RAA 2025 Leaders Conference Celebrates 50 Years

Washington D.C Hosts Regional Aviation Leaders
Aviation leaders from across North America gathered in Washington, DC for the 2025 Regional Airline Association Leaders Conference this past September. This year marked a major milestone: the 50th anniversary of the Regional Airline Association (RAA). Over three days in September, airline executives, industry partners, and policymakers gathered to discuss the future of regional air service, workforce challenges, and modernization opportunities.
MHIRJ as a Diamond Sponsor at RAA 2025
MHIRJ was proud to participate as a Diamond level sponsor, joining key players in the regional aviation ecosystem. The company contributed to high-level conversations shaping the future of aviation and reaffirmed its commitment to supporting safe, reliable, and accessible air service.
“Bringing leaders together from across regional aviation fosters a direct exchange of insights, challenges, and strategies. Events like the RAA Leaders Conference bring focus on our common mission to advance regional air service and accelerate collaborative solutions that benefit the entire industry,” said Stephanie Bento, Government & Industry Affairs Lead, MHIRJ
Celebrating 50 Years of Regional Airline Advocacy
Founded on September 26, 1975, the RAA—originally the Commuter Airline Association of America—began as a small coalition advocating for fair representation of regional carriers. Today, it stands as a powerful voice for regional aviation, supported by its members, partners, and volunteers.
“RAA has been a steadfast advocate for regional aviation, championing safety, small community air service, and operational excellence. This anniversary is a testament to the dedication that all of you in this room have shown along the way,” said Faye Malarkey Black, President & CEO of RAA
Regional Airlines: Backbone of U.S. Air Connectivity
RAA’s influence spans the entire U.S. aviation landscape. In 2024, regional airlines served 635 airports, with 94.5% of all U.S. airports receiving scheduled passenger service from regional carriers. In many states, regional airlines provide 64% of passengers’ only source of air service, making their role essential to national connectivity.
Key Topics: ATC Modernization, Workforce, and Aircraft Lifecycle
The conference featured a focus on ATC modernization, continued efforts to focus on safe and strong regional airline workforce, labor shortages, and business trends. Panelists and policymakers discussed strategies for collaboration between airlines, challenges in workforce, and debated falsities in interpretations of industry forecasts and the future of regional aircraft. When the misconception that 50-seater aircraft is at the end of its lifecycle became a topic, it was fiercely defended in front of a full crowd of attendees. “Let me start by dispelling a myth... 50 seat aircraft are nowhere near the end of their life. That is a falsehood. The airplanes were built for 80,000 cycles. Most of them are at 30-40,000 cycles today. So they have plenty of life left ahead of them,” said Ross Mitchell, SVP Strategy, Business Development & Communications, MHIRJ
Looking Ahead: The Future of Regional Aviation
Spirited conversations like these are crucial to ensuring small and rural communities remain connected to the national transportation network. MHIRJ looks forward to building on the momentum of this milestone event and continuing to advance regional aviation for the next fifty years.
Learn more at raa.org
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RAA 2025 Leaders Conference Celebrates 50 Years

Washington D.C Hosts Regional Aviation Leaders
Aviation leaders from across North America gathered in Washington, DC for the 2025 Regional Airline Association Leaders Conference this past September. This year marked a major milestone: the 50th anniversary of the Regional Airline Association (RAA). Over three days in September, airline executives, industry partners, and policymakers gathered to discuss the future of regional air service, workforce challenges, and modernization opportunities.
MHIRJ as a Diamond Sponsor at RAA 2025
MHIRJ was proud to participate as a Diamond level sponsor, joining key players in the regional aviation ecosystem. The company contributed to high-level conversations shaping the future of aviation and reaffirmed its commitment to supporting safe, reliable, and accessible air service.
“Bringing leaders together from across regional aviation fosters a direct exchange of insights, challenges, and strategies. Events like the RAA Leaders Conference bring focus on our common mission to advance regional air service and accelerate collaborative solutions that benefit the entire industry,” said Stephanie Bento, Government & Industry Affairs Lead, MHIRJ
Celebrating 50 Years of Regional Airline Advocacy
Founded on September 26, 1975, the RAA—originally the Commuter Airline Association of America—began as a small coalition advocating for fair representation of regional carriers. Today, it stands as a powerful voice for regional aviation, supported by its members, partners, and volunteers.
“RAA has been a steadfast advocate for regional aviation, championing safety, small community air service, and operational excellence. This anniversary is a testament to the dedication that all of you in this room have shown along the way,” said Faye Malarkey Black, President & CEO of RAA
Regional Airlines: Backbone of U.S. Air Connectivity
RAA’s influence spans the entire U.S. aviation landscape. In 2024, regional airlines served 635 airports, with 94.5% of all U.S. airports receiving scheduled passenger service from regional carriers. In many states, regional airlines provide 64% of passengers’ only source of air service, making their role essential to national connectivity.
Key Topics: ATC Modernization, Workforce, and Aircraft Lifecycle
The conference featured a focus on ATC modernization, continued efforts to focus on safe and strong regional airline workforce, labor shortages, and business trends. Panelists and policymakers discussed strategies for collaboration between airlines, challenges in workforce, and debated falsities in interpretations of industry forecasts and the future of regional aircraft. When the misconception that 50-seater aircraft is at the end of its lifecycle became a topic, it was fiercely defended in front of a full crowd of attendees. “Let me start by dispelling a myth... 50 seat aircraft are nowhere near the end of their life. That is a falsehood. The airplanes were built for 80,000 cycles. Most of them are at 30-40,000 cycles today. So they have plenty of life left ahead of them,” said Ross Mitchell, SVP Strategy, Business Development & Communications, MHIRJ
Looking Ahead: The Future of Regional Aviation
Spirited conversations like these are crucial to ensuring small and rural communities remain connected to the national transportation network. MHIRJ looks forward to building on the momentum of this milestone event and continuing to advance regional aviation for the next fifty years.
Learn more at raa.org
- Log in to post comments