Pilots in eastern Washington are celebrating a victory in the fight to keep Vista Field Airport (S98) open.
According to John Dobson, president of the Washington Pilots Association, efforts to keep the airport from being shut down for redevelopment got a boost after the November election.
“Five airport friendly candidates were elected to seven positions in Kennewick,” he said. “Two are port commissioners and three are city council members. The future of Vista Field has never looked brighter.”
Vista Field Airport (S98) is one of three airports in the Tri-Cities area of eastern Washington. The airport, which sports a 4,008-foot runway, was one of three built by the Navy during World War II. Today there are 35 aircraft based at the field, which is operated by the Port of Kennewick.
Over the years there has been increasing pressure to close the airport and redevelop the land, with proposals to move air operations to nearby Richland Airport (RLD) or Tri-Cities Airport (PSC) in Pasco.
At a Port of Kennewick meeting earlier this month, Commission Gene Wagner issued a statement in support of keeping Vista Field open, said Marjy Leggett, the Airport Support Network Volunteer for Vista Field. She added another meeting will be held in February that includes a presentation on the airport and the opportunity for public comment.
For more information: PortOfKennewick.org.