Regional Affairs

MAC to discuss Crystal Airport options

Crystal Airport tenants: The airport's future could be in your hands. And AOPA needs your help. Officials from the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) will be in the Twin Cities area to meet with Crystal tenants to gather input about the airport's future. This is the latest step in updating development plans for the MAC's reliever airport system. The MAC will be discussing four airport development options: Leave the airport as is, with minimal room for expansion; close all but the two primary parallel runways; eliminate all runways except Runway 14L/32R; or close the airport. "Even though one of the options is to close the airport, the MAC cannot close the facility without approval by the state legislature. AOPA would oppose that, and so would several of the state legislators who are general aviation advocates," said AOPA Vice President of Airports Bill Dunn. "But one of the keys to saving this airport is local pilot involvement. AOPA Airport Support Network volunteer Kevin Rebman has been working tirelessly with AOPA to ensure Crystal Airport remains open and available. Support Kevin and AOPA — attend this meeting and tell the MAC this is a vital airport that must remain open." The meeting will take place at the MAC maintenance garage at the base of the air traffic control tower on Thursday, September 7, from 5 to 7 p.m. Download the meeting notice.

September 1, 2006