Legislative Aide to Council President Pro Tempore George Cushingberry Jr.
The recent plans advertised to shut down Detroit City
Airport has created a world-wide uproar in the aviation industry. Now a grown up, former Johnson Center, 8 Mile Road youth and resident wants to give back to his home town by bringing commercial air
service back to Detroit City Airport. Marcus K Channey CEO Metro Airways has a plan to install Commercial Air Service at the Airport by November 2017. As a result of the hearing conducted by the City Council's Budget/Audit and Finance committee, some good things have happened.
Website: Metro Airways
He has guaranteed that %2.5 of revenue
generated by his airline will be reinvested into the City in the form of
improved infrastructure like recreation centers and aviation education. The
Benjamin O Davis high school will become a feeder program for the Airline to
hire pilots and mechanics for lucrative careers.
Metro Airlines |
The airport has drawn interest from international carriers
like Al Qatar, Virgin Atlantic, and Southwest that want to have an alternative
choice and provide additional service to the tri-county region. The relocation
of 5 professional sports teams in the City Limits will substantially increase
the value of this land. Team owners and Very High Ranking Government Officials
have already made City Airport the place to be because of the close proximity
to the stadiums and downtown. The plan to reconfigure the Airport with an
additional runway has the support of many aviation professionals and Team Owner
Dan Gilbert of Quicken Loans.
Richard Clement and Dan Gilbert Discuss City Airport |
City
residents will not have to drive so far to catch a flight, airlines will not
have to overbook flights and forcefully drag people off of their aircraft
because of their draconian policies. A joint project with developers like Magic/Redico
LLC, and Rock Ventures would include assistance in building a new Benjamin O
Davis High School. Less that 2% of all
people who participate in sports ever make it to the professional level from
high school. Students would have a better chance of getting an S.T.E.M. career
job then trying to be the next Beyoncé or LeBron James.
People who can afford to fly into Detroit on corporate jets do
not need to be run out of town with a shuttered airport. The new aircraft engines and technology has
enabled pilots to fly non-stop from places as far as France on a single tank of
gas. The airport’s current configuration will allow for passenger planes that
can carry up to 130 people to come and go as they please.
According to Mr. Cheney Detroit City Airport is a Public Use
Airport and a FEMA designated facility in case of an emergency. In addition State
and Local law enforcement frequently use the airport because of the public use
designation. The upgrades to the airport
will cost the City of Detroit zero dollars because all of the funding is
restricted FAA funds. Finally the
biggest beneficiary of the Airport will be the Detroit Public School Community School
District and the children who want to study aviation as a career.
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