"Nebraska airport seeks AIP enplanement threshold waiver"

Saturday, October 30, 2004

G.I. airport seeks special legislation
By Tracy Overstreet
The Grand Island (NE) Independent 
 
 
The Central Nebraska Regional Airport is in jeopardy of losing its annual $1
million share of Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funds unless it can
increase the number of air passengers who fly into and out of Grand Island
or extend a federal waiver.

It's trying to do both.

"Our enplanements have been up about 28 percent the last three months," said
Airport Manager Bill Stovall.

But even with the increase, the number of people flying in and out of Grand
Island is expected to total only about 8,000 at year end -- a total that
falls short of the 10,000 passengers required in order to keep the $1
million of AIP funds.

The airport received a waiver from meeting the 10,000 passenger number -- a
forgiveness that was extended to numerous airports after 9/11 due to that
event's impact on the number of people using air travel. The waiver is good
for one more year.

"That could impact our future projects -- yes -- after 2007," Stovall said
of the funding jeopardy.

He's hoping to boost air passenger numbers in 2005 and beyond by adding
eastbound flights to Kansas City.

"Our eastbound service will help us increase numbers," Stovall said.

But airlines want revenue guarantees in order to provide the eastbound air
service. Stovall asked the city of Grand Island and the Grand Island Area
Economic Development Corp. to commit $300,000 toward the revenue guarantee,
but no action has been taken because the airlines haven't extended a formal
flight offer.

Grand Island's air passenger numbers have no bearing on the airport's
current $5.5 million replacement of the airport apron and taxiway, which is
to be complete in the next 45 days.

Passenger numbers also will have no impact on the $7.2 million main runway
reconstruction to occur next year.

Stovall met with Federal Aviation Administration officials this week in
Kansas City to review the project, which was authorized to be bid March 1.
Stovall hopes to get approval to move the bid opening to the first week of
February in order to have contractors ready to go in March if the weather is
conducive to beginning the massive project, which needs to be done before
winter 2005.

The FAA previously OK'd making Grand Island's main runway stronger than it
was before and this week authorized the construction of blast pads on the
runway. The blast pads are sections of concrete that better withstand the
harsh blasts of a jet as it prepares to take off.

"This project will raise (the main runway) up 12 inches for drainage reasons
and added strength," Stovall said.

The Central Nebraska Regional Airport in Grand Island is also seeking a
two-year extension of the passenger waiver legislation in order to preserve
the airport improvement entitlement funds. That extension would mean $6
million to Nebraska -- $2 million each for airports in Grand Island, Kearney
and Scottsbluff.

The Kearney Municipal Airport is also short of the 10,000 passenger
requirement, although numbers have been on the rise the past few years.
There were 4,996 total passengers in 2002, including both carrier and
charter flight numbers.

Kearney's total passengers rose by 14 percent in 2003 to 5,686. As of
mid-October, Kearney numbers stood at 5,297, said Airport Manager Colin
English.

"On the average, we are up 25 percent over last year at this time," he said.

Grand Island's passenger numbers are up about 13 percent year-to-date,
compared to last year. A total of 6,790 people flew in and out of Grand
Island in 2003.

"Keep in mind, we've had these projects going on," Stovall said. "It does
impact the numbers."

Stovall believes a special $99 fare to Denver helped boost Grand Island
passenger numbers in June, July, August and September. That special expires
Nov. 14. However, other specials are in the works, he said.

Air passenger numbers

Grand Island and Kearney need to keep the annual passenger numbers above
10,000 to keep $1 million of annual airport improvement funds. Grand Island
is seeking a federal waiver to that requirement through 2007.

Month  Grand Island  Kearney

January  521    452

February  554    498

March  724    573

April  569    579

May  481    490

June    574  528

July  638    600

August  683    574

September  834    634

October*  646    369

YTD total  6,224    5,297    

*Incomplete month


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