Secretary Foxx questions NC airport dispute

CHARLOTTE, NC (AP) — U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx says the dispute over who controls Charlotte Douglas International Airport is what he calls “an unnecessary mess.”

The former Charlotte mayor told The Charlotte Observer he doesn’t know when the Federal Agitation Administration might make a decision.

Foxx said it would be best for local officials to decide control of the airport.

North Carolina lawmakers last year approved a plan to take control of the airport from the city and give it to a regional commission. They said that would prevent what they called “meddling” by the city.

Opponents called it a power grab by those outside the city.

The U.S. Transportation Department has said Foxx will not be involved in the decision under an ethics agreement.

Information from: The Charlotte Observer, http://www.charlotteobserver.com

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