April 13, 2016

Kilmer-Backed Bipartisan ‘TSA Fairness Act’ to Help Bring Commercial Air Service Back to Port Angeles Passes House

Today, Representative Derek Kilmer’s (D-WA) bipartisan, bicameral legislation that would help clear a hurdle to restoring scheduled commercial service to William R. Fairchild International Airport in Port Angeles passed the House of Representatives. It now moves to the Senate for consideration. The Treating Small Airports with Fairness Act would require the TSA to restore screening services to any airport that lost service after January 1, 2013 and has commitment of return from a commercial airline.

“It’s time to bring commercial flights back to William R. Fairchild International Airport”, said Kilmer. “Restoring the service would give folks an easy way to get to Seattle and other parts of the country while boosting tourism by bringing new visitors to the Olympic Peninsula. This legislation would help ensure our airport has the capacity to handle folks flying in and out.”  

The act was originally introduced by Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Representatives Greg Walden (R-OR) and Peter DeFzaio (D-OR). Kilmer is an original cosponsor.

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