Congressman Salazar praises FAA decision to support Telluride Airport

WASHINGTON, D.C. –Following a letter to the FAA last week, Congressman John Salazar today praised the agency’s decision to maintain Telluride Airport’s funding that was in jeopardy after the airport did not meet the 10,000 enplanement rule. The airport 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.  

Congressman Salazar offered the following comment on the announcement:

“I am pleased to hear that the FAA has responded so promptly to my request which will maintain this critical funding source for the Telluride Airport. This support from the FAA is critical to the sustainability of small airports like this one. The FAA has recognized the great lengths that the Telluride Airport has gone to improve runway safety and the continued funding is great news for the entire community.”

Richard W. Nuttall, Airport Manager for the Telluride Airport, responded to the news with the following statement:

“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.”

A copy of the letter sent last week from Congressman Salazar to FAA Administrator J. Randolph Babbitt is below:

October 5, 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.


Sincerely,

/JTS
John T. Salazar
Member of Congress