the 70-odd participants alreadty committed, Broderick said. The task force will meet for the first time on July 9.

"Join this industry summit to confront the issues that threaten the viability of our transportation system," the invitation says.