Dear editor:

I cannot explain how your contributor concluded that rich U.S. citizens have been a major source of aircraft traffic at Niagara District Airport (“Letter: Airport expansion bad news for us and our environment,” Sept. 3). I doubt there is any data to support that conclusion.

As the airport manager for four years (2007-2011), let me tell you what I saw.

I saw student pilots learning to fly at the St Catharines Flying Club, for recreation or in pursuit of a career. I saw Air Cadet League of Canada two-seat gliders giving young cadets their first opportunities to experience flight.

I saw the Snowbirds doing precision flight demonstrations. I saw airport-based aircraft flying recreationally or on business.

None of these were U.S. owned.

I saw helicopters providing tours of Niagara Falls. And yes, I did see rich U.S. citizens arrive and clear customs. Larry the Tool Guy, Jay Leno and Reba McEntire were among them, all coming to give performances at the casino.

More importantly perhaps, I saw C-130 aircraft from Trenton practicing search-and-rescue procedures on the airfield. I saw the RCMP aircraft doing liaison visits to the region. And I saw medevacs and patient transfers when the hospital helipad wasn’t usable or a helicopter wasn’t available.

It’s my fact-based conclusion that the airport is a valuable part of the regional transportation infrastructure.

Kenn Moody
NOTL