Passengers at the Charlotte airport can expect short delays to be an ongoing but somewhat random problem. Delays have increased since the Federal Aviation Administration started furloughing workers Sunday because of the sequester.
The Charlotte airport plans to buy out a neighborhood less than a mile south of its newest runway. There are almost 70 homes there, and the airport advisory committee agreed Thursday to budget $35 million to buy those properties.
Senate Bill 81 would transfer control of the Charlotte Airport to a regional board, including appointees of five counties that border Mecklenburg. Two of them - Gaston and Union Counties - are considering resolutions of support for the legislation.
The five counties bordering Mecklenburg would suddenly have a voice in Charlotte Airport management if Senate Bill 81 passes. That's the measure sponsored by Matthews Senator Bob Rucho to pry the airport from Charlotte's grasp and place it in the hands of a 13-member regional board.
To date, none of the counties included on that board have taken a clear stance on the move, but that may soon change.
