"Santa Fe, New Mexico airport could bring in larger commercial planes"

Tuesday, July 27, 2004

Santa Fe airport could bring in larger commercial planes  
The Associated Press


SANTA FE - Santa Fe's airport is moving toward federal certification
that eventually could mean larger commercial airplanes landing in the
capital city.

The City Council this spring approved a request by airport manager Jim
Montman to move forward with a certification application. Montman said
the action could lead to service by regional carriers such as American
Eagle, United Express or Delta Connection, which fly planes that carry
up to 60 passengers.

However, the move also has raised fears the airport could be readying
itself for even larger planes.

Montman and city councilors deny that.

"There's no way we're going to go to jumbo jets," Councilor Karen
Heldmeyer said.

Montman said the airport doesn't want anything larger than 60-passenger
aircraft. He said the airport's runway and terminal cannot handle large
planes.

However, longtime airport critic Elaine Cimino contends the city is
"piecemealing airport expansion bit by bit."

The Santa Fe airport currently has service from Great Lakes Aviation,
which uses 19-seat aircraft for seven flights between Santa Fe and
Denver most days.

The city must get new federal certification just to maintain its
existing small-scale commercial service. The application is due next
June 9.

There are different types of certification. The council agreed to pursue
Class 3, which allows the kind of scheduled passenger service Santa Fe
has now, with a goal of moving up to higher classes later with council
approval.

Class 2 allows larger passenger planes; Class 1 allows all larger
airplanes.


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