FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 30, 2005
AKRON-CANTON AIRPORT RECEIVES FAA SAFETY EXCELLENCE AWARD
Green, OH: The fastest growing airport in Ohio is also one of the safest according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). At the 21st Annual Great Lakes Region Airport Conference in Chicago earlier this month, the airport's operations manager Todd Laps accepted an Airport Safety Excellence award for outstanding operational improvements and significant safety enhancements. The Great Lakes Region includes all airports in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
"We are so proud of our operations personnel because this award is the result of a lot of hard work and vigilance," said airport director Fred Krum. "Passenger and employee safety has always been our highest priority and we very much appreciate the FAA's recognition of our efforts."
The list of 2004-05 improvements includes but is not limited to:
1. Installed runway guard lights at the primary runway intersections with a new taxiway
2. Developed and implemented a comprehensive ground vehicle training and safety program
3. Developed wide-ranging construction and security guidelines training booklet that is distributed to
contractors and employees with access to the airfield
4. Received no letter of correction discrepancies during the annual airport certification inspection
5. Installed approximately eight miles of 10 feet high perimeter fence to dramatically reduce the presence
of wildlife on the airfield. Additionally, with the assistance of USDA Wildlife Services personnel, cleared
30 acres of woodlands to increase airline and airport safety
"Their objective is to consistently maintain the highest level of safety at all times," said the nomination form submitted to the FAA airports division manager, Jeri Alles. Akron-Canton Airport (CAK) was the second fastest growing airport in the nation from 2001-2004, with a 100 percent increase in capacity over that time. CAK offers the lowest average fare in Ohio attracting passengers from Akron, Canton, Cleveland, Youngstown and western Pennsylvania. In 2005, Frontier Airlines commenced low-fare, nonstop flights to Denver aboard A319 jets with satellite TV in every seatback and AirTran Airways added nonstop flights to Ft. Lauderdale and Las Vegas. Additionally, AirTran Airways announced new nonstop flights to Ft. Myers beginning January 12, 2006 and Delta Connection will add nonstop flights to Orlando beginning December 15th.
AirTran Airways, Frontier Airlines, Delta Connection carriers, Northwest Airlink, United Express, and US Airways Express serve the growing Akron-Canton market. Additional airport information is available at www.akroncantonairport.com. Akron-Canton Airport, a better way to go.
Contacts:
Frederick J. Krum
Airport Director
Rick McQueen
Assistant Airport Director
rmcqueen@akroncantonairport.com
Akron- 330-896-2376
Canton- 330-499-4059