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GUEST COLUMN |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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CONTACT: Ann
Collis |
State Rep. Bryan Lentz |
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April 23, 2007
Soaring airport traffic deserves closer examination
By state Representative Bryan Lentz
Since taking office in January, many of my constituents have contacted me with concerns over the Federal Aviation Administration’s plans to redirect flights over Delaware County. In December 2005, the FAA announced that it was planning to redirect low-flying departures from Philadelphia International Airport over Delaware County. At the same time, PHL has been planning to add additional runways to increase the number of flights at the airport.
I have consistently voiced my opposition to the increase in flights over Delaware County and the planned expansion of the airport. The most troubling aspect of the FAA’s plans is that there will be a negative impact on our community without any real improvement in flight delays.
In the past three months, I have personally met with air traffic controllers at PHL, state transportation officials, and the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission regarding this problem. After hearing from a number of officials, it is clear that even with redirected flights and added runways, PHL will be unable to keep up with the anticipated increase in air traffic over the next 10 to 20 years.
Many nearby airports have ample, unused capacity for commercial flights. I believe it is ill-advised to expand PHL and further burden the residents of Delaware County without fully exploring the greater use of the many existing regional airports and other modes of transportation.
I have joined with neighboring legislators in asking that the Pennsylvania secretary of Transportation undertake a formal study on expanding the use of existing regional airports. In the near future, I will introduce a bill in the House to establish a regional airport authority to coordinate the operation of airports in Southeastern Pennsylvania and help relieve the burden of air traffic concentrated at PHL.
As a federal agency, the FAA can implement its plans for airspace redesign without approval of the Pennsylvania legislature. I will, however, continue to fight to make sure that the concerns of our community are addressed before state funds are spent on PHL.
The FAA will hold a public meeting from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, May 1 at the Holiday Inn in Essington on its plans to re-route planes over Delaware County. I plan to attend and would encourage all concerned members of the community to attend as well.
Updates on this issue and the May 1 meeting will soon be posted on my Web site, www.pahouse.com/Lentz.
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