Airlines for America Congratulates Nicholas E. Calio for Receiving the 2024 Glen A. Gilbert Memorial Award

WASHINGTON, November 8, 2024 - Airlines for America (A4A) President and CEO Nicholas E. Calio accepted the 2024 Glen A. Gilbert Memorial Award, presented by ATCA, last night in Washington, D.C. The award celebrates an individual who has made lifelong contributions and commitments to the aviation industry.

"Watching his advocacy for our nation's airlines for many years, his relationships have been built on trust, which is why people across the political spectrum value his insight," Rachel Jackson, Chair of the ATCA Board of Directors, said upon presenting the award to Nick. "We are very happy to see Nick's career long efforts recognized with ATCA's highest honor - the Glen A. Gilbert Memorial Award."

"I'm truly humbled to receive this prestigious honor, following so many industry greats who I deeply respect," Calio said. "Success has many authors, and I wouldn't be here without my A4A colleagues who work each day for the betterment of our industry."

The award is dedicated to the memory Glen A. Gilbert - one of the "Fathers of Air Traffic Control." Gilbert was instrumental in developing the first air traffic control system in the United States. Calio stressed the need for continued investment in our air traffic control system and aggressive hiring to mitigate the ongoing air traffic controller shortage.

[Link]

"We're pleased that the FAA announced Tulsa Community College and the University of Oklahoma will become the first two CTI schools, providing students the same curriculum as the ATC Academy in Oklahoma City," Calio said. Calio also addressed the need to ensure the FAA's Facilities & Equipment budget is not only fully funded, but also has the flexibility the agency needs to address the most pressing modernization issues.

"We are truly at an inflection point," Calio said. "We all need to join together and work with the FAA to not only raise awareness - but to spur real action now."

During his tenure at A4A, Calio has advocated for U.S. airlines both domestically and internationally. Under his leadership, Airlines for America played an instrumental role in working with Congress, the Administration, labor and industry partners to ensure the survival of the airline industry during the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent recovery.

"All our carriers took off their brand hats and locked arms to save themselves and this industry. It was not competitor against competitor - it was partner with partner," Calio said, detailing the industry's work during the pandemic. "We worked with both sides of the political aisle, both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue, as well as labor, suppliers, manufacturers, other associations and others. When we are unified, we are very hard to ignore."

"No one in this room would be here tonight if it were not for the collaborative spirit that rescued this industry during the pandemic and put us on the path to recovery," Calio added.

[Link]

Today, the U.S. airline industry is seeing record air travel, employing more people than ever before and transporting millions of tons of cargo around the world, all while remaining the safest mode of transportation. Almost 90% of Americans have flown commercially in their lifetime - a percentage that continues to grow amid unprecedented accessibility and affordability.

"I've said it countless times before - it's amazing that we can fly from coast to coast in a few hours or wake up in a country an ocean way. It's remarkable that we fly 2.6 million people and more than 60,000 tons of cargo each day," Calio said. "It's all because of the miracle of aviation."

SHARE ON SOCIAL:

• Facebook
• Twitter
• LinkedIn

More

More