Tampa, Florida, September 29 2021 – Aviation News
Sheltair Aviation, in partnership with Women in Aviation International (WAI), celebrated 2021
Girls in Aviation Day (GIAD) to educate and empower young women about different career fields,
opportunities, and interests in the aviation industry. The highly anticipated event was hosted
with the collaborative support of Lisa Holland, President of Sheltair Aviation, at Sheltair TPA in
Tampa International Airport on Saturday, September 25th. Girls In Aviation Day welcomed over
100 attendees and more than 40 volunteers.
With support from Project Manager Mariah Blackmon, WAI Tampa Bay Chapter's President
Allison Abellaneda opened the GIAD event, followed by an inspiring ceremony of the Wesley
Chapel Knights Civil Air Patrol Color Guard and a warm welcome from Lisa Holland. Attending
guests experienced an inspiring sample of what general aviation has to offer. The event provided
the future generation of aviators a unique opportunity to come face-to-face with aircraft and
their crews. The diversified onsite display, which was the center of attention for all attendees,
included two Cessna 172, a Cessna 310, two helicopters, and the Icon A5. In addition, TPA's
Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting unit and TPA Police showcased a fire truck, a police vehicle, and
a furry member of their K9 team.
The crews, volunteers, and sponsors provided inspiring educational activities throughout the day.
Members of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), often referred to as
the Hurricane Hunters, educated guests on their integral role in meteorologic forecasting while
displaying their storm tracking technology equipment. Sheltair and Jetex offered giveaways
sparking interest in the aviation industry, while National Aviation Academy provided a craft table
for attendees to create their custom aviation-themed jewelry. A Frontier Airlines crew from
Colorado also attended the venue, in addition to retired United Airlines captain Aya
Konstantinou.
Providing a further commitment to women's empowerment in the aviation industry, Lisa Holland
also spoke at the end of the celebration while pledging Sheltair's support to WAI, inviting guests
to the next version of the venue in 2022, and thanking the GIAD sponsors who made this day
possible.
"As a woman in aviation, I'm honored to be in a position where I can help inspire young women
in their path of becoming the aviation industry's future," said Lisa Holland. "It is important that
we continue to support upcoming generations in our communities by representing them and
providing viable options. Sheltair proudly supports Women in Aviation International and we look
forward to further encourage and inspire today's dreamers to be tomorrow's achievers through
this partnership."
Along with Sheltair, the GIAD event at Tampa International airport was made possible with the
participation of generous sponsors. Adsizzle, Air Culinaire, Alabama Skydiving Inc, Frontier,
Hillsborough County Sheriff's department, Icon Aircraft, Jetex, National Aviation Academy,
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Odyssey Airways, Primo's Gourmet
Catering, Superior Aviation Gateway, Tampa Bay Aviation Association, Tampa Bay Aviation,
Tampa General Aeromed Team, and Tampa International Airport Operations, Airport Police
Department, Airport Fire Fighting & Rescue, and General Aviation Team.
About Sheltair
Sheltair is a family-owned company that enjoys a national reputation for its superior customer
focus and service-driven corporate culture. Founded in 1963 by Jerry Holland, father of current
Sheltair President Lisa Holland, it is the nation's largest privately-owned aviation network,
proudly operating 19 award-winning FBOs and a portfolio of over 4.5 million square feet of
aviation-related properties across the country.
About Women in Aviation International
We are a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the encouragement and advancement of
women in all aviation career fields and interests. WAI membership is open to women and men
from all segments of the aviation industry and in all stages of their career. https://www.wai.org
2022 Charlotte Douglas International Airport Report of Achievement
Giving back to the community is central to what Charlotte Douglas International Airport and its operator, the City of Charlotte Aviation Department, is about, and last year was no different.
Throughout 2022, while recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, we continued our efforts to have a positive impact on the Charlotte community. Of particular note, we spent the year sharing stories of how Connections Don't Just Happen at the Terminal - from creating homeownership and employment opportunities to supporting economic growth through small-business development and offering outreach programs to help residents understand the Airport better.
This whitepaper highlights the construction projects, initiatives, programs and events that validate Charlotte Douglas as a premier airport.
Download the whitepaper: 2022 Charlotte Douglas International Airport Report of Achievement.