Dulles, VA, August 31, 2007 – The Washington Airports Task Force (WATF) today announced the recipients of the 2007 Williams Trophy.  The Williams Trophy commemorates the work of Carrington Williams (1919-2002), among whose many accomplishments was the creation of the Virginia Port Authority and the transformation of Washington Dulles into a major international gateway.  The Trophy is awarded annually to recognize those whose “Leadership, Vision and Dedication in the Application of Aviation or Space have enriched the Quality of Life on Earth.”

The 2007 Williams Trophy will be awarded to four individuals for successfully negotiating the new air service agreement between the United States and the European Union.  The recipients are:

1)                  Jeffrey Shane, Under Secretary for Policy, United States Department of Transportation

2)                  Jacque Barrot, Commissioner for Transportation in the European Union

3)                  John Byerly, Deputy Assistant Secretary Transportation Affairs, U.S. Department of State, and

4)                  Daniel Calleja, European Union Delegation Chairman.

The nomination stated that the new agreement deregulates market aspects of about 70% of the world’s air transportation industry, liberating competition, stimulating travel and creating new jobs on both sides of the Atlantic, and was made possible by the vision, persistence and dedication of these four determined leaders.

 “At the stroke of a pen, the new agreement will help cities on both sides of the Atlantic gain new air services and stimulate new jobs. Indeed, it’s already happening as Aer Lingus will shortly inaugurate flights between Washington Dulles and Dublin,” stated David Whitestone, a member of the WATF Executive Committee and Chairman of the Williams Trophy Selection Committee.