Blue Grass Airport (LEX) in Lexington, Ky., has been presented with the Airport Safety Mark of Distinction Award by the FAA. Awarded at the FAA Southern Region 2011 Airport Safety and Certification Conference in Atlanta, the airport received this honor for construction of its new general aviation runway and associated taxiways and for the development of an airport operations department.
The FAA developed this award to promote safety among the FAA Southern Region certificated airports and to recognize actions and efforts involving an airport that deserves praise for its demonstrated effect on the advancement of safety, according to agency officials.
“It is a tremendous honor for our airport to receive such a distinguished award,” said Eric Frankl, executive director at Blue Grass Airport. “I am proud of our operations and public safety staff as well as our maintenance staff for all of their hard work in making a number of changes over the past year. Providing a safe airfield environment for our airlines and passengers is our first priority.”
In August 2010, the airport hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new general aviation runway, Runway 9-27. This 4,000-foot runway is used by private and corporate general aviation aircraft and enhances safety during crosswind conditions, according to airport officials. General aviation activity accounts for approximately 65% of the total operations at Blue Grass Airport.
In addition to the new runway, Blue Grass Airport has created an operations team over the past year that coordinates all safety and operational activities with external agencies. This includes working with the FAA, Transportation Security Administration, airlines, general aviation, tenants and other organizations.
For more information: BlueGrassAirport.com
