"Iowa airport officials relieved after federal EAS funding comes through"

Wednesday, December 14, 2005

Airport officials relieved after federal funding comes through   
By JOHN SKIPPER
The Mason City (IA) Globe Gazette 


MASON CITY -  Federal funding that helps large airlines serve small airports
has been approved for another year.

The funding, part of the Essential Air Service program, subsidizes Northwest
Airlines in its service to Mason City Municipal Airport.

"Merry Christmas," said Joni Dunn, chairwoman of the Mason City Airport
Commission. "We had indications that the funding would be there, but you
never know," she said.

"Without the Essential Air Service funding, we would have trouble having
Northwest continue to come here."

EAS is absolutely essential to small airports," said Tim McClung of the Iowa
Department of Transportation. "It is especially important to Burlington,
Mason City and Fort Dodge," he said.

The federal transportation appropriations bill, signed last week by
President Bush, also funds the Airport Improvement Program, the money source
for infrastructure improvements at airports.

Iowa airports received $53 million in AIP grants in 2005 for airport
rehabilitation and development projects. In Iowa, 77 of the state's 111
publicly-owned airports are eligible for federal funding.

Funding for the grants is provided through aviation-generated user fees,
such as passenger and facility fees, cargo taxes, and fuel taxes, said
McClung. AIP funds are primarily allocated to airfield projects involving
runway and taxiway construction, safety items, and planning studies, he
said.

Michelle McEnany, director of the Iowa Department of Transportation's Office
of Aviation said, "More than three million passengers are processed annually
through Iowa's commercial service airports. This level of funding goes a
long way in positioning our airports to meet the needs of businesses,
residents and visitors to our state."

In the last fiscal year, Mason City Municipal Airport received $6,846,169 in
federal funds for rehabilitation work on two runways.

Also in North Iowa, the Forest City airport received $103,550 for repair
work on an access road and the Algona airport got $228,950 for construction
of a building to house equipment.

Pam Osgood, Mason City airport manager, was not available for comment
Tuesday.

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