2004 Milestones
Airports Testify Before House on US VISIT to Address Outstanding Issues Before More Border Control Requirements Are Added
(March 4, 2004) – ACI-NA President David Z. Plavin testified before the House Government Reform Committee on the goals and challenges of the US-VISIT Program, the newly implemented entry-exit tracking program intended to enhance national security by verifying foreign national travelers' identities through the comparison of biometric identifiers.
Passenger Traffic Grows by 0.6 Percent in 2003; Cargo Grows by 0.9 Percent
(June
4, 2004) - ACI-NA announced
that more than 1.34 billion passengers traveled the skies in 2003. Both
passenger traffic and cargo grew slightly by 0.6 percent and 0.9 percent
respectively, while total operations decreased 2.4 percent.
9/11 Commission Supports Prompt EDS Installation at Airports
(August
4, 2004) – ACI-NA
President David Z. Plavin and American Association of Airport Executives
President Chip Barclay urged President Bush and key lawmakers to implement the
9/11 Commission's recommendation to expedite the installation of Explosive
Detection Systems (EDS) machines into baggage systems at airports around the
country. Plavin and Barclay outlined the need for enhancing aviation security
by removing EDS machines from crowded airport lobbies and integrating them with
baggage systems. The associations noted that the Administration's budget
request for Fiscal Year 2005 included only $250 million for EDS installation -
half of the $500 million per year authorized by Congress.
World Business Partners Membership Program Offers Reciprocal Benefits for both ACI-World and ACI-NA Associate Members
(Sept. 15, 2004) - ACI Director General, Robert J. Aaronson, and ACI-NA President, David Z. Plavin, announced that they concluded their collaborative efforts to provide a stronger set of worldwide business opportunities for associate members.
Effective Jan.1, 2005, Associates enrolled under the ACI-NA Platinum, Diamond, Gold and Silver category levels (formerly known at the ACI-NA region as Board, Leadership, Patron and Sponsor levels respectively) will receive benefits similar to those offered to current World Business Partners.