"Chattanooga Airport Facing Loss Of Federal Funds"

Monday, February 20, 2006

Airport Facing Loss Of Federal Funds
The Chattanoogan (TN)


The Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport may be facing over a 50 percent
reduction in federal entitlement grants, president Mike Landguth said.

Mr. Landguth told members of the Airport Authority board that it may be a
trend, and airports need to seek alternate funding sources.

He said airports "need to begin operating more like a business and take
advantage of every economic development opportunity that comes along."

Mr. Landguth said airports must start transitioning away from reliance on
the federal government for "a lot of capital funding" and on airlines for "a
lot of the operation funding."

Mr. Landguth said one of the opportunities for the local airport is
developing its west portion.

He said the airport needs to put infrastructure into place to get ready for
development.

He said airport officials will evaluate different options for development
"based on the best interest of the airport and based on the best interest of
the community."

Airport Authority board member Jim Hall said he agrees that, due to the need
to deal with federal budget deficits, that the FAA trust fund "will be
decreased until it's almost zero."

Mr. Landguth also said the airport has set up an information booth.

He also said a group of volunteers is being organized to help airport
customers. The first inservice training will be Feb. 27-28.


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