A few hurdles remain, but the City Council's vote means Sunday alcohol sales at the airport will soon begin at 7 a.m., just like any other day.
By TAMARA LUSH
Published October 10, 2003
TAMPA - Those who have to catch a plane on a Sunday morning will soon be able to imbibe a preflight Bloody Mary as early as 7 a.m. at Tampa International Airport.
The Tampa City Council voted Thursday to relax so-called blue laws that regulate the sale of alcohol on Sunday.
"One of the larger complaints we've had is that travelers can't get alcohol," said Louis Miller, the airport's executive director. "People are coming from all over the country, all over the world. They want to have a drink."
Before the council's vote, the airport served alcohol at 7 a.m. every day of the week except for Sunday. In August, airport officials asked for an exemption from the blue laws to improve customer satisfaction and, as a lesser reason, to boost revenues.
The council voted 4-1 to adopt the measure, although there will be a public hearing and a final vote in coming weeks.
Once adopted, the airport's bars and restaurants can sell liquor, beer and wine starting at 7 a.m. on Sundays.
Council member Shawn Harrison opposed the measure.
"Anyone could come in off the street at 7 a.m. and have a couple of beers at the airport," Harrison said.
Council member Mary Alvarez didn't agree. "I don't think a person is going to pay a parking fee" to drink at 7 a.m., she said.
The change in alcohol sales at TIA comes on the heels of another recent ordinance: In September, the council and mayor ruled that merchants in the city can sell alcoholic beverages beginning at 11 a.m. Sundays instead of 1 p.m.
Airport officials say about 6-million travelers a year pass through TIA. The travelers are from across the globe and crossing time zones, and some don't understand why Tampa doesn't allow alcohol sales on Sunday mornings. Some are jittery fliers who want a drink before boarding a plane.
Many other international airports serve alcohol in the morning.
"It's a good move," said Miller. "I think you will find very few people will have opposition to it."
