"Illinois Airport Leaders Remain Confident After FAA Study"

Sunday, January 16, 2005

Greater Rockford Airport Leaders Remain Confident After FAA Study 
By Brad Broders
WIFR-TV Ch 23 (CBS), Rockford (IL)


An FAA study saying Rockford's airport won't decrease O'Hare's congestion
isn't fazing leaders in their move to increase commercial carriers. 

"It's not a setback. It's actually going to play well into what we're
doing," Derek Martin said.

Deputy director Derek Martin believes the study, which found no problems in
adding new runways at O'Hare, will benefit RFD. He argues if O'Hare wins
approval in September to expand its runways, passengers will lose.

"You are going to have pains when you expand, and the person that gets
inconvenienced is the consumer because of delays and cancellations," Martin
said.

Martin believes if O'Hare moves forward with the expected $15 billion runway
plan, RFD will become a valid alternative for smaller airlines feeling the
pinch. 

"The city of Chicago is going to go ahead with this project. Somewhere,
somehow down the line someone's going to have to pay for it. As we talk to
airlines, if we can save them two, three million dollars a year, operating
here compared to O'Hare, if we get them to come here they aren't coming
back," Martin said.

And with more than half of travelers coming from Iowa, Wisconsin and Metro
Chicago, leaders say the study won't slow down RFD's momentum after locking
up four airlines in 16 months.

"I think it works well into our favor, with the timing of everything, is
that there are going to be delays, there's going to be cancellations, people
are continuing to get more frustrated and people are going to be looking for
solutions, and we want to be that solution," Martin said.

RFD officials add the new international terminal is on schedule and just
weeks from completion. Once the terminal begins its service, leaders plan to
continue discussions to bring low-cost service from Rockford to London.


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