Regional Affairs

The Blaine City Council voted 4 to 3 this week to keep Washington's Blaine Municipal Airport open and move forward with a plan for airport expansion. "Thanks to vocal AOPA members in the area who worked hand in hand with AOPA for more than a year, the council has recognized the importance of keeping Blaine Municipal Airport open," said AOPA Vice President of Airports Bill Dunn. "This shows it takes partnership between a national organization like AOPA and local activism to preserve and protect our community airports." The fate of Blaine had been thrown into jeopardy last year when a developer proposed building a truck stop, tavern, and motel on the airport, but local residents had voted in a ballot measure to study airport alternatives instead of immediately closing the facility. Recently, AOPA members attended public hearings to tell city council members to keep the airport open.

October 13, 2006