Re: the July 10 article "Support, concerns at TIA for spaceport"
Will a spaceport designation at Tucson International Airport (TIA) negatively impact air service? As stated by Southwest Airlines in the July 10 article, the World View operations could "erode the commercial attractiveness of the Tucson airport." The Tucson community and Tucson Airport Authority (TAA) have continually sought to increase the number of flights and destinations from TIA. If designating TAA a spaceport puts that goal in jeopardy, it will more than negate any benefits of the "up to 400 eventual jobs" at World View and development of the Aerospace Parkway.
The TAA Board of Directors should be commended for seeking input from all airport stakeholders to ensure a spaceport designation does not negatively impact the Tucson International Airport and Southern Arizona. Tucson International Aiport's $3.2 billion annual economic impact to Tucson and Pima County must be weighed against the spaceport designation.
Karen Thomas
Downtown
