DATE OF DISTRIBUTION: March 4, 2008               FOR RELEASE UPON RECEIPT

RYAN AIRFIELD OPEN HOUSE SCHEDULED TO
REVIEW AIRPORT MASTER PLAN
MARCH 19, 2008

     The Tucson Airport Authority (TAA) is hosting a Public Information Workshop on Wednesday, March 19, 2008, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. to review the proposed Airport Alternatives of the Ryan Airfield Master Plan Update.

     “The Master Plan is updated about every seven years,” explained TAA Director of Planning Dennis Cady, “and it is essentially the blueprint for the future. It includes operations forecasts, land use planning, and addresses infrastructure needs for the next 20 years.”

     The public is invited to attend the open house, which will be held in the Conference Room at the Ryan Airfield Administration Building, 9698 W. Ajo Way, Tucson, Arizona. For more information, contact Dennis Cady, 573-5115.

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     The Tucson Airport Authority, TAA, is a nonprofit entity created by State Charter in 1948. Composed of 115 community members, the Authority has a nine-member board of directors that meets monthly. TAA President/CEO Bonnie Allin, oversees day-to-day operations, and a staff of 300 employees. TAA manages Tucson International Airport and Ryan Airfield.

     Ryan Airfield is a general aviation airport located approximately 12 miles west of TIA at Valencia Rd and W. Ajo Way. It was created in 1942 by the Ryan School of Aeronautics as a civilian school to train pilots for World War II. On August 1, 1951 the State of Arizona and the newly formed TAA executed a lease to operate Ryan. In 1960, the State deeded the airfield to the City of Tucson subject to its lease with TAA.

      . 2007 Operations: 249,523
      . Three Runways
      . Land Area: 1,804 acres
      . Elevation: 2,417’