DATE OF DISTRIBUTION: May 13, 2009           FOR RELEASE UPON RECEIPT

TUCSON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
OPENS FOUR LEGGED RELIEF AREA
WOOF!

      What a relief! Tucson International Airport now has an officially designated critter corner for its canine visitors to pause and refresh. Animal owners, and lovers, will find the landscaped lounge - on Concourse P, where else? – outside immediately east of the terminal building, curbside.

      Look for signs to the Prickly Paws Pet Stop. The new bark park is required by an amendment to the Air Carrier Access Act that goes into effect May 13, 2009.

      Tucson Airport Authority employees snapped at the challenge by TAA President/CEO Bonnie Allin to name the pet pit stop and the results were a dog gone howl. The name selected is a combination of three different suggestions.

     T-A-A

     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.

Tucson International Airport
. 8 airlines provide daily nonstop service to 15 destinations
. 2008 Passengers: 4,225,869
. Three Runways: 11L/29R; 11R/29L; 3/21
. Land Area: 8,244 acres
. Elevation: 2,641’

Ryan Airfield
. 2008 Aircraft Operations: 211,259
. Three Runways: 6R/24L, 6L/24R, 15/33
. Land Area: 1,804 acres
. Elevation: 2,417’