Officials: Jerry Orr out as aviation director of Charlotte airport

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — After a shakeup at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, the man whose served as head of the authority for decades is out.

Eyewitness News spoke to Jerry Orr on Thursday and he would only say he is the executive director of the airport authority and fully expects to be the director when or if the lawsuit passes.

Channel 9 spoke with Jerry Orr's attorney who says without a doubt the aviation director was fired.

One city leader said that is not the case and Orr resigned his position.

 Orr spent nearly 40 years as a staple here at the airport, starting his career in 1975 and taking over as aviation director in 1989.

Charlotte City Manager Ron Carlee released a statement that says in part, "Orr wrote me today that his employment as executive director of the airport authority commenced and his employment by the city as aviation director was terminated with passage of the state legislation."

Carlee said he then immediately set out to name a new interim director.

Eyewitness News spoke to Orr's attorney who says just the opposite, Richard Vinroot said the city interpreted Orr's statement about "now working for the state" as a resignation letter.

Vinroot said Orr was even asked to leave the building.

Former finance director Brent Cagle is serving as interim director of Charlotte Douglas International.

US Airways released a statement, "We are disappointed that the dispute over the ownership of the airport has precipitated the departure of Jerry Orr, whose leadership built CLT into the industry-leading airport and economic engine that it is today. The airport has been a critical part of the success of the Charlotte region and is critical to its future, and it is unfortunate that the airport has become involved in litigation. Mayor Patsy Kinsey and Governor Pat McCrory have assured US Airways that CLT will continue to run smoothly while the legal and political processes surrounding the new legislation work toward a conclusion. We appreciate the Mayor's and Governor's involvement in making sure that the future of the airport is secure and are encouraged by the fact that the airport has a strong staff, including Interim Aviation Director Brent Cagle. We urge the parties to resolve this dispute and get back to the business of ensuring the airport continues to be run in the future as efficiently and effectively as it has been in the past."

WSOC