The latest $328 billion dollar government spending package, signed Feb. 15, 2019, by President Trump, includes $3.5 million in reimbursements to three airports affected by Presidential TFRs.
According to officials with the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), they have been pushing for a solution for airports that have been negatively impacted by presidential TFRs where the President is in residence for an extended period of time, most recently at New Jersey’s Solberg and Somerset airports and Florida’s Palm Beach County Park Airport, also known as Lantana. Combined, the airports suffered a net loss of nearly $1 million in 2017 alone, according to AOPA officials.
The newly passed legislation states: “Up to $3.5 million shall be for necessary expenses, including an independent verification regime, to provide reimbursement to airport sponsors that do not provide gateway operations and providers of general aviation support services located at those airports closed during a temporary flight restriction (TFR) for any residence of the President that is designated or identified to be secured by the United States Secret Service, and for direct and incremental financial losses incurred while such airports are closed solely due to the actions of the Federal Government.”
TFRs seriously impact airports financially and many businesses remain inoperable during the restrictions, including FBOs, flight schools, maintenance shops, and other aviation activities, AOPA officials noted.
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Bar Eisenhauer says
February 20, 2019 at 6:58 amFor two years VanSant Airport has tried to show their solution to selected parties that could make a difference in our survival and that did not involve money. If this money is the answer, so be it and we pray we’re on the list. We are not your average airfield. Just look up our website and see how many people we effect and educate, especially on weekends. Bar
Joe Hann says
February 20, 2019 at 5:32 amAs it should be.
Doug H says
February 20, 2019 at 5:38 amYes, it’s nice to have a President that cares about more than himself for a change. I doubt very seriously if Chicago ever got money back when Obama slowed the whole city down to a stand still. Actually, I know it was never given back.
Bradley says
February 20, 2019 at 8:59 amIs that a joke? Are you in an isolation bubble? Congress made this happen because of the abuse of the system by Trump.
Phil says
February 20, 2019 at 10:38 amOr our caring President could stop flying down to Mar A Lago every other weekend and spare these airports the inconvenience.