Airport Director Provides Update
Last week, Panama City airport Executive Director Randy Curtis provided a welcome update on the airport relocation project in the form of an op-ed published in the News Herald. Curtis opened his update by saying:
"A 10-year effort to relocate the Panama City – Bay County International Airport is nearing reality, with construction possible in the spring."
Ten Years. Hard to believe. But that puts it in some perspective. Too often, we forget how long this community has worked to address the deficiencies at out current airport.
Curtis added:
"The new airport looks beyond short-term thinking and short-sighted planning and provides for a 50-year solution to our future aviation needs. It offers a real opportunity to reduce costs to passengers, improve the service schedules and types of airplanes at the airport and attract a low-cost carrier."
Critics of the airport don't want to talk about our region's long-term aviation needs. Even some of relocation's staunchest critics agree that our current airport is not an adequate long-term solution.
Curtis said:
"For more than a decade, the facts and options have been reviewed and re-reviewed by local, state and federal aviation and environmental authorities. These experts have held well over one hundred public meetings and responded to thousands of comments and questions from the community.
"The overwhelming and joint conclusion by the experts is that moving the airport to a new location is the best solution for our region’s future aviation, economic and environmental needs."
The naysayers keep carping on, though the FAA's EIS proved their criticism and analysis wasn't valid. We've had the best experts in the country review the situation. It's time to accept their recommendation and move forward.
Curtis concluded:
"Building a new airport is tough work. Only four “greenfield” airports have been built in the U.S. in 30 years. But the benefits are so vast that it is worth the time and effort to get the job done."
Couldn't agree more.
