BOCA RATON, FL (Boca Post) (Copyright © 2025) — The Boca Raton Airport (BCT) received the 2023 General Aviation Safety Award from the Federal Aviation Administration’s Southern Region Airports Division which serves as a premier safety recognition for airports that demonstrate innovative safety practices and teamwork.

The award was presented on February 4, 2025, during the FAA Southern Region Airports Conference in Atlanta. The airport achieved a significant accomplishment through its development of a safety program which matches those of larger airports.

BCT reaches its success through an organizational culture which supports team collaboration. The Safety Management System (SMS) at this airport receives complete participation from all airport tenants who serve as a benchmark for other facilities in the industry.

“This 100% participation is what truly sets us apart,” said Clara Bennett, Executive Director of the Boca Raton Airport. “Our team has always put safety first and we are pleased to see the FAA acknowledge our safety initiatives. Many airports apply for this award, which goes to show that we’re leaders in aviation safety.”

The airport operates “Soaring with Safety” as its safety program which unites all safety initiatives through active risk identification and open communication and hands-on training and performance-based improvement methods. The program includes scheduled safety events together with PSA videos and safety recognition programs for tenants who demonstrate excellent safety behavior.

The system creates an active safety environment which operates with complete openness to let all airport operational staff members actively participate.

The FAA’s Southern Region recognized BCT’s complete and innovative strategy as a standard which general aviation airports across the country should follow. The Boca Raton Airport shows how small airports can create safety improvements through their implementation of systems which normally operate at major commercial airports.

As BCT celebrates this latest recognition, airport leadership says the work is far from over. The team works on creating new safety programs which focus on protecting pilots and tenants and all travelers who use the airport facilities.

“Safety isn’t a one-time achievement — it’s an ongoing commitment,” Bennett said. “We’ll keep pushing forward to ensure Boca Raton Airport remains at the forefront of aviation safety.”