NWA Northwest Airline

Northwest Airlines today announced Paul Mifsud, vice president of government and legal affairs for its joint venture partner, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, is a recipient of the U.S. Federal Bar Association's "Transportation Lawyer of the Year" Award. Mifsud, an accomplished international aviation attorney and founder of the "Mifnet" online discussion forum, will receive the honor September 25th at the 2008 Federal Bar Association Reception in Washington, D.C. Mifsud's contribution to international aviation policy development is recognized worldwide, including his work as a proponent of the U.S.-EU Open Skies agreement that fully liberalized air transportation between the United States and the European Union. Mifsud's widely-used "Mifnet" online forum has become the authoritative site for open debate and discussion on transportation industry developments. The forum is relied on by government employees and as well as aviation enthusiasts ranging from the executive boardroom to the cockpit. Andrea Fischer Newman, senior vice president of government affairs for Northwest Airlines, nominated Mifsud for this distinctive honor. "I am delighted that the Federal Bar Association has recognized the tremendous contributions that our KLM colleague, Paul Mifsud, has made to the aviation community," said Newman, "Not only is he the founder of the renowned 'Mifnet' forum, he was also a key contributor to the first U.S. open skies agreement with the Netherlands, which helped make the Northwest-KLM alliance the success story it is today." Jan Ernst de Groot, KLM's managing director, added, "Paul Mifsud is one the most knowledgeable lawyers of our industry. His contribution to the development of trans-Atlantic aviation is invaluable, always looking for progress, bridging the continents. Paul is a powerful catalyst. He helped create the industry's most successful partnerships, the joint venture between KLM and Northwest and its legal complement, the concept of antitrust immunity. " Paul Mifsud is vice president, government and legal affairs, for KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. He has been involved with KLM's legal and government affairs for over 30 years and has published numerous articles and speeches, and has participated in many panel discussions concerning issues important to international trade, public policy, and aviation. Recently, Mifsud has published and spoken on the subject of international airline alliances. Among his numerous professional associations, he is a former Member of the President's Advisory Board for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Co-Chairman of the American Bar Association International Law Committee on Aviation and Aerospace, and Adjunct Professor for George Washington University. Prior to earning a law degree from Rutgers University, Mifsud served two years in Ethiopia as a United States Peace Corps Volunteer. Before joining the airline industry with British Airways in 1973, he was a Trial Attorney with the Bureau of Enforcement for the United States Securities & Exchange Commission. Mifsud is an Officer of the Netherlands Order Oranje Nassau. This distinguished honor was bestowed upon him, on behalf of the Queen of The Netherlands, for his work in concluding the first Open Skies aviation agreement between the United States and The Netherlands. The other recipient of this year's "Transportation Lawyer of the Year" Award is Rebecca MacPherson, assistant chief counsel for regulations at the Federal Aviation Administration. Northwest Airlines is one of the world's largest airlines with hubs at Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Memphis, Tokyo and Amsterdam. Northwest, with its regional partners, operates approximately 2,400 daily departures. Northwest is a member of SkyTeam, an airline alliance that offers customers one of the world's most extensive global networks. Northwest and its travel partners serve more than 1,000 cities in excess of 160 countries on six continents. Northwest Airlines today announced Paul Mifsud, vice president of government and legal affairs for its joint venture partner, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, is a recipient of the U.S. Federal Bar Association�s �Transportation Lawyer of the Year� Award. Mifsud, an accomplished international aviation attorney and founder of the �Mifnet� online discussion forum, will receive the honor September 25th at the 2008 Federal Bar Association Reception in Washington, D.C. Mifsud�s contribution to international aviation policy development is recognized worldwide, including his work as a proponent of the U.S.-EU Open Skies agreement that fully liberalized air transportation between the United States and the European Union. Mifsud�s widely-used �Mifnet� online forum has become the authoritative site for open debate and discussion on transportation industry developments. The forum is relied on by government employees and as well as aviation enthusiasts ranging from the executive boardroom to the cockpit. Andrea Fischer Newman, senior vice president of government affairs for Northwest Airlines, nominated Mifsud for this distinctive honor. "I am delighted that the Federal Bar Association has recognized the tremendous contributions that our KLM colleague, Paul Mifsud, has made to the aviation community,� said Newman, �Not only is he the founder of the renowned 'Mifnet' forum, he was also a key contributor to the first U.S. open skies agreement with the Netherlands, which helped make the Northwest-KLM alliance the success story it is today.� Jan Ernst de Groot, KLM�s managing director, added, "Paul Mifsud is one the most knowledgeable lawyers of our industry. His contribution to the development of trans-Atlantic aviation is invaluable, always looking for progress, bridging the continents. Paul is a powerful catalyst. He helped create the industry's most successful partnerships, the joint venture between KLM and Northwest and its legal complement, the concept of antitrust immunity. " Paul Mifsud is vice president, government and legal affairs, for KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. He has been involved with KLM�s legal and government affairs for over 30 years and has published numerous articles and speeches, and has participated in many panel discussions concerning issues important to international trade, public policy, and aviation. Recently, Mifsud has published and spoken on the subject of international airline alliances. Among his numerous professional associations, he is a former Member of the President�s Advisory Board for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Co-Chairman of the American Bar Association International Law Committee on Aviation and Aerospace, and Adjunct Professor for George Washington University. Prior to earning a law degree from Rutgers University, Mifsud served two years in Ethiopia as a United States Peace Corps Volunteer. Before joining the airline industry with British Airways in 1973, he was a Trial Attorney with the Bureau of Enforcement for the United States Securities & Exchange Commission. Mifsud is an Officer of the Netherlands Order Oranje Nassau. This distinguished honor was bestowed upon him, on behalf of the Queen of The Netherlands, for his work in concluding the first Open Skies aviation agreement between the United States and The Netherlands. The other recipient of this year�s �Transportation Lawyer of the Year� Award is Rebecca MacPherson, assistant chief counsel for regulations at the Federal Aviation Administration. Northwest Airlines is one of the world�s largest airlines with hubs at Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Memphis, Tokyo and Amsterdam. Northwest, with its�regional partners, operates approximately 2,400 daily departures. Northwest is a member of SkyTeam, an airline alliance that offers customers one of the world�s most extensive global networks. Northwest and its travel partners serve more than 1,000 cities in excess of 160 countries on six continents.