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Atchison Airport Upgrades Contested

By Joel Hardy

01/29/2015

(KAIR)--Nearly fifty people crowded into the Commission Chamber in the Atchison City Hall Wednesday night to voice their opinion on the proposed runway upgrade at the Amelia Earhart Memorial Airport.

The public hearing was held to gather comments for the Federal Aviation Administration in regards to an environmental impact study conducted by Lochner, an engineering firm out of Kansas City, who will then forward them to the FAA for consideration.

Lochner representative Mike Waller was present to address any questions or concerns, along with airport planner Brad Weisenburger.

One major concern raised by many in attendance was that the upgrades were thought to be unnecessary. Atchison resident Peggy Kistler stated that both the city population and airport traffic has decreased in recent years, and there are not enough flights coming in and out of the airport to justify the new runway.

MGP representative Dave Rindom countered with the opinion that the current airport does not meet the current or future needs of the company, and an upgrade would be needed in order to support future growth.

Many also voiced concern that those who would use the airport as much as some others, would not benefit from it economically.

Information gathered at the meeting will be taken into consideration as the upgrade process moves forward.

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