"Airlines acclimate to work at Wisconsin airport"

Tuesday, May 18, 2004 

Airlines acclimate to work at airport 
Austin Straubel paving runways, adding concourse 
The Appleton (WI) Post Crescent


ASHWAUBENON - Construction zones abound at Austin Straubel International
Airport.

The airport's new concourse, part of a long-term expansion project, is a
month ahead of schedule as interior work on floors and walls nears
completion.

Meanwhile, runway improvements are under way. New pavement is going in where
the two runways intersect. Work began last week and will be completed early
Sunday, Airport Director Tom Miller said. Until then, the
northeast-southwest runway is shortened to 5,000 feet.

The north-south runway also has been closed and will not open until later
this year so the older northern portion can be repaved, Miller said.

The two runway projects, funded with federal dollars, cost a total of $6.2
million.

Airlines prepared for the 10 days of runway intersection work well in
advance and reduced seating capacities to adjust for the shortened runway,
which is 7,700 feet at full length.

Northwest Airlines, the airport's largest carrier, took 100-seat DC-9s out
of its May flight schedule and replaced them with regional jets, said Randy
Bialcik, station manager. The daily flight schedule remains the same.

The normal mix of larger and smaller aircraft will return in the first part
of June, Bialcik said.

The new concourse is scheduled to open Aug. 1, a month earlier than
originally planned.

The new six-gate facility replaces a four-gate concourse that was torn down
in March 2003.

Construction of the second new concourse will follow completion of the
first, opening in late 2005 or early 2006.


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