Thu, Jul 08, 2010
Open Letter To DHS Says GA Is Being Denied Access To Reliever
Airports
In an open letter to DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano, NBAA
President and CEO Ed Bolen said that the NOTAM that was published
for President Obama's trip to Las Vegas has no considerations for
GA access to reliever airports in the region.
The NOTAM (FDC 0/0095) would restrict all general aviation
aircraft operations at the only three airports in and surrounding
Las Vegas including McCarran International Airport (KLAS),
Henderson Airport (KHND) and North Las Vegas Airport (KVGT). The
restriction would prohibit general aviation access to these
airports from 1630 local time on July 8 through 1130 on July 9, 19
total hours.
"Previously, the Secret Service, in coordination with the
Department of Defense, FAA and Transportation Security
Administration allowed for special egress and ingress routes for
Henderson Airport and North Las Vegas Airport to allow general
aviation aircraft access to the city during Presidential visits'"
Bolen wrote. "No considerations for these two airports appear in
the list of restrictions."
"As you know, Las Vegas airport is the 7th busiest airport in
the country, serving a diverse business base across southern
Nevada," Bolen continued. "The three airports affected by this
NOTAM represent nearly 90% of all aircraft traveling to or from
Nevada. The NOTAM would restrict almost 50% of normal traffic
operations at the three Las Vegas Airports. Shutting down general
aviation access will absolutely affect business in the area and
beyond the city."
NBAA President And CEO Ed Bolen
Bolen concludes "We understand and appreciate the need to
protect the President. However, such overly broad and
unsophisticated restrictions as the one released this
(Wednesday) morning which will ground all general aviation
traffic for nearly a day sends a loud and unwelcome message to the
businesses based in Las Vegas and those needing to travel to Las
Vegas for business. We urge you to reconsider these punitive
restrictions on general aviation and work with the general aviation
specialists at the TSA and FAA to craft acceptable procedures that
retain the necessary security for the President while also
facilitating access to one of the nation’s most important
cities."
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