The denial of screening services  by Transportation Security Administration at the Salina Regional Airport may delay the start of flights to Denver.

According to the Salina Airport Authority, TSA headquarters has indicated that they will reconsider their decision to deny Salina’s request to federalize the Salina Regional Airport, if public funds can be used to reimburse the TSA’s screening services costs.

In addition to Salina, the TSA has denied screening services at small airports in California, Florida, Georgia, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.

In response to the TSA’s refusal to meet its obligation to provide passenger screening services the “Treating Small Airports with Fairness Act of 2016” has been introduced in both the U.S. Senate and U.S. House. Copies of the bills can be viewed at www.salinaairport.com.

According to Salina Airport Authority executive director, Tim Rogers “the TSA’s denial ignores the fact that passenger screening services at small airports are just as critical as security screening at large airports. Air carrier and passenger security should be consistent at all the nation’s commercial airports.”

Senator Pat Roberts, Senator Jerry Moran and Congressman Tim Huelskamp have added their names to the TSA Fairness Act as cosponsors. The Kansas Congressional delegation is working together to find a legislative fix to fund and require the TSA to meet its obligation to provide the same standard of screening services at small airports as provided at hub airports.

Salina Airport Authority board of directors chair, Mike Hoppock, stated, “Salina and Saline County residents appreciate the quick response of Senator Roberts, Senator Moran and Congressman Huelskamp to this issue. The TSA should be obligated to support communities with essential air service flights with the same level of airport screening services that are present at hub airports.”

On February 10, 2016, Great Lakes Airlines was selected by the USDOT to provide non-stop flights from Salina, KS to the Denver International Airport with 30 seat regional aircraft. The USDOT selection order can be found online at www.salinaairport.com.