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Regional Aviation
News
Mica To Propose Streamlining In AIR-21 Reauthorization
March 7, 2003
House Transportation aviation subcommittee Chairman Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.) promised airport executives yesterday he would include a measure in AIR-21 reauthorization streamlining approvals for airport infrastructure improvements. Airport chiefs testified that delays in getting projects approved and underway are costing them hundreds of millions of dollars. Gina Marie Lindsey, managing director of Sea-Tac, said because of all the state and federal red tape it’s taking longer to build the runway at her airport than some historians speculate it took the ancient Egyptians to build the Great Pyramid at Giza. Mica said he would “like to make it [the measure] as effective as possible.” Executives also testified they need more cooperation from the Transportation Security Administration, not only in reimbursement for federally mandated security improvements but in using local law enforcement at airports. Mica said he is having a closed-door meeting with TSA March 19 where he will address some of the airports’ concerns. Executives recommended TSA develop a letter of intent program for funding security improvements similar to one now administered by FAA to pay for capacity expansion.
Rep. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) told The DAILY TSA needs to look at airport security requirements for the next 10 years and factor in how much airports would pay and how much TSA would fund, rather than forcing airports to endure “the continuous crisis” they now face. “It’s an understandable problem post 9/11” but now it’s time to plan and quantify what security will cost and who will pay for it, he said. “We don’t have any benchmark” on total costs, but TSA has “finished determining what has to be done to stabilize” airport security, he said. “We need to quantify the costs, tell the airports what they have to pay and what TSA will contribute, and determine how the shortfall will be paid for.” Airports overwhelmingly agreed that finding a way to pay for security improvements remains critical, with no solution in sight. Several executives also said TSA has not come through with reimbursement pledges.
Ben DeCosta, general manager of Atlanta Hartsfield, said he is involved in a “major dispute” with TSA over security checkpoint reconfiguration and modernization, which “I was assured TSA would fund, and now I’m informed the money is no longer available.” DeCosta said his “only recourse is to enter into a ‘reimbursable agreement’ with the TSA in the hope we will be paid back at a later, undefined date.” He added that he hopes Congress will include reauthorizing directives requiring TSA to pay for space, utilities and other costs, and spell out how state and local law enforcement would be used at checkpoints. –DM
Source: Aviation Daily, March 7, 2003
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