Regional Affairs

Michigan stiffens penalties to airport trespass law

The Michigan legislature has adopted a bill that strengthens penalties for unauthorized access to airports. Violations of the current prohibitions are punishable by a civil fine of up to $500. The new penalties will take the fine up to a maximum of $1,000 and allow imprisonment for up to one year. The current law, dating back to 1945, prohibits trespassing on an airport, operation of a vehicle, or conduct of any activities not authorized by the airport management. "We will be watching enforcement of the new penalties very carefully," said Greg Pecoraro, AOPA vice president of regional affairs. "If airport managers are acting unreasonably, we will be quick to seek corrective action." The new penalties will go into effect at the end of March 2007.

December 22, 2006