Airport Closing Opposed

The budget bill stipulates that the airport, located off Airport Road, will stay open until otherwise ordered by the N.C. General Assembly.

It was introduced into the House budget July 31, three months after Moeser announced that the University was suspending operations at the airport as soon as a new home could be found for UNC's air fleet.

The provision is not in the Senate version of the budget.

Moeser cited financial strain on the University and a lack of resources to make safety improvements as the main reasons for shutting down the airport.

UNC spent an average of $250,000 to meet the airport's capital cost expenses. All told, the airport is expected to record an operating deficit totaling about $100,000 for the 2001-02 fiscal year

Rep.Verla Insko, D-Orange, said the provision, which was unanimously approved by the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Education, has arisen for multiple reasons.

"There are several influences at work here -- there are private pilots who keep their planes at the field, people who want to refuel and land there and then sports fans who fly in for basketball and football games," Insko said.

The airport houses about 25 privately owned planes, seven of which are owned by the University.

Insko said she knows the proposal has backing in the Senate.

"I know several senators have (Area Health Education Centers) in their districts, and they don't want to see the program harmed," she said.

AHEC coordinates the transport of doctors from the UNC School of Medicine to other areas around the state. Faculty then provide their expertise for speciality clinics and educational programs. The program houses its fleet at the Horace Williams Airport.

Moeser said upon the announcement of the airport's closure that the site would stay operational until AHEC could be relocated.

Insko said the AHEC's transition might not move as swiftly as Moeser hoped.

"There are negotiations under way for a new hangar for the AHEC fleet, but even if those are successful, I doubt it will be ready by January 1."

Opponents have said relocation won't solve the entire problem. They contend that doctors won't participate in a program they have to drive long distances to get to. Insko said a University-conducted survey might tell a different story.

"Off the top of my head, about 70 percent of the doctors said they would continue to participate," Insko said.

"While this is a drop, it's still more than half."

Insko also said she doesn't think lessened mobility should affect the program's quality.

"We are increasing our ability to reach the whole state electronically every day," she said.

"Through distance learning and telecommuting, we can reach rural areas that were before very remote."

Insko said she thinks the airport's days are numbered. "My feeling is that the airport will eventually close and AHEC will find a new home," she said.

Moeser had set the deadline for the airport's closure before the end of the year, but if the legislation is approved, Moeser will have little control over the future of the site.

For the legislation to pass into law, it will have to be approved by both chambers.

The City Editor can be reached at citydesk@unc.edu.