"Wyoming airport in danger of losing FAA funds"

Friday, August 1, 2003

Riverton airport in danger of losing FAA funds
The Associated Press


RIVERTON, Wyo. (AP) - The trend of declining air passenger service at the
Riverton airport can be reversed with the right airline service, state
officials told civic and business leaders.

A delegation from the Wyoming Business Council and the state Aeronautics
Division spent several hours in Riverton Wednesday to gather information
that will be used to decide how to spend $3 million authorized by the
Legislature to enhance air service in the state.

''What we need is enhanced air service and ideas from each community on what
they want,'' said Patrick G. Pitet, the Business Council's director of
minerals, energy and transportation. ''We will not enter into any
negotiation to enhance service in Riverton without input from Riverton.''

Sonja Murray, a consultant with SH&E International Air Transport
Consultancy, of Los Angeles, said Wyoming is in a unique position ''because
you have money to spend, and carriers are interested in people with money.''

Murray said not all of Wyoming's 10 commercial airports will receive equal
spending.

''Our job is to decide where the best and most realistic opportunities
are.''

She said funding will be determined on four factors: realistic markets,
finding an appropriate air carrier, developing a strong service proposal and
community support.

''The butts in the seats need to be yours because for air service
enhancements to be successful we need to develop long-term and
self-supporting service,'' Murray said.

She said there are five major air hubs within 750 air miles of Wyoming,
''and we're looking at all of those for opportunities.''

Riverton's plight is growing more critical because the airport is in danger
of losing federal funding.

Airports must board at least 10,000 passengers a year to be eligible for a
$1 million entitlement from the Federal Aviation Administration.

Riverton boardings totaled just a few dozen passengers over the minimum last
year, and boarding through June are 5 percent below last year's pace.

Aeronautics Division Administrator Shelly Reams said a recent study
indicated Riverton loses about 1,000 passengers each year who drive to
Denver International Airport, and about 1,800 fliers who drive to Salt Lake
City. Both airports are about six hours away by vehicle.

''That's over a third of Riverton passengers,'' she said, noting that other
passengers choose to drive to Casper, Jackson and even Billings to catch
flights.

Added Petit: ''The Business Council knows that air service is vital to
economic development, and we want to enhance service to Wyoming, not only
with lower fares, but with a higher frequency of service and more seats.''

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