3-judge panel blocks bid to drop Chattanooga Airport Authority from governance lawsuit

A three-judge panel on Monday denied a request to voluntarily dismiss the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport Authority from its lawsuit challenging a new state law changing airport governance.

Official response and confirmed impact

The panel heard arguments in four pending matters tied to the dispute between the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport Authority, the City of Chattanooga, and the State of Tennessee.

The judges denied a motion filed by attorney Sandy Mattice on behalf of people appointed under the new law.

The motion sought to remove the airport authority as a plaintiff from the lawsuit.

Chancellor Jeff Atherton, the panel’s chief judge, said a written order could be issued as soon as Monday or Tuesday.

That request follows a bill signed into law in May that dissolves the existing locally appointed airport board.

Incident under investigation

The court also heard arguments over the state’s request to pause the case, the state’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit, and the city and airport authority’s request for temporary relief.

The CMAA is asking the court to allow the airport to continue operating under its former board structure while the lawsuit moves forward.