Alexandria, VA -- The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) – the voice of the global business travel industry – released the following statement in advance of President Barack Obama’s nationwide speech to Congress scheduled for 7 PM ET today.

GBTA is hopeful President Obama and Congress reach an agreement on a long term re-authorization of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). A strong bill is critical for moving forward with FAA’s Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen), which will modernize the nation’s air travel system. This program is vital to ease congestion, reduce delays, and lessen fuel use.

GBTA implores Congress and President Obama to act quickly to achieve a long-term agreement before the current extension of the FAA bill expires on September 16, 2011 to avoid another partial shutdown of this critical agency.

GBTA executive director and COO Michael W. McCormick said: “Finalizing the FAA Reauthorization bill should be a high priority for the federal government. We are hopeful a long-term authorization will be passed before the current extension expires on September 16th. Passing the bill allows FAA to improve the transportation system and ensure the safety of air passengers. Travel is vital to the nation’s economy, corporations spend on travel to grow their business and further contribute to the economy and improving our system is crucial to ensure travel continues. The FAA reauthorization is long overdue. It’s time to get this done.”

About the Global Business Travel Association The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) is the world’s premier business travel and meetings organization. Collectively, GBTA’s 5,000-plus members manage over $340 billion of global business travel and meetings expenditures annually. GBTA provides its network of 17,000 business and government travel and meetings managers, as well as travel service providers, with networking events, news, education & professional development, research, and advocacy. For more information, visit gbta.org.