(ANCHORAGE, Alaska) – Governor Parnell proclaims September 2012 as General Aviation Appreciation Month.

The Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) joins with aviation organizations such as the Alaska Air Carriers Association, Alaska Airmen’s Association, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Alaska Airports Association, Federal Aviation Administration, and Alliance for Aviation Across America to recognize the significance of aviation in our state.

General aviation and community airports play a critical role in everyday life for Alaska’s citizens, businesses, industries, and government agencies.  Eighty-two percent of Alaska’s communities are not connected to a highway or road system and rely on aviation to provide all-season access for commerce, transportation, and emergency medical services.

In Alaska, aviation is an economic engine generating 47,000 jobs and $3.5 billion annually in total economic impact.  The Governor encourages Alaskans to appreciate the vital strategic resource general aviation brings to the State of Alaska.

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities oversees 255 airports, 11 ferries serving 35 communities, 5,619 miles of highway and 720 public facilities throughout the state of Alaska. The mission of the department is to “Get Alaska Moving through service and infrastructure.”

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