Security improved at Manassas Airport following 9/11

Prior to 9/11 the main security threats to Manassas Regional Airport were petty theft and vandalism.

At that time the Federal Aviation Administration occasionally provided a security threat assessment to general aviation airports which normally indicated that there had been a rash of avionic thefts and that airport officials should be on the lookout for those types of activities.

Immediately following the events of 9/11, Airport Director Juan Rivera and the then Manassas Chief of Police John Skinner decided to set up road blocks at the two entrances into the airport.

“The road blocks were manned by city police officers. Everyone coming into the airport had to present an identification. All flights were temporally grounded by the FAA except for law enforcement and medevac helicopters,” said Rivera .

The FAA restricted all general  aviation aircraft from operating in and out of Washington-Dulles International l and Ronald Reagan Washington National airports until the airlines and airports could meet the new security requirements imposed by the FAA.

“During this time, about two weeks, the airport saw a tremendous increase in the activity levels. Aircraft were landing about every 10 to 15 minutes during the day and the ramp had about 85 aircraft, mainly corporate business jets parked on it. This was on top of the normal 400 base aircraft,” said Rivera.

At one point, Rivera said he counted 12 limousines lined up in front of the Fixed Based Operator on the east-side of the airport waiting to drop off passengers.

“This activity dissipated once the commercial airports were allowed to take General Aviation aircraft again. Some of the planes decided to keep using the Manassas facility due to the increased security delays at Dulles,” said Rivera.

Prior to 9/11 the local airport had very few security measures in place. There was no complete perimeter security fence, no badging system, security cameras or security plan in place.

Since 9/11 the Airport has spent more than $750,000 in security upgrades.

This includes completing the airport perimeter fence, new cameras, a gate card system, badges and a security plan.

The Manassas Airport was the first General Aviation airport in the state to have an approved Airport Security Plan on file with the Virginia Department of Aviation. The plan was developed by the airport staff as well as with the Airport’s Security Committee which is made-up of airport tenants.

The airport receives Department of Aviation grants for security items as long as it is in the voluntary State Security program. Some of the requirements are to maintain an approved security plan and to conduct regular security inspections.

Other than the state, the Department of Home Security gave the state a grant to be shared by all General Aviation airports in the state for security related items. That has been the only funds received from the federal government to date for General Aviation airports in Virginia.

“The airport meets with its tenants regularly to discuss security issues and is only General Aviation airport in the state that has its own paid security officer on the site after hours,” said Rivera.

The airport currently has 341 aircraft stationed at the airport - 259 single engine, 41 multi-engine, 25 jet, 15 helicopters and one glider plane.

Staff writer Bennie Scarton Jr. can be reached at 703-369-6707.