Press Release


For Immediate Release - March 11, 2003
Contact: Senator Chuck Gross - (573) 751-8635

INTERIM COMMITTEE FILES REPORT WITH RECOMMENDATIONS FOR LAMBERT-ST. LOUIS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

JEFFERSON CITY -- The Senate Interim Committee on the Regional Control of Lambert-St. Louis International Airport has filed its official report, which includes recommendations expanding the membership of the Airport Authority and setting up a Board for Citizen Complaints.

"While Lambert Airport is owned by the City of St. Louis, it has a significant impact on the lives of the people of St. Louis, St. Charles, Jefferson and Franklin counties," said Sen. Chuck Gross, chairman of the interim committee. "I believe the recommendations this committee has developed will give the people of the St. Louis region a greater voice in the operation of the airport. That, after all, is all that these citizens have been asking for."

Established by Senate Resolution 1719, the interim committee was charged with studying the effects of regional control or ownership of the airport. Two public hearings were held in July and August, in St. Louis and St. Charles respectively.

Lambert-St. Louis International Airport is currently owned and operated by the City of St. Louis and is the oldest municipally owned airport in the country. The St. Louis Airport Commission is the airport's governing body and consists of 17 members, 10 appointed by the St. Louis City mayor, five appointed by the St. Louis County executive, one by St. Clair (Ill.) county executive, one by the St. Charles county executive.

Lambert sits on approximately 2,000 acres of land in north St. Louis County. The airfield is comprised of five runways, varying in length from 11,000 feed to 3,000 feet. It is the eighth busiest airport in North America for aircraft operations and is ranked number 14 in total passengers.

"Lambert is a well-operated airport, but through the years it has frequently overlooked the needs of the surrounding communities," Sen. Gross said. "I believe the recommendations made by our committee will help make Lambert a better neighbor."

Committee recommendations include:

"I strongly believe that these recommendations will create a better relationship between the airport and its neighbors," said Sen. Gross.

In addition to Sen. Gross, committee members included: Sen. John Loudon, R-West St. Louis County; Sen. Michael R. Gibbons, R-Kirkwood; Sen. Anita Yeckel, R-St. Louis; Sen. Maida Coleman, D-St. Louis; Sen. Harry Kennedy, D-St. Louis; and Sen. Wayne Goode, D-St. Louis.

Note: A copy of the Senate Interim Committee on Regional Control of Lambert-St. Louis International Airport can be found on the Senate web page of Sen. Chuck Gross, www.senate.mo.gov/gross.

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