Kelly says he still has concerns over airport board appointments

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The fight over who gets to control the board of the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport continues to grow.

State leaders have made six appointments of the nine seats to the airport board following a new state law that gives them that authority.

Legislators argued that since the state funds transportation, they should get to choose who makes decisions for local airports.

However, Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly has been a critic of this decision.

He says his issue is not with who has been appointed, but what this could mean for local control.

Mayor Kelly said, “My issue is when the long-term state leadership changes and people from outside of Chattanooga are appointed, they may have an adverse agenda towards Chattanooga…. If  you actually look at the state’s financial contribution proportional to who funds our airport, they would only get two or three board seats, not six of the nine.”

Before the board is appointed, the Tennessee Supreme Court will hear a challenge from the Chattanooga airport to decide whether or not the state appointments can take their seats.