House bill would protect Meigs Field

The U.S. House of Representatives, in passing H.R. 3479 The National Aviation Capacity Expansion Act of 2002, has taken a step toward preserving Chicago’s Meigs Field until 2006, with additional provision for maintaining the airport until 2026. “This act recognizes the critical importance of the general aviation airports to the nation’s air transportation system,” noted NBAA president Jack Olcott in response to the bill’s passage. The senate version of the bill, S.2039, now awaits consideration.