Security
NATA Goes To Bat Against TFRs

As the 2012 U.S. election campaign season begins ramping up, industry leaders are concerned about what they believe will be an unprecedented number of temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) as candidates spread out to press the flesh. Given the number of states up for grabs in what looks to be an extremely close and contentious presidential election, private aviation is bracing for the inevitable travel interruptions.

“I’m concerned that 2012 may be one of the worst years ever for the scope of TFRs,” said James Coyne, president and CEO of the National Air Transportation Association (NATA). He believes that the elections could engender as many as four times the number of flight restrictions as seen in a normal year, thus increasing the harm done to aviation businesses. “From our point of view the businesses at the airport are effectively shut down,” he told AIN. “What the government does is take away your business for a day in a way that very few other American businesses have to endure.”