News Archive

AOPA fights to protect California airport

Despite federal grant obligations to keep California's Bakersfield Municipal Airport open, the City of Bakersfield is seeking approval to close it in order to sell the land to a developer for residential use. AOPA is working with Bakersfield Airport Support Network volunteer Richard Osborn and local pilots to preserve the airport and has asked the FAA to step in and decline any closure request from the city. The airport has received more than $10 million in Airport Improvement Funds.

"With nearly 100 based aircraft and over 25,000 operations each year, Bakersfield Airport is a vital part of a statewide and national aviation system of general aviation airports," wrote Bill Dunn, AOPA vice president of airports, in a letter to the FAA. "Clearly, the FAA recognizes the importance of this strategically located airport and has included it within the FAA National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems."

November 17, 2005