ADIZ draws attention from mainstream media
Boyer answers questions on economic impact
 The Washington, D.C., ADIZ with Flight Restricted Zone |
The problems associated with the Washington, D.C., Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) are drawing ever more attention, even outside aviation circles. On Thursday, AOPA President Phil Boyer answered questions from a Bloomberg News reporter regarding the negative economic impact of the ADIZ and flight restricted zone (FRZ).
"The impact of the airspace restrictions is felt even beyond the airports themselves," said Boyer. "Loss of local spending in communities around just four of the airports inside the ADIZ amounted to over $10 million annually between 2002 and 2004."
That is based on AOPA's recent independent economic study, which also shows that 10 general aviation (GA) airports inside the ADIZ are losing nearly $43 million per year in wages, revenue, taxes, and local spending.
"Pilots are security-minded and are being respectful of the need to protect the nation's capital," said Boyer. "But enough is enough."
Last month, more than four years after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Congress approved $5 million in compensation for the DC-3 airports - College Park, Potomac Airfield, and Washington Executive/Hyde Field - and associated businesses hardest hit by the security restrictions put in place around Washington, D.C.
The FAA has extended the deadline to file comments on its proposal to make the ADIZ permanent. AOPA is urging pilots who have not yet filed comments to do so before the February 6, 2006, deadline. To learn more about the ADIZ and what it means to pilots, or to file comments, see the AOPA Member Action Center: Operation ADIZ.
December 2, 2005
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