The FAA has opened up an investigation into the San Antonio and Buffalo Airports after they forced the company that provides food at the airports to turn down Chick-fil-A ‘s bid to put in restaurants there.
Private airports can do whatever they please but airports who get government money are forbidden by law from refusing to business because of religious conviction. In both cases, the banning of restaurants was the work of local liberal politicians. The airports could have to refund money to the FAA and would not be eligible for new grants.
That could cripple them or at least cause them to feel a pinch.
Two major U.S. airports might soon regret their decision to ban the popular fast-food chain Chick-fil-A after the Federal Aviation Administration announced an investigation into the matter, based on a discrimination complaint.
According to Fox News, the FAA will be exploring why San Antonio International in Texas and Buffalo Niagara International in New York prevented Chick-fil-A — known for its commitment to traditional Christian values — from opening locations in the airports.
The investigation was launched after the FAA received complaints of religious discrimination from First Liberty, a law firm specializing in religious freedom cases.
“The Department of Transportation has received complaints alleging discrimination by two airport operators against a private company due to the expression of the owner’s religious beliefs,” the FAA said in a statement to Fox News.
The problem is simple: Taxpayer-funded airports can’t discriminate against a private business for religious reasons. Private airports essentially can do as they please, but the San Antonio and Buffalo Niagara airports received federal dollars.