Story ID: 019touchingbasesAINJune12
Michigan FBO Earns DCA Gateway Status
By: Curt Epstein
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Word Count: 152
Pentastar Aviation became the first FBO in the metro Detroit area to earn TSA approval as a gateway FBO to Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA) through the DCA Access Standard Security Program (DASSP). Since 9/11 the TSA has restricted access to the airport. To qualify as a departure point into DCA, an FBO must meet strict security guidelines set forth by the agency, including separate security screening and quarantine areas for passengers heading to DCA. 
  
“Customer safety, security and convenience are top priorities for us,” said Bob Sarazin, the service provider’s v-p of FBO operations. “Seeking approval as a DCA gateway was a natural next step for us.” Pentastar, a top FBO in AIN’s annual FBO survey, is one of 11 service providers at Oakland County International Airport. It also operates a charter division, which recently received approval for on-demand charter flights into DCA, from any DASSP-approved facility.