Congressman Salazar Urges FAA to Come to Assist Telluride Airport

WASHINGTON, D.C. -Today Congressman John Salazar asked FAA Administrator Randolph Babbitt to grant Telluride Airport’s request to waive the 10,000 enplanement rule due to the fact that they had to close for more than half of 2009 for extensive runway reconstruction.

Small, rural airports that fall below the 10,000 passenger threshold can lose over $1 million in funding for critical airport improvement projects.

“I ask that the FAA not penalize Telluride Airport for making safety improvements to their runway, and waive the 10,000 enplanement rule due to the fact that they had to close for seven months,” Salazar told the FAA today.

“Congressman Salazar has been a tremendous help to the aviation community in Colorado, and we at the Telluride Regional Airport would like to thank Congressman Salazar for his continued support of the Telluride Regional Airport,” said Richard W. Nuttall, Airport Manager for Telluride Airport.

October 7, 2010

The Honorable J. Randolph Babbitt
Administrator
Federal Aviation Administration

800 Independence Avenue, S.W.

Washington, DC 20591

Dear Administrator Babbitt:

I am writing to support Telluride Airport‘s request to waive the 10,000 enplanement rule due to the fact that they had to close for more than half of last year for extensive runway reconstruction. The airport has only one runway, so as a result of the construction, no aircraft activity occurred during the time the runway was being reconstructed.

Due to that closure, from April 7, 2009 through November 4, 2009, the Airport’s airline enplanements dropped below 10,000. And as you know, if they fall below 10,000 enplanements, the airport loses its $1 million in entitlement funds, which are critical for them to help pay for these improvements.

Having to close an airport for such a long time wreaked havoc on their normal operations and made the requirement of 10,000 enplanements impossible. Therefore, I ask that the FAA not penalize Telluride Airport for making safety improvements to their runway, and waive the 10,000 enplanement rule due to the fact that they had to close for seven months.

I appreciate your consideration of this request. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or need additional information.

http://www.airportbusiness.com/online/article.jsp?siteSection=1&id=40005

Source: AIRPORT BUSINESS
Date: 2010-10-06