TUCSON, AZ – Congressman Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ) released the following statement congratulating the Yuma International Airport on being named the 2015 Arizona Airport of the Year by the Arizona Department of Transportation.

“Congratulations to the men and women whose hard work and dedication to their community brought Yuma International Airport the award of Arizona Airport of the Year for 2015,” said Rep. Grijalva. “The fact that this recognition comes directly from the community that YIA serves makes the honor that much more profound. Yuma International Airport is more than a hub for travel – it hosts welcome home celebrations for our troops, engages students with tours and promotes careers in aviation, and houses a military comfort center inside of its terminal. In every sense of the word, this airport embodies its community. Congratulations again to Yuma International Airport!”

Yuma International Airport’s 2015 Airport of the Year award comes after YIA conducted an expansive Community Outreach Program over the past five years. YIA was nominated by members of the Yuma community for its efforts to ensure local involvement as its facilities were developed. The Arizona Department of Transportation specifically recognized YIA for its Defense Contractor Complex, its efforts rehabilitating the Terminal apron, its Rolle Field Master Plan, its sponsorship and involvement in the 2014 Marine Corps Air Station Yuma Air Show, and for its work with NASA, including being named an official launch watch site for the Orion Space Program.

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