Take off slowed at Marathon Airport
Customs and Border Protection office
BY TERRY SCHMIDA
Some last minute adjustments to the planned U.S Customs and Border Protection office at the Marathon Airport could delay its launch by months.
The modifications are being mandated by federal inspectors, and are expected to suspend the lift-off until at least early October. The facility had been scheduled to go into service this month.
“We originally had it scheduled for an August opening,” said Monroe County Director of Airports Don DeGraw. “But it turns out that we’re going to need some additional equipment there. We’re going to have to process a change order, and then wait for the equipment to arrive.”
DeGraw added that the revisions are somewhat minor, and a part of the process of establishing such stations at installations such as Florida Keys Marathon International Airport, or MTH, as it’s referred to in the International Air Transport Association code.
“These types of projects normally evolve over time,” he said. “We’ve had periodic inspections from Customs and Border Protection, and they told us in advance that they may change the plans that have already been approved. However, these are not huge changes. At this point, our best guess for the opening date is going to be somewhere around mid-October.”
There are currently no regularly scheduled commercial air services at the airport, though charter companies such as Tropic Ocean Airways, of Fort Lauderdale, has expressed interest in adding a flight to Marathon. That firm, which also operates out of the Miami seaplane basin, currently has weekly scheduled flights to the Bahamas. Privately-owned and corporate aircraft are regular fixtures at Marathon International.
The County Commission, which owns the airport, added “International” to its name earlier this year, but it won’t officially become a federal point of entry for international travelers until the Customs and Border Protection post opens. It will be staffed by one full-time Customs agent, DeGraw said.
The airport is located at Mile Marker 52, Gulfside. It was constructed during World War II as an airstrip for bomber training, and boasts the longest civilian runway in the Keys. Two “fixed base operators,” Marathon General Aviation, and the Marathon Jet Center, currently serve the installation.
While the bomb-proof office is still under construction, operating hours have already been announced: The facility will be in operation from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays.
Construction is expected to cost about $1,100,00. Operating costs will be paid for through user fees.

 

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