Sonoma County Airport to Receive Screeners, Clearing Way for Commercial Service
November 15, 2006
Reps. Thompson and Woolsey Praise the Airport’s Economic Benefits
Reps. Mike Thompson and Lynn Woolsey announced today that the Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport will get the federal assistance needed to re-establish commercial air service next year. According to officials at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Sonoma County Airport will receive funding to hire private screener personnel, which complies with a formal request inserted by Senator Dianne Feinstein in a Senate appropriations bill. This decision by the TSA removes the last obstacle for reinstating commercial service in Sonoma County after a five-year absence. Experts estimate that the airport's expanded service will generate $45 million in revenues for the county, not including the economic benefits it will undoubtedly bring to the surrounding counties like Napa, Mendocino and Lake.
“Sonoma County Airport offers tremendous economic opportunities to Sonoma County and Northern California, and I am confident that our effort to secure this funding will pay off in spades from the new jobs and tourism the airport will create,” said Thompson. “After several months of working with the TSA, I think the agreement to fund private screeners is fair and equitable. I am very thankful that Senator Feinstein made this a priority for the Senate, and I am glad that working together with Congresswoman Woolsey, we were able to help Sonoma County Airport get the screeners they need.”
“I am glad that after the hard work of local airport officials, community leaders, and those of us in Washington, that the TSA has reached this important decision,” said Woolsey. “Providing funding for screeners will not only protect the traveling public, but will allow for the continued economic growth of our region.”
Earlier this year, the TSA told Thompson and Woolsey that Sonoma County Airport would not be provided the screener personnel required by law, even though the TSA supplies screeners to all other currently operating commercial airports. Thompson and Woolsey sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff in August requesting that the TSA provide the necessary screeners. In addition, Senator Feinstein had language inserted in the Senate Homeland Security appropriations bill directing the TSA to provide screeners to Sonoma County Airport and other airports in similar situations. This week, the members of Congress learned that the TSA will not permanently provide screeners, but will reimburse the expense of hiring private screeners, which satisfies the requirements for establishing commercial service. The TSA will, however, provide screeners until private ones can be employed. Airport officials expect that Horizon Air will launch their operations out of Sonoma County in March 2007, servicing about 116,500 travelers annually.
“Sonoma County Airport offers tremendous economic opportunities to Sonoma County and Northern California, and I am confident that our effort to secure this funding will pay off in spades from the new jobs and tourism the airport will create,” said Thompson. “After several months of working with the TSA, I think the agreement to fund private screeners is fair and equitable. I am very thankful that Senator Feinstein made this a priority for the Senate, and I am glad that working together with Congresswoman Woolsey, we were able to help Sonoma County Airport get the screeners they need.”
“I am glad that after the hard work of local airport officials, community leaders, and those of us in Washington, that the TSA has reached this important decision,” said Woolsey. “Providing funding for screeners will not only protect the traveling public, but will allow for the continued economic growth of our region.”
Earlier this year, the TSA told Thompson and Woolsey that Sonoma County Airport would not be provided the screener personnel required by law, even though the TSA supplies screeners to all other currently operating commercial airports. Thompson and Woolsey sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff in August requesting that the TSA provide the necessary screeners. In addition, Senator Feinstein had language inserted in the Senate Homeland Security appropriations bill directing the TSA to provide screeners to Sonoma County Airport and other airports in similar situations. This week, the members of Congress learned that the TSA will not permanently provide screeners, but will reimburse the expense of hiring private screeners, which satisfies the requirements for establishing commercial service. The TSA will, however, provide screeners until private ones can be employed. Airport officials expect that Horizon Air will launch their operations out of Sonoma County in March 2007, servicing about 116,500 travelers annually.