Tweed-New Haven Airport Honored with 2025 ‘Inclusion in Aviation’ Award
Recognition highlights HVN’s leadership in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the aviation industry.
Tweed-New Haven Airport (HVN) has been named a 2025 Airport Award Winner by the Northeast Chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives (NEC/AAAE) as part of its annual Inclusion in Aviation Awards. The award recognizes HVN’s leadership in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within the aviation industry.
The Inclusion in Aviation Award celebrates airports which demonstrate measurable commitment to creating inclusive workplaces, expanding community access to aviation careers, and ensuring all travelers feel welcome. HVN was recognized for its year-round initiatives that prioritize equitable growth, accessibility, and meaningful community partnerships. Highlights of HVN’s work in these areas include:
- Community Workforce Partnerships: Hosting an annual career fair with the New Haven Workforce Alliance and American Job Center, connecting over 100 local job seekers from underrepresented backgrounds with opportunities at HVN.
- Inclusive Youth Education & Engagement: Launching immersive student programs such as the Exploring Aviation Open House and the Avelo Aviation Career Exploration (ACE) Program, introducing hundreds of local students to aviation careers.
- Accessibility & Disability Inclusion: Implementing the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program and offering specialized training for all staff to better serve travelers with non-visible disabilities, while hosting travel-readiness programs for individuals with disabilities, first-time flyers, and seniors.
- Inclusive Hiring & Staff Development: Reducing barriers to entry by hiring candidates without prior aviation experience and providing on-the-job training, alongside comprehensive DEI and accessibility training for all employees.
“This award is a testament to the work our team does every day to make sure Tweed-New Haven Airport is more than just a key regional airport, and that we’re also a welcoming place to work and travel to and from,” said Michael Jones, CEO of The New HVN. “We are building pathways into aviation for our youth, creating opportunities for underrepresented job seekers, and ensuring that every passenger, regardless of background or ability, feels valued and supported. This recognition reflects our commitment to diversity, learning and service to our broader HVN community.”
The award was presented during the NEC/AAAE Annual Conference’s opening ceremony, where HVN was recognized among peers for setting a standard in inclusion across the region.
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