BUSH - Intends to reopen Reagan National Airport

greenspun.com : LUSENET : Current News : One Thread

Bush intends to reopen Reagan National Airport

By Ron Fournier The Associated Press

WASHINGTON — President Bush intends to reopen Reagan National Airport outside Washington after new security measures are in place, administration officials said today. He wants more security on planes and fewer flights at the airport.

The officials cautioned that Bush had not made a final decision, but said a consensus had emerged among his inner circle that the airport needed to open as soon as possible. Bush was virtually certain to follow his advisers' lead, they said.

The announcement was expected as early as Tuesday, though the airport may not open immediately, aides said.

National is the only commercial airport that has not reopened following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Federal officials are concerned about its closeness to the White House, Pentagon and other government buildings.

Discussions about reopening the airport have focused on adding extra security to prevent hijackers from taking control of a plane.

Rep. Tom Davis, R-Va., emerged from a meeting with Bush adviser Karl Rove and White House chief of staff Andrew Card and other Virginia lawmakers to say that air marshals would be on all flights in and out of the airport, which is in Arlington, Va.

In addition, rather than having all flights coming into the airport go along the Potomac River, routes would be scrambled, Davis said.

Other possible security improvements include limiting the number of planes using the airport, increasing security screening of passengers and luggage, and securing the cockpits of all airplanes.

Efforts to require all planes taking off to head south and all planes arriving to come into the airport from the south, away from the government buildings, have been rejected as impractical, said Rep. James Moran, D-Va., whose district includes the airport.

Sen. John Warner, R-Va., said the security measures would apply to planes both taking off and landing at the airport.

"It's not just making Reagan Airport secure," Warner said. "It's the feeder airports."

Virginia lawmakers have urged the White House to reopen the airport, which is a major source of jobs in the Washington area. Other members of Congress also have pushed for reopening the airport, a favorite of lawmakers returning to their districts each weekend.

In addition to economic considerations, Bush considers reopening the airport a symbol of the nation's resolve not to bow to terrorism, aides said.

-- Anonymous, October 01, 2001


Moderation questions? read the FAQ