A.B. Won Pat International Airport Authority, Guam

About 200 aviation officials will convene on Guam for the Federal Aviation Authority’s Annual “Pacific Aviation Directors Workshop” beginning Tuesday, March 13 through 15, 2012 at the Westin Resort Guam discussing issues surrounding the theme “Aviation Safety through International Leadership, Education and Marketing .”

“FAA officials from the Western Pacific Region will be reviewing aviation technical operations, runway safety issues and enhancements, to name a few of the agenda items. Regional Airport managers from Guam, Palau, Yap, Kosrae, Chuuk, Pohnpei, Commonwealth Ports Authority, American Samoa, Hawaii and the Marshall Islands will be presenting their Airport updates, and an airline panel will convene to discuss navigational equipment issues,” stated Charles H. Ada II, Executive Manager. “Having just taken over the reigns of the A.B. Won Pat International Airport Authority, Guam, I am excited to network with FAA Managers with oversight over our airports and my colleagues on these key and current issues in aviation safety.”

FAA Regional Administrator, William C. Withycombe, is on island to meet with island airport managers, along with his Western Pacific regional staff and the Airport District office out of Honolulu. The FAA annually awards millions of dollars in grant funding for aviation safety and facility enhancement projects throughout the Pacific. In Guam’s case, key projects include extension of primary runway 6L/24R, installation of navigational equipment, demolition of former naval housing units, the Airport Geographic Information System, and Noise Mitigation of residences affected by airport operations.

Aviation is a high profile issue for all of Micronesia as key regional issues center around transportation and accessibility to build our regional economies. The current state of air transport and expansion of industries dependent on passenger and cargo movement are certain to be discussed at the Micronesian Chiefs Executive Summit sponsored by Governor Eddie B. Calvo being held concurrently this week on Guam.

“The FAA’s support and contribution to the development of our Airport is key to maintaining our role as the regional hub for Micronesia and in attaining rank in the top 10 US Airports for International Arrivals,” said Executive Manager Charles Ada II. In its December 2011 report, the US Department of Commerce, International Trade Association, Office of Travel and Tourism, ranked Guam 8th in terms of international arrivals. Source: www.tinet.ita.doc.gov/view/m-2011-I-001/…/top_ports.xls.