Fight continues to save Maine airport
By AOPA ePublishing staff
AOPA representatives have written letters, met with city officials, and testified before the city council, but the fate of Maine’s Biddeford Municipal Airport remains uncertain and AOPA is vowing to continue the fight.
During a March 4 city council meeting, AOPA Vice President of Airports Bill Dunn urged Biddeford officials to make the most of their airport instead of trying to close it. Dunn testified against a resolution that would have prevented the airport from accepting any more federal funding—the first step toward closing the field, which now must remain open because it has accepted federal grants for improvements.
The resolution, which was tabled on a 5-4 vote, is just the latest in a long line of attacks on the airport. The Biddeford mayor and city council already are considering a petition for a referendum to close the airport over the objections of the FAA. The FAA has said it is prepared to sue the city to keep the field open.
“Local pilots are serious about protecting their airport and so are we,” Dunn said. “We will continue to work closely with Airport Support Network volunteer Alan Lyscars and the Friends of Biddeford Airport pilot group to make sure city officials and residents understand what a valuable asset they have in the airport.”
March 6, 2008
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