Springfield aviation director joins national board

Gary Cyr, director of aviation for Springfield-Branson National Airport, was chosen as a member of the board of directors for the American Association of Airport Executives, the country’s largest aviation lobbying organization.

“This appointment means that our airport, ... now has a chance to influence federal aviation issues that affect every member of the flying public,” Cyr said in a news release.

Cyr pointed to two issues as most pressing for airports: federal security requirements and federal funding of airport infrastructure. On the issue of security, Cyr said he worries about unfunded security mandates from the federal government.

“(I’m) in favor of good security, but (we) don’t have a blank check to pay for it,” Cyr said.

According to the airport’s release, AAAE is lobbying the government to provide financial tools for airport capital improvements.

Cyr knows a thing or two about capital improvement projects; Springfield-Branson National is in the midst of a $119 million midfield terminal project.

This story originally appeared in SBJ’s July 12 free e-news Daily Update. Register at sbj.net.