Bwick News: Proposal to expand restricted air space around Townsend Bombing range may harm air travel to Golden Isles
neillh...@earthlink.net
Airspace change could be a hassle for local airports
- 7 hrs ago
A proposal by the military to expand the restricted air space around Townsend Bombing Range in Long and McIntosh counties could have major impacts to private and commercial flights across the region.
Rob Burr, executive director of the Glynn County Airport Commission, said the request is currently under consideration by the Federal Aviation Administration.
The impact, if the request is approved, would impose major restrictions on local airspace, he said.
Delta, which has daily flights from the Brunswick-Golden Isles Airport, would have to take a detour “several hundred miles out of the way” to fly to and from Atlanta if the request is approved.
“Basically, most of our airspace could be affected,” he said. “It could be very detrimental. Our county is very concerned about this request.”
Burr said officials in Savannah have similar concerns and they have joined forces in the effort to persuade the FAA to rule against the proposal.
Townsend Bombing Range is the primary air-to-ground bombing range for Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, home to Marine Aircraft Group 31.
Burr said members of Congress have been contacted to speak on behalf of local officials and voice opposition to the proposal.
“They have taken up the request,” Burr said. “We’ve been very vocal on this.”
Burr said a wide range of local governments and businesses have voiced concerns, with the goal of convincing the FAA the proposal is bad for local business.
“We’ve engaged the local community,” he said. “The military is going to ask for what they want to do. The FAA hasn’t fully reviewed this yet.”
Glynn County Commission Chairman Walter Rafolski said U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter, R-1, and others have set up a meeting with FAA officials to try to address their concerns.
“Everybody uses the airports,” he said.
The potential negative impact to commerce and tourism in the Golden Isles is troubling, he said of the proposal.
“It’s not feasible,” he said. “I think it’s ridiculous. I sure hope they don’t do it.”