The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is proposing permanent special flight rules restricting aircraft operations around President Donald Trump‘s private Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, citing national security concerns.
Restricting Airspace Comes Amid Secret Service Request
In a proposal published by the Department of Transportation (DOT) on Wednesday, the FAA sought to “implement certain Special Air Traffic Rules” in the airspace around the President Donald J. Trump International Airport (DJT), which was formerly known as the Palm Beach International Airport (PBI).
The proposal said that the “U.S. Secret Service (USSS) requested FAA restrict aircraft operations” around Mar-a-Lago, which sits directly in line with the airport, which could cause problems for flights taking off from and landing at the airport. The DJT has three runways: 28R/10L, 28L/10R and 14/32. The 28R/10L is the primary runway for commercial operations.
“Aircraft would essentially be unable to use Runway 28R/10L if FAA established a prohibited area,” the proposal said. The FAA added that “establishing a flight prohibition over Mar-A-Lago Club would severely restrict access to DJT,” as the 14/32 runway is 3,000 feet shorter than the primary runway, FAA said.
The FAA had earlier implemented a temporary restriction in October last year within a one-nautical-mile radius (approximately 1.15 miles) and 2,000 feet around the resort for planes at all times, citing security concerns from the Secret Service. The proposed rule would replace the current temporary restriction with permanent special flight rules.
Trump Suggests Hormuz Rename
Trump, on Wednesday, said that the Strait of Hormuz should be renamed the “Trump Strait,” saying that the U.S. had control over the waterway responsible for a fifth of the world’s total oil supply. Trump’s suggestion was met with sharp criticism from Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), who pointed to rising gas prices for ordinary Americans.
Check out more of Benzinga’s Future Of Mobility coverage by following this link.
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock
Recent Comments