The Tony Jannus Distinguished Aviation Society provides financial support to students enrolled in college courses leading to degrees related to commercial aviation. Each year, the organization also nominates a worthy industry leader to receive the Tony Jannus Award for extraordinary accomplishments in the field of commercial aviation.
The award perpetuates the legacy of the world’s first scheduled commercial airline flight, piloted by Tony Jannus, on January 1, 1914 between St. Petersburg and Tampa, Florida.
On Friday morning, it was my honor to attend the annual spring press conference at TPA where our very own Gary Kelly was announced as the 2016 Tony Jannus Award Recipient! He is in great company with past winners, including Herb who received the award in 1993 and Colleen who achieved the award in 2007. We are very proud that three of our Southwest Leaders have been recognized with this outstanding award.
To celebrate the legacy of commercial aviation, aviation education, and the more than 50,000 Southwest Employees who build our industry every day as “One Team, All Heart,” we will feature the Tony Jannus Award logo on one of our 737-700s throughout this year.
To learn more about the Tony Jannus Distinguished Aviation Society, including their annual essay contest for high school students, visit: http://www.tonyjannusaward.com.
Thanks for all that you do to make commercial aviation one of the best industries in the world!