Airlines for America Names Former FAA Policy Expert and Pilot Dan Elwell to Role of Senior Vice President, Safety, Security and Operations

WASHINGTON, Jan. 3, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Airlines for America (A4A), the industry trade organization for the leading U.S. airlines, today named former Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Assistant Administrator for Aviation Policy, Planning and Environment, and commercial airline pilot Dan Elwell as Senior Vice President, Safety, Security and Operations. Elwell joins A4A from the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA), where he was Vice President of Civil Aviation, responsible for monitoring domestic and international civil aviation policy, and legislative and regulatory activity for the U.S. aerospace manufacturing industry.

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At A4A, Elwell will lead the advancement of the airline industry's well-deserved reputation for safety excellence while focusing on streamlining system operations to improve efficiency. Elwell will also serve as a liaison on safety, security and operations issues with governmental agencies, including the Departments of Transportation and Homeland Security, FAA and Transportation Security Administration.

"Dan is uniquely qualified for this role at A4A, with an unmatched combination of operational, government and policy experience," said A4A President and CEO Nicholas E. Calio. "He is highly regarded with strong relationships in the airline industry, on the Hill and within the Administration, and will be a key advocate as we work to advance a National Airline Policy and continue to improve the efficiency of the air transportation management system."

Prior to joining AIA, Elwell was FAA Assistant Administrator for Aviation Policy, Planning and Environment, responsible for development and implementation of U.S. aviation policy, near- and long-term forecasting and planning, and the FAA environmental research and regulatory division.

Elwell also served as Managing Director of International and Government Affairs with American Airlines, where he worked with Departments of Transportation and State on bilateral and multilateral aviation negotiations and international alliances. Elwell is a former Captain with American Airlines, rated to fly

DC-10, MD-80 and B-767 aircraft. Elwell is a retired Lieutenant Colonel with the U.S. Air Force, having flown combat missions in Operation Desert Storm, and is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy with a degree in international affairs.

"I am pleased to join a very dynamic team at A4A, which is clearly focused on addressing the infrastructure, regulatory and tax changes needed to improve the flying experience for customers and shippers," Elwell said. "I look forward to leveraging my career in the airline industry to continue to improve what is today our safest mode of transportation."

Elwell will report to Calio, and joins A4A on Feb. 1.

ABOUT A4A

Annually, commercial aviation helps drive more than $1 trillion in U.S. economic activity and more than 10 million U.S. jobs. A4A airline members and their affiliates transport more than 90 percent of all U.S. airline passenger and cargo traffic. For more information about the airline industry, visit www.airlines.org and follow us on Twitter @airlinesdotorg.

SOURCE Airlines for America