Final victory? Indiana's Smith Field will stay open "indefinitely"
The Fort Wayne-Allen County (Indiana) Airport Authority voted Monday night to keep Smith Field Airport (SMD) open indefinitely. That further solidifies the board's decision of two years ago, when pressure from local pilots and AOPA convinced them to reverse a decision they had made closing the airport (see " Local pilots, AOPA save Fort Wayne's Smith Field").
"AOPA commends the Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority for their far-sighted decision," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "Our goal has always been to preserve the airport as an integral part of the local community, to have it continue to be both a good neighbor and an asset to the community. This decision does that."
Since the authority's decision two years ago to keep the airport open, various groups have raised concerns about the airport's future. That prompted the authority to revisit its decision.
Last week, AOPA sent a letter to the airport authority reminding them that, "While overall development plans for the airport are the responsibility of the authority, AOPA would oppose any decision to close this important, even vital, general aviation facility. It is our belief that Smith Field plays an important role in transportation not only in the Ft. Wayne area, but as part of the national system as well."
April 28, 2005
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