[Scan-DC] Dulles to close runway for overflow inaugural plane parking

[Alan Henney]

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/01/12/dulles-to-close-runway-for-overflow-inaugural-plane-parking/

January 12, 2009
Dulles to close runway for overflow inaugural plane parking
Posted: 05:23 PM ET

>From CNN's Mike Ahlers


Dulles airport is planning for a surge in private plane traffic.
WASHINGTON (CNN) — Cars, limos and buses aren't the only modes of
transportation that will find parking at a premium on Inauguration
Day.

Dulles International Airport said Monday it will temporarily close its
newest runway to provide parking for an expected surge in private
planes during the big event.

The 9,400-foot runway known to pilots as 1L/19R will be closed from
January 16 to 23, said Tara Hamilton, spokeswoman for the Washington
Metropolitan Airports Authority. The airport is "guesstimating" that
some 500 private aircraft will arrive at Dulles, and the runway will
provide an overflow capacity for general aviation aircraft.


Some 300 private aircraft arrived at Dulles in 2004, the first
inauguration in which traffic was limited at the closer-in Reagan
National Airport, Hamilton said.

The airport opened the new $356 million runway in November. The
airport has three other runways.

Filed under: Inauguration