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."

FMI: www.nbaa.org