Business
Textron GSE to Support 2026 Special Olympics Airlift
Textron GSE to Support 2026 Special Olympics
About this update from Textron Inc.
Cartersville, GA - Textron Ground Support Equipment Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company, is proud to support the 2026 Special Olympics Airlift. This nationwide mission, organized by Textron Aviation, will give athletes a once-in-a-lifetime VIP experience as they travel on Cessna, Beechcraft and Hawker aircraft to the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, removing financial and logistical barriers so they can focus on competition and celebration. To make it happen, Textron GSE is providing 16 baggage and cargo tractors to move aircraft, luggage and materials around St. Paul Downtown Airport Holman Field (KSTP) in Minnesota, as athletes and their families travel to the Twin Cities to compete in this year's competition. The company will provide 14 TUG M1A tractors and two TUG MT tractors to support the airlift. The Special Olympics Airlift - the world's largest peacetime airlift - demonstrates the power of industry collaboration, uniting organizations, companies and volunteers around a shared mission that extends beyond business: transporting Special Olympics athletes and coaches to and from the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games. Now in its ninth iteration, the Special Olympics Airlift will operate Friday, June 19 and Saturday, June 27. During the airlift, aircraft will land or depart every three minutes, to ensure athletes nationwide can participate in the USA Games, eliminating travel barriers and reflecting aviation's power to unite communities. 'Textron GSE is honored to partner with Textron Aviation to help hundreds of deserving athletes travel to and from the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, so that they can enjoy the hard-won opportunity to show their talents and shine in competition,' said Tony LaCorte, Senior Director, Operations for Textron GSE. Since 1987, volunteer pilots and aircraft owners have transported more than 10,000 athletes and coaches through the Special Olympics Airlift. Each event has grown in scale and impact, fueled by hundreds of volunteers who donate their time, aircraft and expertise to support Special Olympics athletes. To help enhance the travel experience for athletes, Textron Aviation has launched a nationwide donation campaign supporting Special Olympics. Contributions go directly to Special Olympics to supply travel essentials and provide operational support for the coast-to-coast mission. Contact:Brandon Haddock Email: bhadd...