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CNN Live At Daybreak

America Recovers: Regan National Airport

Aired October 04, 2001 - 07:06   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: Let's turn our attention now to this shuttle jet that's taking off from Reagan National, which is open for the first time today. A lot of dignitaries on this plane and it is wheels up time. The plane expected to arrive at New York's LaGuardia just about an hour from now.

Among those on board, D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams, Senator George Allen, Virginia Governor Gilmore.

MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Of course, there are a lot of restrictions placed on flights to and from National Airport, including the imposition of having a sky marshal on every aircraft. Of course, with that group you just mentioned, there's a lot of security on board that plane.

Anyway, nevertheless, that is, that is a Continental flight that is on its way to the active runway as we speak. National Airport back in business.

Among the other things they're going to be doing in National Airport is changing their flight pattern. Anybody who's flown into National Airport, especially done that Potomac River approach, knows it seems as if you can reach out and touch the Washington Monument as you come in and they're going to try to modify that somewhat.

Kathleen Koch is at the airport this morning -- Kathleen, what are you seeing and hearing there this morning?

KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Miles and Paula, just a moment ago, as you described, that plane taking off. There was a very moving moment, it gave me chills, people applauded and clapped as that plane took off.

There, it really is a celebratory mood here this morning because many people wondered if this airport would ever reopen.

Now, Miles, as you said, security here is very tight this morning. At every entrance to the airport they advised people only one carry on bag will now be allowed on any of these flights. That's in addition to, just say, a purse or a briefcase.

We've seen a lot of canine patrols, a lot of armed U.S. air marshals all throughout the airport, all sorts of very intense security to make sure that these flights are the safest in the nation.

Now, as you've mentioned, they're going to be changing those flight routes. Normally, again, the planes come in and take off, that winding route over the Potomac River, generally to keep the noise down. Many of the residents in this area have been very sensitive to that. But that now all will change. The noise restrictions will be lifted. The hope here is that too many people won't complain, realizing that everything obviously has to change now after September 11 -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: Well, perhaps under the circumstances the phones won't be lighting up there at National Airport.

Well, it's good to see the airport back in business, somewhat limited flight schedule right now and certainly those restrictions will hamper travel somewhat. And if you're flying into and out of National Airport, allow yourself a little more time, as they say.

Thanks a lot, Kathleen Koch at National Airport. Now we've got the...

ZAHN: How about a lot more time, Miles?

O'BRIEN: Yes. Yes. I think that was an understatement.

ZAHN: Yes, we all have to learn to be very patient when we travel these days.

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