Quantcast

Aviation community mourns Sen. James Inhofe's passing at age 89

Spirit Airlines to add Detroit nonstop flight out of Bradley International Airport
Major airline to launch new direct flights from Scotland to North America
Qantas’ free international Wi-Fi to switch on from next week
The real reason Southwest is charging for bags now
Air France-KLM in ongoing talks with Air Europa on potential stake, CEO says
Frontier Savagely Shades Southwest After They Eliminated Longstanding Free Bag Policy, Sparking Backlash
Frontier Wants You to 'Divorce Your Old Airline' After Southwest Changes
Delta named one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies for sustainability initiatives
Passengers escape fiery American Airlines jet in Denver
Delta, American Dive On Slashed Outlooks; But Two Airlines Rally
Competitors are circling Southwest after the airline announced it's going to start charging for checked bags
Exclusive: Dominican Low-Cost Carrier Arajet Wants to Disrupt NYC Market
Boeing deliveries rise 63% in February from a year earlier
Transportation Secretary Duffy Lays Out 10 Ways the FAA Is Working to Upgrade Air Traffic Control and Make Flying Safer
EasyJet pilot Paul Elsworth suspended after flying too close to mountain
Delta Air Lines bets on ‘blended-wing’ flight to reduce emissions
Europe's airlines pivot to bite size M&A deals to limit cost, regulatory burden
Dave Emerson named new CEO of Virgin Australia, replacing Jayne Hrdlicka
Ryanair DELAYS controversial new boarding pass rule to avoid summer chaos
FAA Orders Inspection, Replacement of 737NG Engine Parts
Spirit Adds New Airport, Three Routes
Delta crash passengers should take the $30,000 payment, their lawyers say. Here’s why.
Budget airline launches new cheap flights to one of the UK’s top winter sun destinations
Brazilian airline Azul to go 'back to basics' after challenging 2024
Airlines cancel flights as air travel to ‘grind to complete halt’ this week ahead of major strike action in Europe
Dramatic moment American Airlines plane diverted to Rome is escorted by fighter jets after mid-air bomb threat
Jetstar Faces Major Backlash as Nationwide System Outage Causes Travel Chaos, Stranding Passengers and Disrupting Flights Across the Australian Airline Industry
Sudden oil supply outages creating turbulence for airline industry
Southwest's layoffs dent its worker-first culture
Abu Dhabi's long-haul carrier Etihad Airways sees record $476 million profit in 2024
Aviation community mourns Sen. James Inhofe's passing at age 89
Policy
Webp 4icawwvtg7mupp051grumj0ndq6y
JSX Aircraft | Official Website

The aviation community is mourning the loss of former Senator James Inhofe, who passed away at the age of 89. Inhofe was known for his passion for flying and his legislative contributions to aviation, including spearheading two Pilots Bill of Rights measures and helping bring the General Aviation Revitalization Act (GARA) of 1994 to the House floor. He retired from the Senate in January 2023 after a career spanning 36 years.

"Sen. Inhofe was a master legislator and general aviation’s great champion," said NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen. "Those two truths are reflected in every aviation bill that has passed Congress and been signed into law over the past 35 years."

Bolen highlighted Inhofe's role in advancing GARA through a discharge petition, as well as his involvement in various FAA reauthorization bills that protected general aviation's access to airspace and airports. "There is no one who has done more to help the United States have the largest, safest, most diverse, and most efficient aviation system in the world," Bolen added.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

NATA president and CEO Curt Castagna echoed these sentiments, stating, "Sen. Inhofe’s legislative skill and deep understanding of the importance of general aviation left an indelible mark on our nation’s aviation infrastructure and skilled workforce."

Eric Fanning, president and CEO of Aerospace Industries Association (AIA), described Inhofe as one of the U.S. Senate’s "greatest champions of American aerospace and defense." Fanning noted that Inhofe was a skilled pilot with a remarkable legacy of dedication to both civilian aviation and military support.

Inhofe first entered Congress in 1986 as a member of the House of Representatives. He became prominent within the general aviation community by advocating for transparency in legislative procedures such as discharge petitions. This advocacy helped move significant legislation like GARA forward.

Throughout his Senate career beginning in 1994, Inhofe continued to support airport infrastructure projects, oppose user fees and tax increases on aviation, and advocate for workforce initiatives.

His love for flying occasionally led to publicized incidents. Notably, he lost a propeller on his Grumman Tiger during a flight to Oklahoma City with then-President Bill Clinton onboard. Another incident involved landing on a closed runway at Port Isabel-Cameron County Airport in Texas; this event spurred him to fight for pilots' rights alongside Senate majority leader Harry Reid.

In 2013, tragedy struck when his son Perry Inhofe died in an aircraft crash near Owasso, Oklahoma.

Beyond aviation, Inhofe was known nationally for opposing climate change measures while chairing the Senate Environmental and Public Works Committee. He also supported defense initiatives as part of his role on the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Ericelda Melendez has been recognized for her leadership and teamwork at Flying Food Group's LAI facility.

Jul 31, 2025

Our facility in Denver recently marked a significant milestone by celebrating 11 years of dedicated service from Armando de Santiago.

Jul 31, 2025

Allegiant Air has announced the addition of seven new nonstop routes and the commencement of service at Fort Myers (RSW), expanding its all-nonstop network.

Jul 30, 2025

Flying Food Group has announced open positions and is inviting candidates to apply online or by email, according to a post on X. According to Food Logistics, Flying Food Group is a leading provider of airline catering and food solutions,...

Jul 30, 2025

Japan Airlines has announced a limited-time sale on overseas flight and hotel packages, featuring discounts for Hawaii and group savings.

Jul 30, 2025

Alaska Airlines has announced the return of its annual fall sale, offering hundreds of one-way flights starting at $49 or 4,000 miles for a limited time.

Jul 30, 2025