National Jets has been approved by the TSA as the newest DCA Gateway FBO for Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) in Florida. DCA Gateway airports and FBOs are those that have been designated access to Reagan National Airport (DCA) in Washington DC, an area that has restricted airspace regulations.
The application process took three months, including the paperwork, establishment of a security program, training, and inspections by the TSA. The agency determined that the existing facility would not require modifications in order to comply with the FBOSSP – Fixed Based Operator Standard Security Program – regulations.
The authorization was granted under the DCA Access Standard Security Program (DASSP). Sam Robbin, CEO at National Jets, said, “Adding our DCA Gateway approval only adds to the conveniences that we are able provide our customers.”
Elsewhere, B Coleman Aviation and Coleman Jet have also achieved certification as participants in the DASSP, with the former being approved as a DCA Gateway FBO and Coleman Jet, B Coleman Aviation’s private jet charter and aircraft management division, earning access to operate flights at DCA.
John Girzadas, president of B Coleman, said, “We are pleased to offer our clients the convenience of traveling to Reagan National Airport on our aircraft departing from home base. We believe this will greatly benefit Chicago-area businesses as well as other regionally based operators that will now have an additional DCA Gateway option at a less congested airport.”
The TSA began approving general aviation operations for DCA in 2006 after restricting access to the airport due to the September 11 terrorist attacks. In the interest of national security, all operators and gateway FBO facilities must adhere to stringent security requirements to become approved participants in the DASSP.
