"McKinney, Texas Seeks to Attract Airline Passenger Service"

Wednesday, November 29, 2006

McKinney, Texas Seeks to Attract Airline Passenger Service
By Mike Jackson
The Dallas (TX) Morning News


City officials have long said they hoped to attract airline service to the
city's airport. On Monday, the City Council took a formal step in that
direction.

Council members agreed to hire consultants to determine whether Collin
County Regional Airport can attract and retain air passenger service. The
McKinney Economic Development Corp. will pay Jacobs Consultancy of San
Francisco $69,800 to complete the study. The study is expected to be
completed by early February.

"It's basically testing the water," said Ken Wiegand, the airport's
director.

If consultants say there's a market, the consultant and city officials would
visit airlines to sell them on the idea, he said. Plans to lure airlines
could include cash incentives.

The airport currently handles corporate jets and private planes. But Mr.
Wiegand said some commercial airlines might find the area attractive. The
airlines, he added, probably wouldn't come with the hopes of competing with
Dallas Love Field or Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.

"This would probably be a niche market serving people of Collin County and
the region," he said.

The city has big plans for the airport. It already has a 7,001-foot runway
that can accommodate a jet the size of a Boeing 737, Mr. Wiegand said.

In November 2004, the City Council approved a $107 million airport growth
plan that includes a new runway and additional buildings and taxiways.

State and federal officials are currently reviewing an environmental impact
study on the proposed runway.

The plan anticipates a doubling of takeoffs and landings and a tripling of
jet aircraft in hangars at the airport by 2022.

Airport hangars currently house nine corporate jets, Mr. Wiegand said. And
there are roughly 104,000 takeoffs and landings each year.

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