"Mississippi airport opens concourse"

Saturday, June 12, 2004 

Airport opens concourse
Expansion to help passenger flow
By Stefanie McGee
The Hattiesburg (MS) American


Attracting a second airline to the Hattiesburg-Laurel Region-al Airport
hinges on passenger flow in and out of the airport, so officials hope
the new $1.1 million concourse will bring more flyers through the front
door. 

"This is our crown jewel," said the airport's executive director Tom
Heanue as he walked into the glass-walled 3,000-square-foot expansion.
"We've got a little more space and comfort in here for passengers." 

The addition of the airport's first concourse will allow passengers to
pass through security, wait for their Northwest flight, use the restroom
and watch television without leaving the area and having to be
re-checked by airport security. 

"We loved it before, but we really love it now," said Natalie
Morrissette of Hattiesburg, as she and her family waited to board the
32-passenger flight to Memphis, Tenn. 

The Morrisettes, who were on their way to Orlando, Fla., frequently use
the airport and appreciate its closeness to their home and ease of use. 

"We hope more people in the community use this airport," Morrissette
said. 

That thought reverberates from Heanue as he discusses the expansion,
which includes a second airline counter to help lure another airline for
Pine Belt residents. 

By the end of May, the airport had served more than 10,500 passengers,
which is about halfway to 2003's total, according to airport boarding
records. 

As the numbers grow, the possibility of a third flight or a second
airline gets closer, but the numbers aren't there yet, Heanue said. 

Mark Brandsness of Tulsa, Okla., said a second airline would add the
competitiveness necessary to attract more flyers. 

"It's unfortunate for you that it only has one airline flying in and out
of here because it prices you out," said Brandsness, who is a first-time
visitor at the airport. "If you had two airlines, you could get
competitive rates." 

Although the expansion was funded through a federal and state matching
grant, Heanue said he believes an investment should be made by the Lamar
County Board of Supervisors to the operational budget of the airport. 

"One-third or more of the cars outside are from Lamar County," said
Heanue, who performs weekly counts to determine where the majority of
airport patrons reside. 

"It's not a lot of money that we're asking for," said Heanue, who has
not officially addressed the board with a proposal. 

He estimated that Lamar County's share would be $70,000, as they would
not be asked to share in the capital improvements budget because the
airport lies in Jones County and just outside of Forrest County. 

Lamar County Board President Fred Hatten said the board would consider
the funding in the future. 

"I would say that it may be sometime in the future until we would be
able to take on an additional project," Hatten said.

Attached Photo's:

Eileene McRae, right, reads in the comfort of the new concourse at the
Hattiesburg-Laurel Regional Airport as she waits along with Kenneth
Young, center, and Kristy Groth, left, to board the outgoing flight from
Hattiesburg Friday.

Halle, from left, Summer and Natalie Morrisette watch the plane they are
about to board at the Hattiesburg-Laurel Regional Airport from behind
the big plate-glass windows of the new concourse Friday.

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