Airport security measures coming

With recent events heightening airport security concerns, the Missouri Depart-ment of Transportation is working with aviators throughout the state to make sure Missouri airports are as safe as they can be, according to a MoDOT news release.

The state of Missouri has 129 public-use airports, including eight that handle commercial traffic. The eight commercial airports are regulated by the federal government, and MoDOT provides support to the remaining 121 via funding, safety inspections and other assistance such as airport security guidance.

MoDOT has been working with the Federal Aviation Administration as well as MoDOT's Aviation Advisory Committee, to discuss security improvements that can be made. MoDOT's Aviation Advisory Committee is a group of industry experts from throughout the state.

"We've worked with MoDOT officials recently to establish a security notification system that will help us let all airport officials know about threatening situations," said Michael Faltermeier of the FAA. "MoDOT has also done a great job in helping us revise our capital improvements program to include airport security items," he added.

Missouri is home to more than 6,200 registered aircraft and about 12,000 registered pilots.