Bush announces Reagan National Airport to reopen with tighter security

By JONATHAN D. SALANT
Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON – President Bush announced that Reagan National Airport, closed since the terror attacks on the United States three weeks ago, would reopen Thursday under tight security.

"There really is no greater symbol that America's back in business than the reopening of this airport," Bush said Tuesday from the terminal of the airport, which sits close to the White House and other national landmarks.

Bush had been urged by members of Congress and local officials to reopen the airport, one of the nation's busiest and the last one to remain closed after the Sept. 11 terror attacks.

Under the new rules, flights will be limited, flight patterns varied and armed flight marshals stationed on planes using the airport.

The airport is to reopen Thursday with shuttle flights to New York's LaGuardia Airport and Boston, according to the White House. In addition, limited service will resume to and from Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Minneapolis, Newark and Pittsburgh.

A month later, airlines would be allowed to increase their flights to and from the original eight airports, and flights would be allowed to an additional 10 cities yet to be determined.

"We're doing the right thing. We've taken our time. We can assure the American public as best we can that we've taken the necessary safety precautions," Bush said. "Now, it's time to start flying again."

The airport's past flight paths followed the Potomac River, bringing planes close to CIA headquarters, the White House, the Capitol and the Pentagon.

From now on flights will follow a straight line, over some residential areas, rather than along the river. The river routes were intended to reduce noise.

The Washington Monument loomed in the near distance behind Bush as he made his announcement from a small wooden podium set up between two gates near a U.S. Airways terminal.

Virginia Gov. James Gilmore told the ceremony, "This airport is a beacon and a symbol of freedom, not just for this community but for this entire nation."

The airport underwent a complete renovation in 1997.

Within 45 days, there will be approximately 450 flights a day, just over half the 792 daily commercial flights before the attacks, according to the fact sheet.

Planes can only fly in and out of the airport from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., and the Boeing 737 will be the largest plane allowed.

All passengers will have to go through two security checkpoints, show identification twice, and be limited to one carryon bag. There also will be expanded identification checks for airport employees and flight crews, and more police and K-9 patrols. Similar security measures will be in place at gates for flights heading to National Airport.

Cockpit doors will be bolted and armed air marshals will be aboard all flights in and out of the airport, said Rep. James Moran, D-Va., whose district includes National Airport. Other lawmakers briefed on the security measures confirmed the presence of air marshals on all flights.

Private planes are still banned from flying within 28 miles of Washington, D.C. Moran said efforts are under way to reduce the no-fly zone to allow private planes to use Dulles Airport, which is within the 28-mile perimeter. Private planes now housed at National Airport would be moved to Dulles, and National would remain off-limits to private aircraft.

The airport, located on the Virginia side of the Potomac, is a major source of jobs in the Washington area. Members of Congress from the region have pushed for reopening the airport, a favorite of lawmakers returning to their districts each weekend.

"This is the airport that brings our nation's leaders to Washington to do the people's business. It's the airport that welcomes millions of tourists to our nation's capital," Bush said.

"We want the tourists coming back to see our great monuments," he added.

On an average day when it was open, some 42,000 passengers used the airport, and 10,200 people worked there. About 6,000 jobs are at closely connected businesses such as car rental companies, and local business groups estimate that another 70,000 tourism and hospitality jobs depend on the airport.

Overall, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority estimates that the airport pumps $2.4 billion a year into the local economy.

Rep. John Mica, R-Fla., chairman of the House Transportation aviation subcommittee, said the White House's National Security Council insisted on some security provisions before the airport could reopen. "There's no reason these things can't be complied with," Mica said.

Pilots said they were ready to fly in and out of the airport.

"We've safely flown in and out of National Airport for many, many, many years," said Capt. John Cox, executive air safety chairman of the Air Line Pilots Association. "We need to get that airport open. Every day that we don't, we stand directly affected by the acts of the madmen."

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On the Net:

Aviation project: www.acap1971.org

National: www.metwashairports.com/national/index.htm

AP-WS-10-02-01 1311EDT