Cantwell Backs Tri-Cities Airport's Grant Request to Upgrade Baggage Screening
Press Release
Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) sent a letter to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in support of the Port of Pasco's application for a $3.8 million grant to upgrade the baggage screening system at the Tri-Cities Airport as it prepares for future growth.
Tri-Cities Airport seeks to install an inline explosives detection baggage screening system to accommodate growth in passenger demand. Tri-Cities Airport is undergoing a $41.5 million expansion that will double the size of its current terminal and modernize the airport's ticketing and baggage areas. The project is scheduled to be completed in January 2017.
"The Tri-Cities Airport is a major regional transportation asset in the State of Washington serving more than one million residents living in communities in southeast Washington and northeast Oregon," wrote Cantwell, ranking member of the Senate Subcommittee on Aviation, Operations and Security, in the letter. "This airport is the gateway to the Tri-Cities region, is a key contributor to the economic vitality of the region, and provides direct air service to eight major airport hubs throughout the U.S."
"In just the last five years, the Tri-Cities Airport has experienced a 50 percent increase in passenger boardings, serving more than 331,000 passengers annually," Cantwell said in the letter. "In the next 10 years, passenger enplanements are expected to increase to nearly 500,000."
At a Senate Aviation Subcommittee hearing Tuesday, Cantwell secured assurance from TSA Acting Administrator Melvin Carraway that TSA considers grant applications from both smaller and larger commercial airports.
"Typically we want to make sure that the planning up front is fully done and in many cases there happens to be many changes that occur," Carraway said. "We are constantly engaged with FAA on any changes that occur and we keep in mind our budget in regards to that."
The Tri-Cities Airport provides local air service to more than one million residents living in southeast Washington and northeast Oregon.
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