"Airport officials fear airspace restriction could hurt Bloomington"

Sunday, December 5, 2004

Airport officials fear airspace restriction could hurt Bloomington
The Associated Press


BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Monroe County Airport officials are worried that a
military proposal to limit the use of airspace near Bloomington could hurt
the airport and the region's economy.

In late October, airport officials received a letter from the FAA about
proposed new military operations areas just east of Bloomington, associated
with Camp Atterbury and Jefferson Proving Ground.

The FAA became involved after the Air National Guard studied the proposed
expansion and requested the expansion. It forwarded its findings to the FAA
for review.

The Monroe County Board of Aviation Commissioners sent a letter to the FAA
dated Dec. 2, outlining how the plan would adversely affect the community.

If approved, the military operations areas would severely limit access to
Bloomington's airport to and from the east and would negatively affect
airports in Columbus and Seymour, said airport manager Bruce Payton.

"We believe the addition to these military operations will be detrimental to
the airport," Payton said.

He said the Monroe County Airport has about 50,000 takeoffs and landings per
year and provides an annual economic impact of more than $35 million.

Payton said studies show that pilots will avoid an airport near a military
operations area, since the times when they can fly through the area is
limited.

Payton said the airport has spent more than $22 million in federal grant
money since 1987 to attract corporate and general aviation users.

If the new areas are approved, companies may decide not to locate in the
area if there are perceived difficulties in accessing the airport.

People who would normally fly over the restricted areas would need to fly
around them at times, which would result in a higher cost.

FAA public affairs officer Tony Molinaro said the FAA is currently studying
the Air National Guard plan and will also consider any comments from the
public.


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