New Gateway Airports Named for DCA Access

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) today named Dallas Love Field, Memphis International and Milwaukee General Mitchell International as the newest “gateway” airports for allowing certain pre-cleared general aviation aircraft to fly directly into Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). While this is a positive development and brings the number of DCA entry points to 15, the onerous procedures required to use the airport remain in effect, serving virtually as a defacto ban. The program allows up to 48 general aviation flights into DCA per day, but since the procedures went into effect last October, only about 35 GA flights have operated into DCA, and some 50 companies have received permits to use the airport. NBAA and now some lawmakers on Capitol Hill are trying to work with the TSA to simplify the clearance requirements.