The TSA has intercepted 1,500 firearms at airports this year
The TSA announced that it intercepted 1,503 firearms at airport checkpoints in the first quarter of 2024.
ASHEVILLE – The burning question of the day is actually several questions – about the owners of the Asheville airport, the financing of the airport expansion and what exactly those expansions will look like.
Do you have other questions for our staff? Email Editor-in-Chief Karen Chávez at [email protected] and your question could appear in an upcoming column.
Ask: I was wondering who owns the Asheville airport. Is it a government, for-profit, or non-profit company? How is the airport funding the current construction and expansion? How many security checkpoints will there be once construction is complete to reduce security congestion? Right now, there is only one person checking IDs, and so congestion still occurs even with multiple security checkpoints. Thank you for your help in answering my questions.
Answer: In short, the Greater Asheville Regional Airport Authority owns the airport and is handling the expansions. Changes to security checkpoints will depend on how many passengers the airport needs to accommodate. Here’s what else we know.
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Who owns Asheville Airport? Is it a government facility? Commercial or nonprofit?
Spokeswoman Tina Kinsey told the Citizen Times that GARAA, the airport’s owner and sponsor, is an independent airport authority created by state legislation.
“As a quasi-governmental, non-profit organization, GARAA operates as an independent corporation with specific powers and responsibilities related to airport management and development,” Kinsey said. “This unique structure allows GARAA to act in the best interests of the airport within the community served while adhering to industry regulations and standards.”
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How does the airport finance the current construction and expansion?
“In general, we use working capital and public financing,” Kinsey said.
Kinsey also pointed out that local tax funds would never be used for airport operations or capital projects.
The airport’s microsite with information about the construction project provides further details on the financing of the $400 million project: government bonds, federal and state grants and airport operating funds were included, among other things.
The operating funds cited as one source of financing come from the airport’s users: airlines, car rental companies, advertisers, other airport tenants and passengers who pay for the use of airport services such as parking.
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How many safety lanes will there be when construction is completed?
Kinsey said the airport expansion will create space for six TSA screening lanes once passenger numbers justify the expansion.
“The Transportation Security Administration determines the number of lanes, equipment allocation and staffing levels for each airport served,” Kinsey said. “Airport management advocates for what is needed, and we work with TSA to provide more resources for our travelers.”
The airport has already recently installed a new security checkpoint to handle the more than 5,800 passengers screened on the busiest days of the AVL. Thanks to the addition of a CT X-ray machine to the new security checkpoint, passengers can now leave their laptops and other electronic devices, as well as small liquids, in their hand luggage during screening.
Asheville Regional Airport President and CEO Lew Bleiweis commented on the issue in an AVL press release regarding the new security checkpoint.
“This couldn’t come at a better time,” Bleiweis said. “The growth at AVL is real, and we have exceeded our 2023 record passenger numbers every month so far this year. Our security checkpoints have been at capacity. The TSA has noticed our growth and has responded to ensure our passengers get through security faster.”
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Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at [email protected].