Intended to improve safety and originally scheduled to go into effect October 1, the “Pearson box” rule would significantly limit when and how planes take off and land at Pearson Field.
The city of Vancouver and a number of elected officials have come forward in opposition of the rule, and a meeting between Pearson and the FAA has been scheduled for Saturday.
In a press release, the city of Vancouver said that if implemented, the new rule would have a negative impact on local business.
“The changed procedure and resulting delays will significantly impact Vancouver and Clark County commerce,” the release stated. “Pearson Field provides a positive economic impact of $38 million for the city of Vancouver and Clark County, according to a study contracted by the Washington State Department of Transportation. A loss of this revenue is particularly challenging amidst a fragile economy.”
The city said the best solution to ensuring continued safe management of local airspace is to reinstate the air traffic control tower at Pearson, which the FAA removed on April 1 of this year.
