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“COMMEMORATING THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ANTONIO B. WON PAT GUAM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Commerce was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E80-E81 on Feb. 1, 2016.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
COMMEMORATING THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ANTONIO B. WON PAT GUAM
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY
______
HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO
of guam
in the house of representatives
Monday, February 1, 2016
Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate the staff and management of the Antonio B. Won Pat Guam International Airport Authority (GIAA) on their 40th anniversary of service to the people of Guam. The Guam International Airport Authority has grown steadily over the past 40 years and has played a vital role in the development of Guam, especially success of the island's visitor industry over the past 40 years. When the Guam Airport first began, all airport business was handled as a division of the Guam Department of Commerce. In 1976, the GIAA became a government agency through the enactment of Guam Public Law 13-57. During this period of the airport's history, Pan American Airways, Continental Air Micronesia and Japan Airlines were the only airline carriers to service Guam and utilize the facilities.
The Guam International Airport Authority has made tremendous progress over the last 40 years and has become a critical transportation hub in the Asia-Pacific region. GIAA has facilitated the growth of Guam's economy and visitor industry. Guam's tourism economy relies heavily on GIAA facilities for a positive passenger experience when traveling to Guam. The airport has added two terminal buildings with the second and current terminal completed in September 1998 as part of a $241M expansion and construction project. This is the single largest improvement project competed by the Government of Guam.
As the airport expanded its operations, additional airline carriers began service out of Guam. In 1981, Continental Micronesia added flights to Japan and Northwest Airlines began regularly scheduled services. In 1983, All Nippon Airways (ANA) began charter flights to Guam and then opened their international services three years later. Continental Air Micronesia introduced direct air service between Guam and Hong Kong in 1984. Soon after in 1986, the United States Congress passed the Omnibus Territories Act to include visa waivers for several countries and expanded the doors for more tourism arrivals. The GIAA passed its ``one million passenger'' mark in 1988 and was renamed the
``Antonio B. Won Pat Guam International Air Terminal'' after Guam's first Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives. Soon after in 1990, Korea was granted a visa waiver and Continental Air Micronesia began air services in Seoul and expanded flights in Japan. In 1995, GIAA took on more responsibility when it became the only commercial airport on Guam with the closure of Naval Air Station. With increased services in the Asian region, Guam was ranked the 4th top U.S. gateway to and from Asia and Australia in 1999. Growth and expansion continued for the GIAA after the turn of the new millennium and in 2007, the airport's total economic contributions were totaled at $1.7 billion with 20,440 jobs generated.
The Guam International Airport Authority has continued expanding with cargo and other facilities while practicing its duties as a responsible neighbor and community partner. Anticipating the needs of an increased tourism economy and the growth associated with the military realignment, the airport undertook these efforts to prepare for increased cargo traffic on Guam. Further, a multimillion dollar noise mitigation program was implemented for houses in the area beginning in 2009. Air services have expanded even more with increased flights in the region on new and existing expanding airlines. GIAA has continued to provide consistent service and good facility throughout the turbulent history of airline mergers. The airport has also adapted to welcome Russian tourists when President Obama instructed DHS to allow them to visit Guam without a visa in 2014. The airport has kept high standards for itself to ensure the safety of its patrons and the people of Guam. In 2014, the 1st Cycle of the Airport's Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Division was installed.
While the airport has made major achievements in the last 40 years, the GIAA leadership continues to look to growth in the future. In 2014, they began a capital improvement program with plans to further enhance their facilities that will provide nearly $167 million of economic activity into the local economy. I look forward to continue working with GIAA to ensure that they are provided with federal funding to support their future growth and facilities enhancements. Our airport is a critical link in our entire island's economy.
Again. I congratulate Antonio B. Won Pat Guam International Airport Authority and commend its leadership and all employees for their contributions to our local community and throughout the Asia-Pacific region. I thank and commend all of the GIAA's tenants and partners for their commitment to the airport and the community of Guam. I join the people of Guam in recognizing the GIAA on their 40th anniversary and I look forward to their future contributions and success.
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