Celebrity family feud

May this be the first and last time I ever cite People magazine on my blog, but this story is too juicy to pass.

Hairspray star Nikki Blonsky (right) and her father were arrested after fighting with the family of America's Next Top Model contestant Bianca Golden (left) in the departure lounge of the Providenciales International Airport in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Golden was also charged with assault.

Poor airport staff. This isn't Los Angeles International Airport, people.

And you thought flying in the Bermuda Triangle was dangerous!

Detroit readies wrecking ball

Wayne County Airport Authority voted in favour yesterday of its Master Plan for Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County airport, which includes the construction of a seventh runway.

If approved by the US FAA, the forthcoming runway will need around 1,000 acres outside the airport’s current boundary.

Understandably, some property owners aren't happy, but that hasn't stopped progress in the past.

The airport’s fifth parallel runway will run east of the airport and be used for arrivals.

The authority says in a statement it expects the new runway could be needed in the 2018-2027 timeframe.

It's 4:20 somewhere

Potheads want the government to legalize marijuana use in airport smoking lounges.

Denver-based Safer Alternative for Enjoyable Recreation (SAFER)-insert joke about the Mile High City here-claim marijuana will help fliers relax.

Get the full scoop here.

Caps be gone

Flight caps at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport will be removed after the airport’s newest runway opens in November. A post about the new runway is forthcoming.

Between 56 and 70 more arrivals will be added throughout the day-roughly four to five extra arrivals per hour-when the runway opens, FAA Acting Administrator Robert Sturgell says in a statement.

Hourly domestic arrivals and departures at O’Hare were capped at 88 each between 7 am and 8 pm in 2004 as a temporary step to reduce congestion at the then most-delayed hub in the USA.

Originally scheduled to end in April 2005, the caps were continually extended while additional measures to address congestion and delays at the airport were considered.

There might be some headaches. Some airlines are unhappy with the news. And this just in: the cost of fuel is rising.

Runway on hold

Yesterday I wrote about the controversial seventh runway proposed for Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport.

Wayne County Airport Authority has decided again to hold off on voting on its Master Plan to meet with local mayors about their concerns. The authority will take up the matter in its July 24 meeting.

Construction of the 10,000-foot outer runway requires the acquisition of a sizeable amount of property outside the airport’s current boundary.

Runway NIMBYism

Tensions are heating up over a proposed runway in the Detroit metro area.

Wayne County Airport Authority will vote tomorrow on the runway and the rest of its proposed Master Plan for Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport.

The seventh runway is the most controversial element of the 20-year plan, which still needs US FAA approval.

Construction of the 10,000-foot outer runway, which will run east of the airport, requires the acquisition of a sizeable amount of property outside the airport’s current boundary.

Houses, schools and businesses in surrounding towns, including Romulus, may stand in the way of runway construction. Understandably, Romulus mayor Alan Lambert is upset.

On top of that, the Detroit Free Press is reporting that the airport overstated its need for the new runway.

The airport authority put together a FAQ in response to residents' concerns.

It will be interesting to see what happens at tomorrow's meeting. In the meantime, the moral of the story is never buy a house near an airport or near where you think there might be an airport someday. Or rent. Or move to the moon.