CHATTANOOGA — Two rival Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport boards met at the same time on Monday, July 20, 2026. The simultaneous sessions heightened a dispute over control of the Tennessee airport and involved allegations of legal violations.

The longtime Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport board held its session on the third floor of City Hall. The board described by the opposition as "the Takeover Board" met at the Airport. A Chancery Court hearing had been set for the afternoon of July 20, 2026, but was postponed.

Mayor Tim Kelly said Chattanooga is "collateral damage" in a long-running dispute between the Republican-led General Assembly and the Metro Nashville Council. Kelly said the current airport board "is doing a great job." He said state appointees on the new board "can be changed at the whim of a politician." he said the change "is really about" the rift between the Legislature and the capital city. Chattanooga provided the land for the Airport decades ago.

Attorney John Konvalinka is representing the city in two legal actions seeking to retain the existing airport board. He explained the rationale for the rival meeting, saying the other board was meeting "to correct Sunshine Law and Open Meetings Act violations" from its session last Thursday. Konvalinka said the Chancery Court hearing was postponed until perhaps Aug. 13. He said there is a delay over getting the appointment of a three-judge panel by the Tennessee Supreme Court.

A federal case involving jurisdiction of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was filed as another legal effort to keep the current board. Attorney D. Kirk Shaffer is handling the matter involving FAA jurisdiction. Konvalinka said the FAA asked for a delay until July 27 for its response.

The new airport board passed several resolutions regarding legal representation and personnel. The board passed a resolution terminating attorney John Konvalinka. It also passed a resolution firing attorney D. Kirk Shaffer.

The new airport board passed a resolution naming former Federal Judge Sandy Mattice as Airport legal counsel. Additionally, the new airport board passed a resolution moving to dismiss the employment of the firm of former city official Kerry Hayes (Coe Strategies).