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OST-2005-20127 - Small Community Air Service Development Proposal - Soliciting Community Applications
OST-2002-11590 - 2002 Small Community Air Service Development Program
OST-2003-15065 - 2003 Small Community Air Service Development Program
OST-2004-17343 - 2004 Small Community Air Service Development Program
OST-2006-23671 - 2006 Small Community Air Service Development Program
OST-2007-27370 - 2007 Small Community Air Service Development Program
OST-2008-0100 - 2008 Small Community Air Service Development Program
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Small Community Air Service Development Program Order 2005-1-12 Issued and Served January 19, 2005 Order Soliciting Community Grant Proposals | Word Notice of Order Soliciting Community Proposals - Final Publication - January 26, 2005 By this order, the Department invites proposals from communities and/or consortia of communities interested in obtaining a federal grant under the Small Community Air Service Development Program to address air service and airfare problems in their communities. Proposals should be submitted in the above-referenced docket no later than April 22, 2005. The statute does not require communities to contribute toward a grant project, although those that do contribute from local sources other than airport revenues are accorded priority consideration. One core objective of the Small Community Program is to promote community involvement in addressing air service/air fare issues through public/private partnerships. As a financial stakeholder in the process, the community gains greater control over the type, quality, and success of the air service initiatives that will best meet its needs, and demonstrates a greater commitment towards achieving the stated goals. The Department has historically received many more applications than can be accommodated and nearly all of those applications have proposed a community financial contribution to the project. Thus, proposals that do not propose a community financial contribution will be at a competitive disadvantage. While some communities may have greater financial resources than others, there should be a direct relationship between the amount of federal support that a community seeks and the amount that it is prepared to contribute toward the proposed initiative. As a general rule, the greater the federal grant amount requested, the greater the community’s contribution should be. By: Karan Bhatia
January 19, 2005 Notice of Order Soliciting Community Proposals The Department of Transportation is soliciting proposals from communities or consortia of communities interested in receiving a grant under the Small Community Air Service Development Program. The full text of the Department’s order is attached to this document. By: Karan Bhatia
February 22, 2005 The application seeks $800,000 to improve air service choices available to the 600,000 residents of the Virginia Peninsula region to attract nonstop low‑fare airline service to multiple new destinations. By: EDA
February 22, 2005 James City County Board of Supervisors in Support of Newport News/Williamsburg Grant Application Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport has a superior record of success in partnering with airlines to implement new air service. Recent examples include a community initiative to secure New York service in 2002. Similar success was achieved in the mid 1990's when the region used incentives to secure the airport's first Atlanta service. Today, two airlines provide Virginia citizens with eleven daily jet flights to Atlanta. I am confident that if awarded funding under the Small Community Air Service Program in 2005, Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport and the Virginia Peninsula will repeat the success achieved with both their New York and Atlanta programs, again‑improving the airline choices available to the regions air travelers. By: James City Council
February 8, 2005 York County Letter in Support of Newport News/Williamsburg Grant Application We are confident that if awarded funding under the Small Community Air Service Program in 2005, Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport and the Virginia Peninsula will repeat the success achieved with both the New York and Atlanta programs, again improving the airline choices available to the region's air travelers. By: York County, James McReynolds
March 25, 2005 The City of Macon is investing $4.5 million in terminal modernization; we are working to establish a ticket bank fund to attract a second air carrier and bring fares back in line. Our present users value the convenience and proximity of our airport, especially since 9/11, but many others have had bad experiences with cancelled and delayed flights. Talks with US Airways, which serves the majority of our top destinations, have been encouraging, but our high leakage is an obstacle. With the help of a $507,691 Small Community Air Service Development Pilot Program grant, the City of Macon and our public and private partners will conduct an intensive eight‑month marketing campaign to turn around the image of the Middle Georgia Regional Airport, bring our customers back, and reduce airfares to ensure sustainability of the Small Community Air Service Development Pilot Program project. By: Jack Ellis, Mayor
March 25, 2005 Re: Letter from Hertz in Support of Columbia Pacific Airline's Grant We write to support Columbia Pacific Airline's application for a grant to enable them to restore air service to our area. Our communities on the North Oregon and South Washington coast have a population of about 50,000, who are quite isolated. We are not on the way to anywhere. We are not near the Interstate system or on a passenger railroad. Bus service is limited to one daily arrival. By: Robert Lovell
March 25, 2005 Re: Northwest Airlines Letter of Support for Marshall, MN Northwest Airlines' commitment to provide air service hinges on full funding and implementation of the applicant's complete Action Plan by all parties, including execution of a mutually agreed Air Service Development Agreement. It is our understanding that grant offers will be made on or before September 30, 2005. If the federal government does not make a grant offer to the City of Marshall (MN) on or before that date, Northwest Airlines, at its discretion, is under no obligation to provide the air service described in the referenced grant application. Further, given the volatile nature of the airline industry, Northwest Airlines reserves the right to amend or withdraw its support for the proposed service as dictated by circumstances. By: Northwest, Matthew Friebe, Director, North America Schedule Planning
April 4, 2005 Re: Heartland Aviation Letter in Support for Gogebic-Iron County Airport We would like to submit this letter of support for the grant application for Gogebic-Iron County Airport. Currently, Heartland Aviation uses this airport for our business. We fly into Gogebic-Iron five days a week with our Cessna 310 to pick up freight. It is invaluable to our business to have this airport open and available for any and all of our aviation needs. Not only do we view this airport an important part for our business, but for the community as well. It is important that the Gogebic-Iron County Airport be funded properly in order to keep up with continuing growth and future expansion. By: Heartland Aviation, Stacy Husby
April 14, 2005 Application of The City of Palm Springs, California The goal of this program is to stimulate additional demand at the Palm Springs International Airport and make all service more attractive to all travelers, both business and leisure, locals and visitors. The funds being requested will allow for the continued success of the air service program. In addition to a revenue guarantee for seasonal New York City service, marketing support for year-round Oakland, San Jose, and Seattle service is also requested. Finally, the Airport's ability to expand its boundaries/coverage through local advertising is limited. With the requested advertising funds, the advertising program would be expanded to include communities to the west of our area, all rapidly growing in population and residential construction. Improving accessibility to the National air transportation system would encourage additional customer use, and serve as a catalyst for decreasing existing leakage. By stimulating new demand for the Palm Springs area, it is our intention that the airlines currently serving Palm Springs International Airport would increase capacity, add destinations, and use larger equipment when and where possible. By: Palm Springs International Airport, Richard Walsh, Director of Aviation
April 11, 2005 Proposal of Bradford Regional Airport Authority (PA) The Bradford Regional Airport armed with a new carrier Colgan Air dba US Airways Express which in a short time has significantly improved air service by providing a larger aircraft (Saab 341)) offering more competitive airfares better schedule and has even added an additional 4th flight Colgan Air has begun an aggressive marketing campaign to introduce the new air service and rejuvenate the entire region to "Fly Bradford" The Bradford Regional Airport is seeking a Grant to continue the marketing efforts increase enplanements and return to the pre 9/11 enplanement levels. By: Bradford Regional Airport, Thomas Frungillo
April 19, 2005 Proposal of Montrose Regional Airport (CO) The Montrose and Telluride communities are extremely dependent upon adequate and cost‑effective air travel. Both communities are fueled by tourism, and with the closest major city more than a five‑hour drive away, the Montrose Regional Airport is the primary gateway for destination jet traffic. According to an article in the Telluride Daily Planet the ski resort heavily relies on the airline guarantees to bring skiers into the area. Telluride Ski and Golf Company's vicepresident of sales and marketing pointed "to the airline guarantee program as one of the key cogs that keep the ski area running. 'We're 20 percent up over last year in terms of inbound seats sold,' {Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Telluride Ski and Golf Ken] Stone said. 'Without that, we'd be on an island here.' All those visitors helped fill up the area's hotels, condos and other lodging establishments," according to the article by Reilly Capps entitled "Lots of snow brings in lots of tourists." By: Montrose Regional Airport, Scott Brownlee
April 20, 2005 Eagle County is in a unique position in that it has proven it can, through effective marketing, grow its summer air service and elevate new flights to self‑sustainability within one to two summer seasons. Eagle County wishes to continue to grow its summer flight program through matching partnership and federal grant funds to attract new summer service to Houston, on Continental, and to Minneapolis, on Northwest. Eagle County is so confident it can raise the planned flights to self‑sustainability, that it is requesting very little revenue guarantee dollars, rather marketing dollars. The summer flight program brings in B‑757 service to EGE and in the last two years its success has been measured as a booster to the local economy through increased retail and restaurant sales and the creation of more local jobs. Eagle County has grown into a year‑round resort area. It began as a winter attraction, but the explosion of facilities for summer activities has bolstered the community to a new level, as a yearround, world‑class resort. The one hole that remains for this resort, destination community is adequate summer air‑service. It has been shown that guests that reached the community through the Eagle County Airport in all seasons spend on average the largest portions of money throughout the community during their visit. Eagle County has the ability, need, and desire to provide year‑round sustainability to its local population. Investment in summer recreational facilities has already taken place. The final step is to get the destination guests to Eagle County. By: Eagle County, Jack Ingstad, eagleadmin@eaglecounty.us
April 20, 2005 Proposal of MBS International Airport - Midland, Bay County, and Saginaw (MI) Air service at MBS International is in a slow but steady decline. Two network carriers (Continental and US Airways) have left the market in the past three years, leaving only Northwest and United Airlines providing service to the airport. Both of these carriers face challenges that may impact MBS International. United sits in Chapter 11 and its Chicago O'Hare hub has had tight slot controls re‑imposed due to air traffic congestion issues. Most Northwest service at MBS is provided with DC9 equipment and recent fuel price spikes have caused Northwest to announce the retirement of 19% of this fleet type in the next six months. MBS International Airport is requesting a grant of $500,000. The community will match this grant with $100,000 in local funds, resulting in a total of $600,000 available to pursue this goal. Grant funds and matching local funds will be used to recruit and support, via financial risk abatement, new air service at MBS International. By: MBS International Airport, Jeff Nagel, 989-695-5555
April 18, 2005 Proposal of Cherry Capital Airport (MI) The intent of the grant is to attract permanent, year‑round jet service to the Delta Air Lines hub at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG). This service is vital to the continued economic growth of the entire northwestern section of Michigan's Lower Peninsula. The Grand Traverse region of Michigan has traditionally been a highly seasonal air service market. In the past ten years, however, it has evolved into a strong, year‑round economy. The Airport and the Community have determined that the service levels offered by the Delta hub at CVG will engender additional competition, lower fares, and provide much‑needed additional connectivity to points in the Southeast, Deep South, and Southwest. By: Cherry Capital Airport, Stephen Cassens
April 20, 2005 Proposal of Jackson Municipal Airport Authority/Jackson-Evers International Airport (MS) The challenge facing the Jackson Municipal Airport Authority is clear. To reverse traffic leakage, preserve current air service, and generate traffic growth that results in expanded, competitive air service, a greater awareness in the community of the breadth of service and lowfares available at JAN must be achieved. To achieve this objective, the Authority is seeking a Small Community Air Service Development grant in the amount of $300,000 to be matched with $50,000 in cash from the community, for total funding amount of $350,000. These funds will be utilized to implement an aggressive and unique marketing program that communicates with the population of the primary service area the quality and quantity of scheduled airline service available at Jackson-Evers International Airport. By: Jackson-Evers International, Dirk Vanderleest
April 1, 2005 Proposal of Aberdeen Regional Airport (SD) Aberdeen Regional Airport seeks to increase enplanements at the local airport through the addition of regional jet equipment in exchange of turboprop equipment to/from Minneapolis. Exchanges would be pursued one at a time with the goal of eventually replacing a majority of the schedule with regional jets as demand warranted. In addition, the community seeks to lower business‑class airfares between Aberdeen and Minneapolis to encourage the use of air travel rather than individual transportation. The Airport proposes to accomplish these goals with an integrated program of advertising/marketing, block purchase agreements and revenue guarantees. By: City of Aberdeen, Mike Leven
April 19, 2005 Proposal of Roanoke Regional Airport Commission (VA) Seeking a grant in the amount of $750,000 to be used as a portion of a revenue guarantee necessary to acquire non-stop service to Newark and Orlando. This service would help to alleviate a major deficiency in air service, represented by a lack of capacity and adequate access to support the population of the region, as well as a lack of pricing discipline in the Roanoke market, all of which encourage more than 30% of Roanoke's passengers to fly from other airports. By: Roanoke Regional Airport, Jacqueline Schuck / City of Roanoke Darlene Burcham
April 22, 2005 Proposal of Modesto City-County Airport - Modesto (CA) With a population of over 1.2 million in the Modesto and surrounding areas served by the Modesto City‑County Airport, four flights per day to San Francisco International Airport on 30‑seat turboprop aircraft falls far short of providing the air service needed by the community. The proposed Horizon Air nonstop service to Los Angeles in 74‑seat aircraft is a major first step in alleviating the service and airfare issues in the market. To actively pursue air service improvements at Modesto City‑County Airport, the Airport, City of Modesto, Stanislaus County, the Modesto Chamber of Commerce, and the Stanislaus County Economic Development and Workforce Alliance have formed a public‑private partnership. By: Michael Musca, Airport Manager
April 21, 2005 Proposal of San Joaquin Council of Government's (CA) The San Joaquin Council of Government, the SAN JOAQUIN California Airports Coalition, and private organizations in smaller communities in California have formed a public‑private partnership for the purpose of accomplishing the project goal of implementing the California Regional Air Service Plan to: 1. Improve air service to a broad cross section of California's traveling community 2. Mitigate the need to drive long distances to access air service 3. Improve and or create intrastate air links between smaller California communities and larger cities within California 4. Provide improved access to the national air transportation system for these California communities. By: San Joaquin Council of Governments, Steve Dial, 209-468-3913, sdial@sjcog.org
April 20, 2005 Proposal of The Eastern Iowa Airport - Cedar Rapids (IA) Undertake a comprehensive commercial air service study of data to determine which CID markets are the most underserved and to identify gaps and opportunities for enhanced or new service. The study will analyze airfares at CID to identify airfares ‑ that are out of line with competing airports to identify the magnitude of the problem and the destinations involved. After the data collection is completed, a final report and analysis will be completed to provide an air service action plan for the ‑ Commission. State Grant funds, Cedar Rapids Chamber of Commerce funds, and Commission funds will support the cost of the air service study to be completed by the Commission's air service consultant. Obtain air service via a LCC to a new hub to one of CID's largest unserved destinations as determined in the air service study. Grant funds would be used to ‑ defray operational costs associated with service startup. Commission funds will provide marketing support of the new service. In‑kind services from the Commission in landing fees and rental reductions will be provided to the new LCC, ‑ as well as in‑kind services from the private sector in marketing support and the community travel fund. By: Lawrence Mullencore, Airport Director
April 21, 2005 Proposal of Idaho Falls Regional Airport - Idaho Falls (ID) As the largest airport serving the largest community in eastern Idaho, as well as a low‑cost, low‑hassle alternative for accessing Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, the investment in competitive service will improve air service access for an entire region, as well as visitors from throughout the world. While served by two airlines, Horizon serves Boise and Skywest/Delta serves Salt Lake City. These two markets allows for limited access to other parts of the country, leaving the majority of city pairs with no competitive service. The airport is proposing to use this grant money to encourage competitive service to a Midwestern and/or southeastern hub. With additional airline service, the airport believes that passenger enplanements will increase dramatically, as seats are added, competition ensures and fares are lowered. By: Michael Humberd, Director of Aviation
April 21, 2005 Proposal of Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport - Springfield (IL) The Springfield Airport Authority has identified an innovative solution to retain and expand the rank of airlines offered at the airport. By taking over the day to day responsibility of running the airlines' operations at Springfield, the Airport Authority will be able to lower station costs for its incumbent airlines, better attract additional airlines and stabilize and regulate the customer service experience passengers have when using the airport. The Airport Authority has strongly believed in this innovative approach to developing air service for a number of years. Consequently, this is the second time in three years we have applied for a grant for these purposes. This application is the first step of our airline recruitment process. As we are able to lower the costs and provide exceptional customer service, the Springfield Airport Authority and the Springfield ‑ Sangamon County Economic Development Corporation are prepared to move on to step 2, providing sizable incentives (low 7 figures) for new entrant carriers in the form of startup assistance, advertising/marketing and revenue guarantees. We are prepared to offer these incentives from local funds only and two prospective airlines that we have discussed new service with expressed enthusiastic support for this concept and application. Both airlines have indicated that they will provide letters of support. The Regional Airline Association, which represents the carriers that normally serve small airports, has also reviewed and endorsed our proposal. By: Eric Frankl, Executive Director Springfield Airport Authority
April 21, 2005 Proposal of Decatur Airport and Quincy Municipal Airport - Decatur Park/Quincy (IL) Our consortium proposal is targeting air service into Chicago Midway airport. This airport has room for growth and all of Central Illinois is currently without service to the low-fare air carriers out of Midway. The Decatur/Quincy consortium proposal eliminates this gap and sets the example - for future design of air service in downstate Illinois. The proposed flights from Decatur and Quincy to Midway should serve to enhance air service to our respective communities, should do likewise for all of Central Illinois, and then go on to enhance air service for parts of Missouri and even Iowa By: Gene Marcinkowski, Airport Director
April 20, 2005 Proposal of Quad City International Airport (IL) Air service is the key to economic development and the Quad City International Airport has been very successful in the past with increasing passenger loads and additional hub access. However, this region is lacking connections to the west, and Frontier Airlines has been targeted to provide the service level needed to make the routes profitable. By: Bruce Carter, Metropolitan Airport Authority of Rock Island County
April 21, 2005 Proposal of Gary/Chicago International Airport Authority (IN) The Gary/Chicago International Airport proposes to use grant funds to recruit and support network Air Carrier service, specifically Delta regional jet service to Cincinnati. Gary/Chicago is a logical Reliever airport for the Chicago metro area and its development will aid reduction of congestion at Chicago Midway and O'Hare. The airport is also perfectly located to provide effective air service for The immediate Gary and Northwest Indiana area The airport has a state‑of‑the‑art terminal building and New air service would have an inter‑modal link to a nearby South Shore Commuter Rail station. By: Paul Karas, Airport Director
April 5, 2005 Proposal of City of Somerset (KY) Although our study work examined three primary scenarios for Somerset airline service: Nashville, Cincinnati, and Louisville service, only one is considered in this proposal - service to Cincinnati via RegionsAir. Potential gateway hubs should have non-stop service to final destinations. In this regard, the desire of Somerset passengers is for one-stop service to final destinations. This profile, for example, rules out Lexington, KY as a gateway hub since most Somerset passengers would have two stops/connections prior to their final destination. RegionsAir has a codeshare agreement with American Airlines in the St. Louis market. For Cincinnati, RegionsAir would use an interline agreement with Delta to provide seamless baggage handling and joint‑fare tickets. Cincinnati enjoys the advantage of being a major Delta hub, with service to over 120 markets. By: J.P. Wiles, Mayor of Somerset, KY
April 21, 2005 Proposal of Barkley Regional Airport - Paducah (KY) The purpose of this grant application is to request risk abatement funds to support either Delta Connection service to Cincinnati or Northwest Airlink service to Detroit. Service to a large connecting hub such as Cincinnati or Detroit is urgently needed to compensate for a substantial decline in hub connections available via St. Louis, one of Paducah's two existing gateways. In November of 2003 American Airlines largely dismantled its connecting hub operation at St. Louis. As a result, Paducah lost hundreds of daily city pair connections. By: Richard Roof, Airport Manager
April 21, 2005 Proposal of Alexandria International Airport (LA) Alexandria International Airport seeks to increase enplanements at the local airport through the addition of regional jet equipment in exchange of turboprop equipment to/from Memphis. Exchanges would be pursued one at a time with the goal of replacing the entire Memphis schedule with regional jets. As they are the most heavily used by the area's business community, the first flight replaced would be the early AM departure and the late PM arrival. The Airport proposes to accomplish these goals with a revenue guarantee program. In order to promote the new service and to re‑brand Alexandria International Airport as "All‑Jet" a twelve month advertising campaign will commence throughout the region. By: England Alexandria Airpark, Jon Grafton, 318-449-3506, mail@englandairpark.org
April 21, 2005 Proposal of City of Marshall (MN) This application is unique. Marshall, a small, rural community without air service, has been working for two years to secure air service to this underserved region of southwestern Minnesota. It has been a community wide effort. The business community and Schwan Food Company, a billion dollar international corporation headquartered in Marshall, have partnered with city officials to secure the commitment of Northwest Airlines. Together, we have put together a creative multi-part incentive package that guaranties the success of this important air service initiative. Funding this grant application is the last piece of the incentive package. By: City of Marshall, Glenn Olson
April 20, 2005 Proposal of Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport (MS) The Gulfport‑Biloxi International Airport is requesting $750,000 to successfully recruit and build air service to CVG The new service will enable business and leisure markets to grow the economic base on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. By: Bruce Frallic, Executive Director Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport
April 21, 2005 Proposal of Great Falls International Airport Authority (MT) While the Great Falls International Airport currently has relatively strong air service for a community if its size, the airport does not capture a reasonable share of inbound visitors. Many visitors to the region use other Montana airports as their gateway or an airport in another state, such Boise or Spokane. This results in a more challenging environment when the Great Falls International Airport seeks to have incumbent carriers expand frequencies and/or capacity, or attract new market entrants. The goal of this program is to support existing service at GTF through increased enpianements which, in turn, will encourage incumbent carriers to increase service and/or new‑entrants to consider adding Great Falls to their route map. Better air service will aid the region in preserving its economic base, recruiting new business and industry, and improving local tourism. By: Great Falls International Airport Authority, Cynthia Schults, 406-727-3404
April 22, 2005 Proposal of Pitt-Greenville Airport Authority - Greenville, NC The goals of this project are to improve air service to a broad section of the community, reduce the need to drive to Raleigh Durham International Airport to access acceptable air service, and provide better overall access to the national air transportation system. To involve our community in this important initiative, the Pitt‑Greenville Airport Authority, the City of Greenville, the Pitt County Development Commission, and the Pitt County Committee of 100 have formed a public‑private partnership. By: James Turcotte, Airport Manager
April 21, 2005 Proposal of Hector International Airport - Fargo ND The Fargo area lacks low‑fare air service. The Fargo Proposal seeks funds under the Small Community Air Service Development Program to add non‑stop flights on America West Express (operated by Mesa Airlines) to its Phoenix hub, Fargo requests federal matching money to be used to offset start‑up costs, promote the service via an advertising and marketing campaign and provide for a revenue guarantee. The Municipal Airport Authority believes, with the help of grant money at the beginning of service, the flights will become self‑sufficient within a year of commencement of operations. By: Shawn Dobberstein, Executive Director Hector International Airport
April 21, 2005 Proposal of Western Nebraska Regional Airport (NE) Western Nebraska Regional Airport is the third busiest airport in the state of Nebraska, second only to Omaha and Lincoln. We are a progressive forward thinking board that is doing everything possible to improve the airport from a safety standpoint and improve boarding's allowing us the benefit of AlP funding each year. We are in the midst of building a $4.2 million dollar airport terminal, which will be completed in October 2005, which will give us the most modern and up to date facilities in the state of Nebraska. We feel that a full blown marketing program will allow us to get the information we need on what we have to offer to the traveling public. In trial advertising promotions, we have found boarding's to have increased by up to 20%. By: Donald Overman, Chairman of The Airport Authority Board of the County of Scotts Bluff
April 21, 2005 Proposal of South Jersey Transportation Authority (NJ) Atlantic City International has, in effect, two air service deficiencies that this grant will be instrumental in resolving. The first is the need for additional air service access to keep the resort industry, on which thousands of jobs depend, competitive with other destinations. The second is air service to meet the growing population along the Jersey Coast, which has relatively poor air service alternatives, i.e., very long and expensive drives to Newark or Philadelphia. As of 2004, another major challenge arose for ACY. Southwest Airlines initiated service into Philadelphia. This low‑fare service is a substantial cause of leakage from the core ACY service area. While the Airport understands that this situation cannot be fully reversed, the fact remains that the need for more consumer options at ACY is now even more critical. The proposed Delta service to ATL will be important to achieve this end. We are pleased to advise the Department that the Authority has had discussions with Delta Air Lines regarding this application, and has received their support. The Authority has a clear, workable plan to implement and support the service, and it has a carrier interested in flying the route. The only component missing is the risk‑offset, which this grant will provide. By: James Iannone, South Jersey Transportation Authority
April 20, 2005 Re: Proposal of Toledo Express Airport (OH) - Part I The Air Service Coalition is again applying for federal funds available through the Small Community Air Service Development Pilot Program. If awarded, funds will support a revenue guarantee for Delta Connection's non‑stop service between Toledo Express Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport. This opportunity is supported by detailed traffic and revenue projections, and a commitment by the airline targeted to serve the route. If secured, this service will better enable Toledo retain local passengers and stimulate traffic, resulting in additional investment and economic growth. By: Paul Toth, Director of Airports
April 21, 2005 Proposal of Lawton/Ft Sill Regional Airport (OK) Lawton is home to both Fort Sill and Altus Air Force Base. As you would expect, activity at these two bases has increased dramatically the past couple of years. As military activity has grown, it has been reflected in overall economic activity throughout the region. Lawton/Ft. Sill Regional Airport is the closest airport to both Fort Sill and Altus Air Force Base, but with only one air carrier serving the market to a single destination, 70 percent of Lawton's air travel market is diverting to larger competing airports. In short, our service is over priced and we do not have the capacity needed to destinations in the eastern U.S. The situation is so acute that the military is transporting personnel from Lawton by bus to competing airports. Delta Air Lines has partnered with us on this effort and is committed to implementing the program detailed in the attached application. By: Lawton/Ft Sill Regional Airport, Barbara Whittington, 580-353-4869, manager@flylawton.com
April 21, 2005 Proposal of Oregon Department of Aviation - Salem (OR) The Northwest Regional Air Service Initiative is a consortium of the Oregon Airport Management Association, Washington Airport Management Association, Oregon Department of Aviation, and the Washington Department of Transportation ‑ Aeronautics Division. The Oregon Department of Aviation, the application sponsor, is requesting $180,570 in federal funding to create a unique self‑help air service development program in Oregon and Washington. The project goals include improving air service to a broad section of the traveling public in Oregon and Washington, provide better access to the national air transportation system, and engage and assist smaller communities in Oregon and Washington in finding solutions to regional air service issues. By: Robert Hidley, Director Oregon Department of Aviation, 503-378-8689, robert.hidley@state.or.us
April 20, 2005 Proposal of Florence Regional Airport (SC) The Florence Regional Airport District respectfully submits the attached proposal that if approved, will allow us to mount an aggressive marketing campaign in order to reshape our image of an overpriced and underserved airport. With the addition of a marketing specialist and assistant, we will endeavor to reach out to the ten counties within a 50‑mile service area. Through the use of funds specifically directed at various market segments, we will initiate a "campaign blitz" for the twelve months of a thirty‑six month time line. The remaining twenty‑four months will be used to bombard specific markets such as golfing, leisure and business. Additionally, we are keenly interested in securing another carrier that would enhance flight availability and challenge our incumbent carriers to provide better services and more reasonable fares. If we are successful in securing an additional carrier, a heavily promoted and highly successful launch is critical; therefore, funding is essential to future growth, development and economic improvement. By: E. Nettles, Jr., Chairman Pee Dee Regional airport Authority
April 21, 2005 Proposal of San Angelo Regional Airport (TX) This application proposes a 36‑month project to build a sustainable new air service to the American west. The project starts with a ninety‑day Route Feasibility Study to identify the airline I destination combination with the highest likelihood for success. The airline recruitment phase will be augmented by a two‑year incentive package offering revenue guarantees and operating cost offsets. The proposal also includes a marketing plan to kick‑off the new air service and ensures long‑term sustainability. The project seeks to acquire as a minimum, 34‑seat turboprop service to El Paso and as a maximum, 50‑seat regional jet service to Tucson or Phoenix. The timeline calls for launching new air service by the 12th month of project. A marketing program will strengthen the long‑term sustainabiity of the new air service. By: Craig Williams, San Angelo Regional Airport
April 22, 2005 Proposal of Cedar City Regional Airport (UT) The Cedar City Regional Airport is struggling to stem the loss of passenger traffic. Many passengers generated in the airport's catchment area now use other airports, particularly Salt Lake City, Utah, St. George, Utah, and Las Vegas, Nevada. Surveys have shown that potential passengers perceive that the fares are high and that the other airports have better flight frequency and connections. Because of this perception, price sensitive and leisure customers will drive the long distance to use other air service. By: Gerald Sherratt, Cedar City Mayor
April 22, 2005 Proposal of Mobile Airport Authority (AL) On June 9, 2005, American Eagle Airlines will launch new twice daily non-stop regional jet service between Mobile, Alabama and Dallas/Ft. Worth Airport and join US Airways under the program. Station Services was a determining factor in their decision to serve Mobile. The program provides American Eagle with a fully staffed, equipped and trained airport station operated by the Airport Authority for a substantially lower overall cost than if they operated their own station. The program eliminates almost all station start-up costs and more than 30% of operating expenses. The Mobile Regional Airport is faced with similar challenges of other small airports; high fares, inadequate service and intense competition with surrouding airports. In an effort to differentiate Mobile, the Airport Authority has created the Station Services Program. This unique program eliminates a substantial portion of the start-up costs that airlines incur when adding new service. Station Services provides airlines with complete support to begin new service. Airport staffs, equips, owns and operates the local airline station, charging the airline for its use of facilities and personnel. The airline pays a per-turn (one arrival and departure) fee for personnel thus paying only as air service succeeds. By: G Bay Haas, Executive Director
April 22, 2005 Proposal of Stockton Metropolitan Airport - Stockton (CA) The Airport will use the America West experience on which to build a new program that will be successful in the long term. Surveys done by the Airport during the period when America West operated to Phoenix revealed a number of consumer-driven concerns regarding the service. the objective of this grant will be to recruit service to the LA Basin, preferably to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), with at least three daily flights on regional jet or turboprop equipment. Service to LAX would provide Stockton travelers with access to the Los Angeles Basin as well as a host of connecting opportunities to both the domestic and global air transportation systems. By: Barry Rondinella, Airport Director
April 22, 2005 Proposal of Durango/La Plata County Airport (CO) the region's main air service deficiency is lack of adequate capacity and frequency of flights to and from the Eastern US. Also recognizing this deficiency is Continental Airlines, which has expressed strong interest in implementing service to the carrier's hub at Houston Intercontinental Airport. To this end, the City has received a letter of strong support for this application from the carrier. A secondary and corollary benefit of this new service will be to relieve pressure on the current United Express service to Denver, where flights are at capacity. The majority of the combined funding will be used as a revenue‑guarantee to reduce the financial risk for the carrier in entering a new market. The City and Airport envision this program to be one that assures only that the airline meets pre‑determined, reasonable revenue generation with the service. The funding is based solely on this mechanism, and if the revenue targets are met, no funding will be due. By: Bobby Lieb, Executive Director
April 22, 2005 Proposal of Intrastate Consortium - Gunnison (CO) The overall goal of this project is to develop and expand a consistent year round air service program that is competitive and affordable to the community and provides the nexus required to assist in expanding our tourism economy. The most important feature of this project is the expansion of service to hub cities with multiple airlines. The current situation allows for very little competition - especially in the non-winter months. This project includes identification of appropriate markets, negotiating with various airlines for service to their hubs, and development of an appropriate marketing program to insure success of the overall air program. A major component of this project is to increase the opportunity for competition in the market by providing incentives to major airlines which do not currently serve our market to begin service to GUC and to ensure that those airlines who currently serve our market continue to do so. This project will provide minimum revenue guarantees and funds to market the flights. By: John DeVore
April 21, 2005 Proposal of City of Naples Airport Authority (FL) The Naples Municipal Airport is currently service by one year-round commercial carrier. Delta Connection operated by Atlantic Southeast Airlines started CRJ 200 service to Atlanta on November 14, 2004. This service was a direct result of the strategy - contained in our 2004 SCASDP application. Grant funding will assist the airport in accomplishing the revenue guarantee, if required. Since ASA's service launch, the carrier has enjoyed load factors exceeding 80 percent and very high yields. The airport also has seasonal (six months) service provided by Cape Air to Key West and Miami. The Authority and the community as a whole learned a valuable lesson in April 2001, when American Eagle withdrew service from our community. The Miami market served by American Eagle, our major carrier, yielded a seventy percent load factor and two ‑ thirds of the airport's uplift capacity, and serviced 80,000 passengers annually. USAir Express ended its service to Tampa and Cape Air ended its service to Key West, both in June 2003. Cape Air returned in the fall of 2003 with limited seasonal service and has maintained its seasonal status in 2004/2005. By: Theodore Soliday, Executive Director
April 22, 2005 Proposal of Okaloosa Regional Airport - Eglin, FL The significant military presence in our market area makes convenientand cost effective travel to and from the greater Washington DC Metropolitan Area essential. Included in ourtopfifteen origination and destination markets are Washington National (4th), Baltimore (13th), and Washington Dulles (14th). Okaloosa Regional Airport currently has no non-stop or single plane service to any of these destinations. We propose to use funds obtained from the Small Community Air Service Development Program to obtain service by Independence Air to Washington Dulles. This service would provide our airport and our market area with non-stop service to the Baltimore-Washington area, and it would reduce our current one way average fare for travel to and from these strategic markets. By: Jerry Sealy, Airport Director, 850-651-7160
April 20, 2005 Proposal of Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (GA) The goal of this program, which is consistent with the legislation, is to stimulate new demand at the SavannaWHilton Head International Airport (SAV) by appealing to leisure and business travelers through effective advertising and marketing in the major markets that traditionally support both Savannah and Hilton Head Island. By stimulating new demand for both Savannah and Hilton Head Island, it is our intention that the airlines that serve Savannah would increase capacity, add destinations and utilize larger equipment. If awarded this grant, the Airport would be able to offer the airlines operating into the SavannahMilton Head Island a unique incentive, no station costs. The Airport would be able to deeply discount start up costs or waive the costs for an extended period. Although only a few U.S. airports have implemented a similar program, most major European airports offered these services to other airlines for years. By: Patrick Graham, Executive Director
April 22, 2005 Proposal of Peoria Regional Airport - Peoria (IL) Our goal with this grant application is to initiate westbound air service to Denver, Salt Lake City or Phoenix and initiate eastbound air service to Detroit, Cincinnati, New York or Washington DC. The monies from this grant application award and our community supported funds will be used for the solicitation, establishment and ongoing support of these proposed air services from Peoria and Central Illinois. Historically, seats have fluctuated greatly in the Peoria market. Because of this constant fluctuation of seating capacity, passenger traffic, until recently, has suffered. In 2003, GPRA lost significant air service and passengers. Greater Peoria Regional Airport lost two non-stop destinations, Northwest service to Detroit and United service to Denver. In addition, American Connection reduced its St. Louis service from 9 daily flights to 3 daily flights. In 2003, the total passenger traffic was 13% less than 2002 levels. This reduction is consistent with Department of Transportation Inspector General 2002 findings that non-hub airports have experienced a greater loss of direct service than large or small hubs. By: Solomon Balraj, Airport Director
April 22, 2005 Proposal of Bowling Green - Warren County Regional Airport (KY) Does not have commercial passenger service. The proposed study would research the demand for passenger service within the south central Kentucky region. Our ultimate goal upon completion of this study is to develop a marketing strategy for attractins commercial passenqer service to the Bowling Green and Warren County area. By: Robert Barnett, Airport Manager, 270-842-1101, rgbarnettj@aol.com
April 21, 2005 Proposal of Shreveport Airport Authority (LA) The following proposal contains a request for assistance in the establishment of service to the Western United States. This proposal is based on recommendations and support the Shreveport Airport Authority has received fiom many community leaders and residents. Because Shreveport Regional Airport serves consumers throughout East Texas, Northwest Louisiana, and Southwest Arkansas, each expansion of airline service benefits a three-state region. changes that have continued to plaque the airline industry since 2001 have significantly affected the region served by Shreveport Regional Airport . Reductions in service in 2004 by US Airways and again in 2005 by Delta Air Lines have created the need for additional flights and connections to cities in the Western United States. By: Ted Roberts, Chairman
April 21, 2005 Proposal of Bangor International Airport (ME) The attached proposal is designed to enable the Airport to attract new, sustainable air service through marketing incentives. By using funds pledged by our community partners to leverage and maximize federal dollars, in addition to dedicated Airport marketing funds, Bangor will be better positioned to attract competitively priced jet service. Funding available under the Small Community Air Service Development Program would be a significant enhancement to our existing program, thereby ensuring the continuation of BGR’s viability. For small, non-hub regional airports, connectivity is the lifeblood of economic competitiveness. BGR serves a region dependent upon connectivity. At present the airport lacks connectivity to Washington, D.C., Atlanta and Pittsburgh. Lack of non-stop service to hubs and connectivity hinders the Bangor region’s economic growth. By: Rebecca Hupp, Airport Director
April 22, 2005 Proposal of Knox County Islands - Rockland (ME) The existing air service was born of necessity and a true desire to provide a required service. This is, without exaggerating, the most unique air service in the lower 48, Continental United States. Since December 2004, Waters Aero-Marine Incorporated, dba Penobscot Island Air (PIA) has been flying cargo and passengers between eight (8) island airfields and various coastal Maine destinations. The previous service provider, without warning, ceased flight operations, leaving island residents without routine or emergency air access to the mainland. The fired pilots immediately began flying, without fee, critical cargo and medical emergency flights to support the islands. PIA was formed and FAA certificates were obtained. In January the United States Postal Service awarded PIA a six-month emergency contract to deliver mail to the islands. They have also secured two-year contracts with UPS, FedEx, and DHL to service the islands. By: Jeff Northgraves
April 20, 2005 Proposal of Bishop International Airport - Flint (MI) During the past several years, service at FNT has increased. FNT was, one of the fastest growing airports in the country. For the first time since 9111, service at FNT is on the decline. Since the end of 2004, FNT has lost service and will experience a significant decrease in available seats from various airlines servicing the airport. We are well behind the national average for growth. Unfortunately, our predictions for what would happen to our growth if we did not expand business routes have come to fruition. We lost extremely profitable service from ATA Connection to Chicago‑Midway and Indianapolis due to ATA's bankruptcy filing and the sale of Chicago Express. As you know, once service declines at an airport, business goes elsewhere discouraging those who might have considered new service. It also weakens all service at the airport. This grant would turn this entire picture around, and bring FNT back as an economic catalyst for Michigan. If FNT is unable to add this service within the next six months, it may never happen as the interested carrier will have to focus its resources on other locations. For this reason, FNT's application is extremely important. By: James Rice, Airport Director
April 20, 2005 Proposal of Houghton County Memorial Airport - Calumet (MI) This proposal is intended to return CMX to the standard of air service that was offered spring, 2001. CMX has been negatively affected by changes in the airline industry over the past four years resulting in service levels decaying. This grant will allow the community to address and reverse this situation. In order to approach the 2001 level of service, one additional daily flight, providing nonstop service to Detroit Metro (DTW) would be required. Northwest Airlink, operated by Mesaba Airlines utilizing SAAB 340 aircraft, is the only scheduled air service currently offered at Houghton County Memorial Airport. Mesaba operates three daily nonstop departure and arrival flights to one of Northwest Airline's hubs in Minneapolis Minnesota (MSP). No direct flights continue from CMX beyond the MSP hub, however, a variety of online and interline connecting destinations are available from MSP through various carriers. By: Dennis Hext, Airport Manager
April 21, 2005 Proposal of Capital Region Airport Authority - Lansing (MI) This proposal targets improved air service access to and from Michigan’s capital city, Lansing, and the entire Mid-Michigan region through a newly-formed economic development regional partnership. Traffic and revenue analysis accomplished by CRAA indicates ATL hub service would be highly successful. Although the grant will help mitigate start up costs, proposals to prospective airlines must be sustainable in the long run. Forecast indicates that DL Connection could expect to generate a 71% load factor and 10% operating margin with 2x daily CRJ service. By: Robert Selig, 517-886-3711, Executive Director
April 20, 2005 Proposal of Chisholm-Hibbing Airport Authority (MN) Northwest Anlines has challenged CHAA to promote our airport’s daily service as the local choice for travelers. The requested $485,000 grant, along with a local match of $181,000 cash, will be used over 2 - 3 years to develop and fund a marketing strategy, advertising expenditures, and a community outreach program. This need is critical: daily flights from CHA have dropped from seven to two in recent years, despite a stable population base. In addition, neighboring Grand Rapids (GPZ) lost its scheduled air service over a year ago, while at the same time Ely lost seasonal service. This forces even more people to leave our market. A successful marketing campaign will generate enough traffic to ensure a third flight, and possibly a fourth during the summer. By: Dave Danielson, Executive Director
April 19, 2005 Proposal of Cities of Farmington and Poplar Bluff (MO) Currently the closest available access to a National Air Transportation service is located in St. Louis. Commuters in both cities must either drive their own vehicles to St. Louis or use the Greyhound bus system, or small local cab and shuttle companies. By the time a local commuter drives their own vehicle, pays for gas round trip, pays for long term or short term parking at the St. Louis airport, and taking traffic into consideration, it will be more economical to take an round trip air flight out of either Farmington or Poplar Bluff to reach the St. Louis airport. Only charter flights are available from each of the airports at the present time. There is not scheduled air service from either city. Scheduled air service will aid not only the residents of the two cities, but also travelers in St. Louis who have no choice but to either rent a vehicle or pay a shuttle service to reach either of the cities. By: Margaret Yates, Grant Administrator
April 22, 2005 Proposal of Village of Ruidoso (NM) The overall goal of this project is to support the Amercan Eagle Airlines Dallas/Fort Worth service that will be initiated into Sierra Blanca Regional Airport beginning June 2006. One of the goals of this initial service is to establish a permanent air presence in the DFW market that is affordable to the community that Sierra Blanca Regional Airport serves as well as the DFW market which supports the economy via tourism. The most important feature of this project is the initial service startup from DFW, a major hub city for American Airlines and American Eagle. By: Lorri McKnight, 505-258-4343, lorrimcknight@voruidoso.com
April 22, 2005 Proposal of Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport (NY) During the last year, the Tompkins County community has moved aggressively to improve its air service options. The community successfully negotiated an air service agreement with Northwest Airlines in January and the new service of two daily turboprop flights will commence on May 2,2005. This service will complement the existing 12 daily flights to Tompkins County operated by US Airways. economic growth, Tompkins County must conduct an aggressive and well funded marketing program to build passenger counts to a self-fulfilling level while continuing to move proactively to further diversify air service. Even with the addition of the new Northwest Airlines turbo-prop flights, ITH does not have the critical mass of flights necessary to support convenient and competitive air service. By: Robert Nicholas, Airport Director
April 22, 2005 Proposal of Venango Regional Airport - Franklin/Oil City (PA) The Pittsburgh schedule began to stabilize somewhat in October 2004 and continues to do so as of this date. Franklin’s Air Service Provider, Mesa dba Air Midwest was able to produce a flight schedule adjustment in that fourth quarter of 2004 that better coincided with the new Pittsburgh connecting banks and the result was improved enplanements for the remainder of the year. The service provider further improved the scheduled flight times on April fifth, 2005 and this presents acceptable travel options for the Community. Survival of the weather and resultant operational challenges in the first quarter 2005 is now history and the Franklin Oil City area is positioned for air service growth. By: Otho Bell, Airport Manager
April 21, 2005 Proposal of Williamsport Regional Airport (PA) To secure funding assistance for additional airline service to northcentrat Pennsylvania, the region served by Williamsport Regional Airport. Our market has been served by a single carrier, US Airways Express, for 15 years. High air fares and poor connections to the western United States has lead to substantial passenger leakage from our market area to other airports and airlines, endangering the viability of IPT as a regional asset. We are seeking risk abatement funds for Northwest Airlink service to Detroit, which will serve increase competition, lower fares and provide lower dependence on the current single carrier. This will also help to reverse passenger leakage and secure the role of Williamsport Regional Airport as an economic engine for northcentral Pennsylvania. By: Tom Hart, Airport Director
April 22, 2005 Proposal of Myrtle Beach International Airport (SC) The Myrtle Beach area has grown as a popular vacation destination over the course of the last sixty years. In the state of South Carolina it is the largest beach community, encompassing 60 miles on the shore, and a major factor in making tourism the state's number one business. The area's marketing spending has focused on a regional audience that visits by car, so that as a result, 95% of the visitors arrive by car. Because of the small number of leisure air passengers and the small number of business travelers, airlines do not see as much profit potential for the area as in markets which cater to the business person, who buys higher fares for midweek travel. Therefore, partnerships with airlines to build traffic around new markets or flights have only been sporadic and short‑lived. With more than 70,000 hotel rooms to fill, the challenge falls to the Myrtle Beach area to build awareness of the destination in large metropolitan areas with airlines connecting into the Myrtle Beach area. Therefore, the Myrtle Beach area seeks this grant in order to advertise the great beach destination with convenient airline connections to potential visitors, groups and meetings from underdeveloped and new markets that have large populations. By: Robert Kemp, Director of Airports
April 22, 2005 Proposal of Abilene Regional Airport (TX) Air service to Abilene and its 32-county West Central Texas catchment area, while adversely affected by changes in the airline industry over the past few years, is beginning to rebound. However, while service levels are improving, airfares are still substantively higher than the United States average fare, and passenger leakage is more than 50%. This proposal seeks to improve air service to and from Abilene and its West Central Texas region by requesting funds to conduct air carrier analyses to identify which airlines can best provide enhanced service to a Western U.S. hub airport; start-up cost relief for the carrier; and marketing assistance to support the new service for two years. Abilene is a critical and vital transportation link for the West Central Texas region. By promoting Abilene’s carriers - American Eagle Airlines, and Continental Connection – and their promotional fares, the Airport has been able to successfully stimulate demand and attract passengers from West Central Texas in spite of today’s difficult operating environment. By: Abilene
April 20, 2005 Proposal of City of Killeen (TX) Expand an existing campaign that will market the new KilleenFort Hood Regional Airport with its limited but quality air service and customer convenience for the next fiscal year. Stop passenger leakage through an aggressive marketing campaign to publicize and market Killeen's quality air service at a better dollar value by flying locally rather than driving 150 miles to Dallas/Fort Worth or 80 miles to the Austin Airport. Increase passenger market and customer satisfaction by soliciting the airline industry to develop more direct flights to other hubs connecting to more requested and popular destinations. Currently, Killeen has only two commuter air carriers, American Eagle and Continental Express, providing air service for a large geographical area that includes five Central Texas Counties (Bell, Burnet, Coryell, Lampasas, and Williamson) having a total population of approximately 510,000 people. By: Maureen Jouett, Mayor
April 22, 2005 Proposal of Ogden-Hinckley Airport (UT) The Ogden-Hinckley Airport is currently a general aviation airport serving a primary catchment area of 613,500 people in the northern part of the Wasatch Front. The residents in the airport catchment area are currently utilizing passenger air service at Salt Lake City International Airport. The driving time for residents in the Ogden-Hinckley Airport catchment area to Salt Lake City International Airport can range from forty minutes to two hours in non-rush hour traffic. The Salt Lake City metro market has experienced urban sprawl and large numbers of people and businesses are locating in communities that can be better served by air service at local airports. The leaders of Ogden City believe that the large population of the catchment area of the Ogden-Hinckley Airport can support regional passenger air service to major markets in the west like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Portland, San Diego, Seattle, and Denver. By: Ed Rich, Airport Manager
April 22, 2005 Proposal of Uintah County - Vernal (UT) The proposed study will measure air service deficiencies and traffic loss, while evaluating the effectiveness of the current level of services provided; determine if the current services should be expanded; determine how additional capacity, products, and airport based businesses could be developed to increase levels of service; evaluate the feasibility of expanding services; evaluate ways to justify or reduce high‑fares to the traveling community; and explore methods of increasing essential air service (EAS) enplanements to improve this airport's market position and level of use. The existing Vernal/Uintah County Airport is located at the southeast corner of Vernal, Utah and encompasses approximately 235 acres. It is owned and operated by Uintah County and Vernal City. Three jurisdictions have boundaries abutting or including portions of the airport, including Vernal City, Naples City and Uintah County, The existing airport is classified as a small commercial airport with two flights per day, weekly, and one per day, on weekends, to Salt Lake City, Utah. Most local travelers choose to drive the 360 mile round‑trip between Vernal and Salt Lake City to access the national air transportation system, due to the high cost of flying and the size of aircraft being used for the service. Aside from commercial service, the airport is also used by private business and recreational pilots, agricultural crop dusters, medical life‑flight, search and rescue, U.S. Forest and Bureau of Land Management (BLM), mail delivery services, and student training operations. By: Heather Hoyt, Grants Administrator, 435-790-9311, hhoyt@co.uintah.us.us
April 22, 2005 Proposal of Lynchburg Regional Airport (VA) The intent of the grant is to develop new airline service between the Lynchburg Regional Airport (LYH) and an airline with a multi-directional connecting hub linking Lynchburg with major business destinations located in the Midwest and Northeastern United States. The addition of a northern hub destination would fill an existing void and provide more convenient air service to many domestic and international cities to the north. Advancement of this service is vital to the continued economic growth of Lynchburg and Virginia’s South Central Region. The Lynchburg Regional Airport continues to face a significant shortfall in air service, both in historical terms as well as underserved local air travel demand. The loss of United Express service to Washington D.C. in January 2002 and US Airways service to Pittsburgh in the fall of 2004 has virtually eliminated all effective access to the Northeast. By: Mark Courtney, Airport Director, 434-455-6089
April 22, 2005 Proposal of Newport News - Williamsburg International Airport (VA) The Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport serves over 600.000 residents of Southeast Virginia yet the airport offers service to just nine nonstop markets ‑far less than airports serving cities of comparable size and than other area airports If the region is selected as a grant awardee a carrier will be able to initiate daily nonstop service to anew destination market in the Midwest or Southwest where connections would be available to other Western markets This service will significantly improve the air travel options available to area travelers, lower the cost of air travel shorten current trip‑length and strengthen the airport in a time of industry turmoil Counsel: Weiley Rein, Edward Faberman
April 22, 2005 Proposal of Tri-State Airport/Huntington (WV) For years, Tri-State has been trying to overcome higher fares than each of its regional counterpart airports. More recently, the problem has intensified, with the addition of low fare carriers to neighboring airports and aggressive advertising campaigns being launched by airports with larger marketing budgets. While this community has been extremely active in the pursuit of competitive airfares, it is only recently that we were able to convince our two incumbent carriers, Delta Air Lines and US Airways, that the price differentials between Tri-State and our neighboring airports were dramatic enough to adversely impact the carriers' traffic. As a result of this effort, many of Tri-State's fares have recently become competitive, and this message must be communicated to the passengers in the market area. However, time is of the essence and the airport must move quickly, as the airlines have indicated that they must see a noticeable increase in revenue in order to continue making fare adjustments in our market. By: Larry Salyers, Airport Director
April 21, 2005 Re: Delta Air Lines Letter in Support for Monterey, CA Application We support the Monterey Peninsula Airport’s Air 21 application and ask that you afford them every opportunity to gain funds through this new and unique federal program. The availability of partnership funding through the community and through the federal Air 21 program can certainly make a difference to attract air service. This letter is intended to be an expression of interest only and does not constitute an actual offer by Delta Air Lines to provide air service in the event a grant is awarded. Circumstances impacting new market service decisions are varied and can change rapidly without notice. By: Delta, Scott Yohe
April 21, 2005 Congressional Letters in Support of Eastern Iowa Airport (IA) By: Lawrence Mullendore, Airport Director, 319-362-3131
April 15, 2005 Re: Orrin Hatch letter in Support for Cedar City, UT Application By: Orrin Hatch, Senator
April 4, 2005 Re: Northwest Airlines Letter in Support for Paducah Barkley Regional Airport Application By: Northwest Airline, Mathew Friebe
April 21, 2005 Re: Mesa Airline Letter in Support for Quincy and Decatur, IL Application By: Mesa, Mickey Bowman
April 20, 2005 Proposal of Montgomery Airport Authority (AL) Montgomery Regional Airport seeks a Small Community Air Service Development Grant to improve the economic vitality of the region through the initiation of Northwest Airlink regional jet service to Detroit. The region has experienced recent gains in employment in the automotive industry with the construction of a Hyundai Motors production facility and the establishment of key suppliers with strong ties to the Detroit area. Nonstop service will reduce travel times between the two communities of interest by up to two hours In addition Northwest with its extensive international route network will offer improved connections to Seoul, Korea, which is Hyundai's corporate headquarters location. However, in order to implement new service in the market, the community would like to seek a risk abatement to attract service from Northwest. By: Phil Perry, Executive Director
April 22, 2005 Proposal of City of Fresno Airports (CA) With the assistance of the Grant funds and in conjunction with the Fresno Air Service Development Partnership, the Airport will provide $800,000 towards a revenue guarantee program and $25,000 for marketing with Continental Airlines. This service is a critical component to relieve lack of capacity for the Airport's eastbound market in an otherwise risk‑adverse industry. By: Russell Widmar, Director of Aviation
April 22, 2005 Proposal of Monterey Peninsula Airport District (CA) MRY is a non-hub airport located in one of the country’s most beautiful regions, the Northern California Central Coast. Monterey County’s population has grown from 366,000 to 421,400, or 15% in the last decade and is projected to increase another 20% by 2020, yet MRY has experienced decreasing and stagnant passenger enplanement trends since 1998. MRY has non-stop regional service to Los Angeles, San Francisco and Phoenix, yet it struggles continuously with attracting its local community to utilize the airport. Data obtained through a passenger booking study in late 2004 indicates 73% of local Monterey passengers drive a minimum of 1.5 hours to San Jose, San Francisco and Oakland, all large hub airports in the San Francisco Bay Area, This “ passenger leakage” poses a constant threat to MRY’s air travel market. As a result, MRY’s passenger enplanement and service levels have fallen or remained stagnant since the late 1990’s and particularly during the depressed aviation market in the post 9-11 environment. By: Thomas Greer, General Manager
April 22, 2005 Proposal of Florida Keys Marathon Airport This grant application seeks to address the unique transportation challenges of the Florida Keys The Keys are relatively isolated from the Florida mainland and major airports The Keys have limited Existing air service all most all of which is confined to the terminal and runway constrained Key West International Airport This isolation and limited air service are an obstacle to the growth and development of tourism in the Keys the economic engine of the entire island chain The application proposes to recruit new regional carrier (with major carrier code & brand air service to the Florida Keys Marathon Airport located in the Middle Keys. This new service would supplement existing Key West service and provide significant positive economic benefit for the at" Flonda. Keys large public and private partnership has raised over $290,000 in local funds to support this new service Two Air carners have indicated their interest in starting Marathon service with risk abatement support By: Peter Horton, Director of Airports
April 22, 2005 Proposal of Williamson County Airport Authority (IL) Though we have been able to focus a great deal of resources over the past two years on marketing and promoting the existing service, enplanements for this same period have declined. Considering the service record of Regions Air has remained outstanding during this period of time, it would appear that more and more travelers are experiencing limitations when attempting to travel through St. Louis. More often than not, these limitations seem to center around a lack of connectivity requiring an additional stop through Chicago or Dallas before being able to connect to their final destination. To the business traveler in particular, this inefficiency of travel most certainly can be the deciding factor in utilizing another airport with better connecting opportunities. Though there remains the need to continue to promote and maintain the existing service to St. Louis - efforts which in fact are ongoing - the development of our market to it’s fullest potential will largely be based upon our success in establishing increased service options through securing an additional competitive air carrier. By: Douglas Kimmel, Airport Manager
April 21, 2005 Proposal of Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority (IN) At the present time, travelers from/to Fort Wayne International Airport have air service on five airlines to six hubs - American Eagle/American Connection to Chicago O'Hare, and Dallas-Fort Worth; Continental/Continental Connection to Cleveland; Delta Connection/Comair to Cincinnati and Delta Connection/Atlantic Southeast Airlines to Cincinnati and Atlanta; Northwest/Northwest Airlink to Detroit; United Express/Skywest and Air Wisconsin Airlines to Chicago O'Hare. A trend in the next several months that will benefit Fort Wayne and increase air travel is the expected rebound in the manufacturing sector, particularly the truck and automotive industry which is a major contributor to the area economy. Additional growth industries in the region are the medical and medical technology, electrical and magnet wire and general technology industries. The success of attracting new, non-stop airline service at FWA would result in a more passengers flying from Fort Wayne International Airport. Soon after the commencement of non-stop air service to Atlanta in 1999 and Dallas-Fort Worth in 2000, those destinations moved up in the rankings of Originations and Destinations. Assistance with financing to facilitate these changes will bring positive results for our community and regional travelers. By: Torrance Richardson, Executive Director
April 22, 2005 Proposal of Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport (LA) Our proposal is designed to deliver significant benefits to the Baton Rouge market, specifically the business, educational, and federal training sectors that rely heavily on commercial air service. Our contingency plans include realistic airline alternatives, opportunities for success should community funds and respective federal dollars be below target, and an exit strategy that ensures continuation of service after grant monies expire. In order to specifically obtain lower fares, more competition and nonstop service to new destinations, the Airport will seek (Phase 1) nonstop service by United Airlines to Washington Duiles, with service to Denver (Phase 2) to start 1 year later. The Airport requests $700,000 in Federal funding, and has assembled a total cash contribution of $550,000 and in‑kind contributions of $100,000. Any unforeseen funding shortfall might adversely impact Phase 2, but funds committed are sufficient to implement Phase 1, and United Airlines has expressed support for this initiative (see the letter attached). Should United not begin this service, the Airport will seek service to Washington and Salt Lake City by Delta Air Lines or to Denver by Frontier Airlines. The proposed routes, while profitable in the long term, would entail otherwise prohibitive startup costs, and temporary losses until traffic levels mature. They would not be financially feasible in the current distressed environment, but will require an initial impetus from the community. Their long term profitability assures that the SCASDP will provide lasting benefits for Greater Baton Rouge and the traveling public after the program is finished. By: Anthony Marino, Director of Aviation
April 20, 2005 The Economic Development Corporation of Chippewa County on behalf of Chippewa County International Airport (CIU), providing air service to residents of the Eastern Upper Peninsula (Chippewa, Luce and Mackinac Counties) of Michigan, respectfully makes application hereby for a grant, in the amount of $987,000.00, under the Smell Community Air Service Development Program. Grant funds will be utilized to increase community air service through the addition of a third daily flight, non‑stop, year round, employing Jet aircraft, to Mrs base service schedule toffrom Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW). By: Kathy Noel, President
April 22, 2005 Proposal of Gogebic-Iron County Airport (MI) The Gogebic- Iron County Airport Board, through the County of Gogebic, is submitting this proposal to the Small Community Air Service Development Program, in order to offer an incumbent carrier (Midwest Connect) financial incentives to lower its fares, increase its frequencies, and if possible, add new routes. By: Pat Merill, Director
April 22, 2005 Proposal of Stewart International Airport - Goshen (NY) SWF lost 34% of its capacity with the loss of Southeast Airlines, which served Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando By: Orange County Government
April 22, 2005 Proposal of Town of Massena, NY and St. Lawrence Valley AIR Task Force The air travel needs of the community are not being met by the service that is currently available. US Airways (Mesa Airlines) provides the only commercial service that is available under the Essential Air Service Program. Small turboprop service is provided during weekdays from Massena and nearby Ogdensburg, via Watertown, to Pittsburgh. This service requires multiple stops and connections at Pittsburgh, which is inconvenient and cumbersome to air travelers at best. The efforts of the Task Force to work within the confines of the Essential Air Service Program have been unsuccessful in providing adequate air service for the region. Consequently, the Task Force is redirecting its efforts by recognizing that the service that will be successful for the community is the service that is commercially sustainable. The Town of Massena, as the owner and operator of the Massena International Airport, will do its part to facilitate this result. By: Sandy Cook, Town of Massena
April 21, 2005 Proposal of Bellingham International Airport (WA) Bellingham International Airport (BLI) is owned and operated by the Port of Bellingham and is classified as a commercial service, non‑hub airport, providing scheduled and charter air service to the public. BLI also has General Aviation facilities and services the local community and region. Currently, Horizon Air provides direct service to Seattle (Sea‑Tac) with Dash‑8 200 turboprop aircraft and Allegiant Air flies MD‑80 aircraft to Las Vegas four times per week. San Juan Airlines provides passenger service to island destinations southwest of Bellingham. The future success of the Bellingham International Airport depends upon improving the mix of passenger airline companies serving more destinations and greater access to the national air transportation system. A Small Community Air Service Development Program Grant would provide the necessary funds to implement this proposal. We appreciate your consideration of our proposal and look forward to working with your office. By: James Darling, Executive Director
April 22, 2005 Proposal of Department of Transportation State of Wyoming As an obvious characteristic of Wyoming's small population, our commercial service airports are isolated by great distances to large population centers, hub airports, and discount carriers. Airfares soar at these locations and have been identified as the highest in the Denver Hub region. Current load factors are high and the markets in these communities are situated for growth potential due to the economic and tourism boom occurring throughout most of the state. Wyoming has made a huge commitment to invest in itself during this critical building phase in order to sustain viability during inevitably leaner years. Arguably, the benefits derived from the capture of market share now will situate Wyoming to retain service and need less federal support in subsequent years. The Wyoming Legislature has committed $3.25 million to be administered by the Wyoming Aeronautics Commission to provide funding for airline incentives and revenue guarantees. The critical but missing component to these efforts is marketing. New or improved service must be complimented with extensive promotional and educational efforts in order to insure success. This grant application focuses on an intense marketing campaign consisting of media advertising, public relations, specialty marketing to specific groups, and branding. By: Shelly Reams, Aeronautics Administrator
April 21, 2005 Re: Delta Letter in Support of Roanoke Regional Airport (VA) By: Delta Air Lines, Scott Yohe
April 21, 2005 Re: Delta Letter in Support of Bellingham International Airport - Bellingham WA By: Delta Air Lines, Scott Yohe
April 21, 2005 Re: Western Airlines, Inc. Letter in Support of Bellingham International Airport - Bellingham WA By: Western Airlines, Curt Tronsdal
April 22, 2005 Correction to Proposal of Venango Regional Airport (PA) By: Otho Bell, Airport Manager
April 21, 2005 Re: Delta Letter in Support of Monterey Peninsula Airport (CA) By: Delta, Scott Yohe
April 1, 2005 Re: United Letter in Support of Idaho Falls Regional Airport By: United, David Jehn
April 13, 2005 Re: United Letter in Support of Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport (LA) By: United, David Jehn
April 22, 2005 Proposal of State of North Carolina Department of Transportation Communities in North Carolina are heavily dependent on US Airways for air service. These communities have a great need to market themselves effectively and efficiently to providers of air service in order to ensure continued scheduled air service for their constituents. By forming a Coalition, the communities envision a plan that will provide them with important marketing information about themselves in a format that allows them to communicate effectively with current or prospective providers of air service or access to air service. The Coalition, with the assistance of the State, will work with Air Service Development personnel to create a working document for each member of the consortium. This document, unique to each member of the coalition, shall include all of the important and relevant data and information vital to maintaining, obtaining or improving the scheduled air service for the area. By: William Williams, Director of Aviation
April 22, 2005 Proposal of Wichita Airport Authority The Airport has identified three target carriers. These are Continental Airlines, with service to that carrier's hub at Newark/Liberty International; Delta Air Lines, with service to its international gateway at New York JFK; and United Airlines, which would offer excellent international access through Dulles International, as well as strong connections to other East Coast points. It has been determined that the most desirable target for this funding would be Continental at Newark, and preliminary discussions have been held in this regard. Delta is in close parity as an option and is receptive to considering financial support for new service routes. In particular, the value will be in developing the strong international traffic flows generated by the 787 program to feed traffic to and from the many destinations served by Continental from Newark. The increased service to Asia is of value to Id, as well as to several of the sub‑contractors to Boeing, and which also have strong communities of business interest with Wichita, are located in Japan and China. By: WAA
April 27, 2005 Support for Bishop International Airport Authority - Flint, Michigan On April 20, 2005, Bishop International Airport submitted an application to the Department of Transportation for a grant under thee Small Community Air Service Development Program to support critical new air service to the East Coast. As can be seen by the attached communications, the community fully supports the FNT proposal and is anxious to obtain the east coast service that would be supported by the Department's grant of the funding requested in FNT's application. By: BIAA, James Rice, 810-235-6560
April 22, 2005 Proposal of Brunswick Golden Isles (GA) Air service at Brunswick Golden Isles Airport does not meet the needs of our community. For more than 15 years, air service has been limited to service by one carrier (Delta Air Lines) to one destination (Atlanta). Inadequate capacity and high fares in many BQK markets have resulted in the majority of air travellers to and from Brunswick and the Golden Isles deciding to use lower-fare services and greater service options available at Jacksonville and Savannah. The Partnership achieved a notable success in its efforts to secure the upgrade of the ASA Delta Connection service to Atlanta. CRJ-50 regional jet service was initiated in February of 2002, with three daily roundtrip operations to the Atlanta hub. The market response to this improvement in air service was very strong, with total passengers using BQK more than doubling between 2001 and 2003. However, more seat capacity, as well as additional service destinations, are needed to meet the full needs of the Brunswick community. By: Steven Brian, Director
April 22, 2005 Proposal of Great Falls International Airport Authority (MT) While the Great Falls International Airport currently has relatively strong air service for a community if its size, the airport does not capture a reasonable share of inbound visitors. Many visitors to the region use other Montana airports as their gateway or an airport in another state, such Boise or Spokane. This results in a more challenging environment when the Great Falls International Airport seeks to have incumbent carriers expand frequencies and/or capacity, or attract new market entrants. The goal of this program is to support existing service at GTF through increased enpianements which, in turn, will encourage incumbent carriers to increase service and/or new‑entrants to consider adding Great Falls to their route map. Better air service will aid the region in preserving its economic base, recruiting new business and industry, and improving local tourism. By: Cynthia Schultz, Director
April 22, 2005 Proposal of Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport (OH) The Youngstown‑Warren Airport is an important and valuable part of the region's airport and transportation infrastructure. As such, it can and must be able to provide air service at some level to the region. As a result, the Airport and the Port Authority believe that a first and very attainable step to returning reasonable levels of air service to YNG will be a continued effort to expand local public scheduled charter service at the airport. This type of service, which demonstrated over a five-month period last year where air service was provided to leisure destinations of Orlando, Florida and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, proved a viable service, demonstrating near 70% and 80% load factors respectively. Through our marketing process we have confirmed that the leisure market represents 90% of our catchment area traveler and where the most desired location being that of Las Vegas, Nevada. The benefits establishing a low cost, Las Vegas service from the Youngstown Warren Regional Airport would maximize our air service potential and further instill advantages. By: Steve Bowser, Director
April 27, 2005 Supplement to Mobile Regional Airport (AL) Proposal By: Bay Haas, Director
April 21, 2005 Proposal of Albert J. Ellis Airport (NC) Jacksonville currently has air service from one carrier, US Airways. The community is deeply concerned about an unhealthy reliance on this one carrier for all its air service, because of the financial challenges the carrier is currently experiencing. Viable air service is essential to the economy of Jacksonville and to the efficient functioning of an important component of our national defense, the Marine Corps Base at Camp Lejeune. While a disruption of the critical air transportation system that supports this base might be manageable in peacetime, it would be a significant problem today while our Marines are deployed worldwide to fight terrorism. Even if US Airways were healthy and its financial status not a daily question, the Jacksonville market can clearly support air service from a second carrier. Only ten years ago Jacksonville had air service from three airlines to three hub airports. Service to Raleigh was lost when American ended hub operations there in 1996. Delta service to Atlanta ended in 1999 as Delta Connection carrier Atlantic Southeast retired turboprop aircraft. This total funding package of $693,000 will be used to offer risk reduction funds and marketing funds to a second carrier. The primary recruitment target for this proposal is Delta Air Lines and service to the Atlanta hub. An alternative carrier/route pairing would be United Express or Independence Air service to Washington Dulles. By: Jerry Vickers, Director
April 21, 2005 Proposal of City of Williston, ND With regard to this grant application, our community is ready to make a significant cash commitment of $100,000 toward improving air service. This is a major expenditure for a community of 12,000 people that is coming on the heels of our new terminal building. We have also obtained an agreement with Great Lakes Airlines to add an additional flight and offer a significant discount on tickets. The combination of these actions and aggressive targeted marketing will create sustainable benefits for our flying public. Williston exists within a major oil basin that is being aggressively developed by U.S. oil companies based in Texas and surrounding southeastern states. In excess of 25 percent of Williston area passengers are destined for this area. It is critical to the development of these oft oil reserves that we have the seat capacity to serve this market. At present, the sharing of flights with another community does not afford adequate capacity during peak summer and fall travel periods. CRS bias restricts bookings and arbitrarily pushes travelers to other airports. By: Ward Koeser, Mayor
April 12, 2005 Re: Barkley Regional Airport (KY) Request for Grant Extension Discussions continue at an escalating rate with Delta Connection for Cincinnati service from Paducah. Delta has promised us specific details within the next month but has already alluded to the probable need for revenue guarantees and/or risk abatement agreements. Secondly, Northwest Airlink service to Memphis has experienced very high load factors thus far this year pointing to the need to upgrade from 34 seat Saab 340s to 50 seat regional jets and/or initiate service to Detroit. Discussions with Northwest also point to the need for risk abatement. These discussions will no doubt continue beyond our grant's expiration date and it is critical that we be able to utilize the uncommitted remainder of our grant should one or more of these potential service improvements come to fruition. A third reason for our extension request lies in DOT's forthcoming final ruling on renewal of RegionsAir's subsidized routes from the St. Louis hub. Although RegionsAir serves Pad ucah‑St. Louis on a non‑subsidized basis, should DOT award all or most of RegionsAir subsidized markets to another applicant carrier, the disappearance of a substantial portion of RegionsAir subsidized markets would most likely result in Paducah losing our RegionsAir American Connection service to St. Louis. We would need the remaining uncommitted AIR 21 grant funds to attract replacement service. By: Richard Roof, Manager
April 1, 2005 Proposal of Dubuque Regional Airport (IA) The main objective of the proposed Grant Program is very specifically defined to address air service issues by providing the Dubuque Regional Airport and the tri-state area with a full-time air service development specialist. This grant would cover the employee cost for a three year period. The main responsibilities are to analyze Air Service markets, market and work with area businesses and help retain and attract additional air service. The analysis research this employee will complete is to be used to negotiate with airlines for service that maximizes market demands and provides improved air service to the region. By: Andrew Perry, Airport Manager
April 21, 2005 Proposal of Greater Rockford Airport Authority (IL) By: Robert O'Brien, Director
April 21, 2005 Re: Delta Air Lines in Support of Marathon, FL
April 21, 2005 Re: Delta Air Lines in Support of Naples, FL
April 21, 2005 Re: Delta Air Lines in Support of Springfield, IL
April 21, 2005 Re: Delta Air Lines in Support of Paducah, KY
April 14, 2005 Re: TransMeridian Airlines in Support of Bangor, ME
April 21, 2005 Re: Delta Air Lines in Support of Gulfport, MI
April 21, 2005 Re: Delta Air Lines in Support of Saginaw, MI
April 21, 2005 Re: Delta Air Lines in Support of Traverse City, MI
April 20, 2005 Re: SkyWest Airlines in Support of Great Falls, MN
April 12, 2005 Re: Marshall Airport Commission in Support of Marshall, MN
April 14, 2005 Re: US Airways in Support of Greenville, NC
April 21, 2005 Re: Delta Air Lines in Support of Jacksonville, NC
April 13, 2005 Re: America West Airlines in Support of Fargo, ND
April 21, 2005 Re: Delta Air Lines in Support of Atlantic City, NJ
April 21, 2005 Re: Delta Air Lines in Support of Toledo, OH
April 21, 2005 Re: Delta Air Lines in Support of Lawton, OK
April 15, 2005 Re: Continental Airlines in Support of Abilene, TX
April 13, 2005 Re: Sky West Airlines in Support of Cedar City, UT
April 21, 2005 Re: Delta Air Lines in Support of Roanoke, VA
April 21, 2005 Re: Delta Air Lines in Support of Bellingham, VA April 21, 2005 Re: Continental Airlines in Support of Fresno, CA
April 13, 2005 Re: San Luis Obispo Council of Governments in Support of California Airports Coalition
April 11, 2005 Re: Idaho Falls Regional Airport in Support of Idaho Falls Regional Airport
April 27, 2005 Re: Ron Lewis in Support of Bowling Green, KY
April 4, 2005 Re: Northwest Airlines in Support of Paducah, KY
April 22, 2005 Motion of the City of Modesto (CA) for Confidential Treatment
April 22, 2005 Motion of the City of Marshall, MN for Confidential Treatment
April 22, 2005 Motion of the Pitt-Greenville Airport Authority (NC) for Confidential Treatment
April 22, 2005 Motion of the Lawton Metropolitan Area Airport Authority (OK) for Confidential Treatment
April 21, 2005 Supplement to Cedar City, UT Proposal By: Margaret Grochocki, Grants Coordinator
May 4, 2005 Amended Community Proposal of Great Falls International Airport - Great Falls, Montana While the Great Falls International Airport currently has relatively strong air service for a community if its size, the airport does not capture a reasonable share of inbound visitors. Many visitors to the region use other Montana airports as their gateway or an airport in another state, such Boise or Spokane. This results in a more challenging environment when the Great Falls International Airport seeks to have incumbent carriers expand frequencies and/or capacity, or attract new market entrants. The goal of this program is to support existing service at GTF through increased enplanements which, in turn, will encourage incumbent carriers to increase service and/or new‑entrants to consider adding Great Falls to their route map. Better air service will aid the region in preserving its economic base, recruiting new business and industry, and improving local tourism. |