AOPA works to save Washington airport near Canadian border
AOPA is fighting to save Blaine Municipal, an airport nestled against the Canadian border in northwestern Washington, from an effort by a real estate agent to close the airport and build a truck stop, tavern, and motel.
"AOPA and the State of Washington Division of Aeronautics are opposed to the closure of this airport, which is designated in the FAA's National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems," said Bill Dunn, AOPA vice president of airports, in a letter to Blaine city officials. "AOPA is actively working to prevent one person from possibly closing an airport that hosts 8,000 GA operations a year and brings revenue to the town."
The City of Blaine had submitted an airport improvement plan to the FAA, but it was forced to add an advisory ballot measure to its November ballot, asking its 4,000 city residents for input about whether the town should pursue a study of the feasibility of closing the airport. A local real estate agent led the opposition against the airport and gathered enough signatures to force the issue to a vote.
October 21, 2005
