DFW International Airport Hosts 4,000 Students at Fourth Annual Aviation & Transportation Career Expo

DFW INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Texas, Dec. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 4,000 North Texas students arrived today at DFW International Airport in an effort to gain career knowledge at the Airport's fourth annual Aviation & Transportation Career Expo -- one of the largest educational events of the year in North Texas. The Expo gives students from Dallas, Fort Worth and the neighboring community an opportunity to learn about careers in a variety of aviation and transportation fields -- from aviation to ground transportation to emergency response.

This year, the students were treated to autographed photos from the Grand Marshal of the Expo, DFW Board Chairman and noted air show pilot Jan Collmer. Collmer is a 20-year air show veteran with more than 300 shows completed.

"What a great pleasure it is for me to have a chance to meet these outstanding students," said Collmer. "These students were given a fresh look at aviation and transportation careers to open their eyes not only to the success they can achieve at an airport like DFW but in any career they choose to pursue."

Students also saw the latest technology from many types of transportation fields, as well as demonstrations from over forty exhibitors including Lockheed-Martin, General Motors, the FAA, the Civil Air Patrol, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and more. Students took part in interactive games using a flight simulator, went on a trivia treasure hunt and made flying paper airplanes.

"The Expo is a terrific platform for students to see and touch new technology and information that are now a part of aviation and transportation-related careers," said Jeff Fegan, CEO of DFW. "DFW is proud to provide the environment for these students to see how our Airport works and how many modes of transportation are interconnected to each other and connect our world."

The Expo was again staged in one of American Airlines' massive maintenance hangars at DFW. The main attractions included static displays of vintage aircraft, vehicle displays, and hands-on demonstrations and exhibits. The Aviation & Transportation Career Expo also featured representatives from industry, government and academic institutions, all available to answer questions and talk directly to students and teachers.

Participating companies and organizations at the Expo include: DFW International Airport, Federal Aviation Administration, Transportation Security Administration, Jan Collmer Airshows, Texas Department of Transportation, Gulfstream Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney CSA, Texas Motor Speedway, the University of Texas -- Arlington, Bell Helicopter Textron, Aviation Institute of Maintenance, American Airlines, American Eagle, AeroVents.com, Air Force Academy, Air Force ROTC, Civil Air Patrol, U.S. Customs & Border Protection, City of Dallas -- Department of Aviation, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Flight Safety International, General Motors, Golden Heart Foundation, Lockheed Martin, Mountain View College, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, DFW Women in Aviation, Professional Aviation Maintenance Association (PAMA) DFW Chapter, Soaring Dreams, Tarrant County College, TCC-NCATT, Fort Worth Transportation Authority (The "T"), the Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. Claude R. Platte DFW Chapter, Texas Air National Guard, URS Corporation, Vintage Flying Museum, Ninety-Nines, and S&S Aviators.

DFW International Airport's Public Affairs Department organizes and coordinates the annual Expo as part of the Department's overall community affair's program to promote aviation and education in North Texas.

"This is one of the most important community outreach programs of our Airport and we are proud of the support of the Fort Worth and Dallas school districts as well as all the school districts that participate in the Expo," said Ken Capps, vice president of public affairs for DFW. "Our Airport and our sponsors are very committed to the youth of North Texas and the students we see at the Expo are the future leaders of our community and our industry."

About DFW International Airport

Located halfway between the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas, DFW International Airport is the world's third busiest, offering nearly 1,900 flights per day and serving 60 million passengers a year. Ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction for Large Airports" in North America by J.D. Power and Associates, and named as 2006's "Best Airport for Customer Service in the Americas" by an Airports Council International survey of passengers, DFW International Airport provides non-stop service to 135 domestic and 38 international destinations worldwide. DFW International Airport contributes 305,000 jobs, $7.6 billion in payroll and $16.6 billion in economic activity every year for North Texas, according to the Texas Department of Transportation's 2005 aviation economic impact study. For the latest news, real-time flight information, parking availability or further details regarding the many services provided at DFW International Airport, log on to http://www.dfwairport.com. For J.D. Power and Associates Award information, visit http://www.jdpower.com.