Procedures Proposed for FBO Reimbursement

Procedures have been proposed for reimbursing FBOs and other providers of general aviation ground-support services at five airports in the Washington, D.C. area “for the direct and incremental financial losses they incurred while the airports were closed” after 9/11. The airports are Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport; College Park Airport in College Park, Md.; Potomac Airfield in Fort Washington, Md.; Washington Executive/Hyde Field in Clinton, Md.; and Washington South Capitol Street Heliport in Washington, D.C. A total of up to $17 million has been appropriated for this purpose. For the heliport, “closed” would mean the time between Sept. 11, 2001, and Nov. 30, 2005. For the three Maryland airports, because general aviation operations resumed more gradually, “closed” would mean the time between 9/11 and the date that transient traffic was generally permitted to return. The proposed rule would establish the eligibility requirements and application procedures for those who may qualify for assistance. Comments on the proposal are due November 3.