"Reagan National Moves Towards Full Operation"

Friday, May 24, 2002

Reagan National Moves Towards Full Operation
Airport Security Report


The closest airport to the nation's capital is ramping up operations.
General aviation flights will return to Reagan Washington National
Airport (DCA) under six specific security procedures. Closed immediately
after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, DCA had its final commercial
flight restrictions lifted April 24 by the Department of Transportation
(DOT). Now, DOT will restored general aviation flights under an interim
final rule expected to be submitted to the industry by the end of May.
But those flights must adhere to strict security measures including
vetting and certification of flight deck crews, advance clearance of
manifests, screening of passengers and physical inspection of aircraft.

"The security at our airports is in good shape and will continue to
improve as procedures get better," said James Wilding, president and CEO
of Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority (MWAA), operator of DCA.
Wilding said the airport is now at about 92 percent of its pre-Sept. 11
activity. The airport survived with the help of $40 million in federal
funding, tightening the operating budget and cutting its $4.1 billion
redevelopment project by $1.5 billion. The airport expects to generate a
$250 million bond issue this summer, Wilding said.


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