Airport budget decreases after security improvements

On Sept. 11, 2001, Air Force One was parked on the tarmac at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport. After the terrorist attacks of that day, the airport spent an estimated $15 million on security improvements to address the new threat of an in-flight terrorist attack.

According to airport CEO Rick Piccolo, the threat has evolved since 9/11 — and so, too, has the airport.

“We changed a lot of our philosophies based on what’s going on in the world,” Piccolo said. “We’re trying to adjust as quickly as possible.”

Although the $16.75 million proposed budget for fiscal year 2017 does not include specific security improvements, the airport does have $1.7 million in surplus funds that could help fund emergency expenses. 

 Last year’s expenses for the airport included a special expense of  $250,000, which the Sarasota-Manatee Airport Authority approved following the March 2016 attack in which two men detonated explosive vests at a Brussels airport.  

The terminal now features shatter-resistant glass to avoid additional casualties in case of a detonation within the facility. Perhaps the most visible addition is a long rifle and a bulletproof vest for the airport police officer in the terminal.

“If there is an active shooter situation, we have someone going toward that situation immediately with the same level of firepower,” Piccolo said.

Piccolo said the airport will do its best to keep up with new threats.

“You can’t guarantee 100% security anywhere, but there are things that we can do to react and prevent (threats),” Piccolo said.