"Alabama airport officials push for international flights"

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

Birmingham airport officials push for international flights
Official says Riley is interested in making it happen
BY JOSEPH D. BRYANT
The Birmingham (AL) News


Birmingham City Councilman Steven Hoyt is optimistic that Birmingham
International Airport will soon provide international flights. 

"We got a commitment from Governor Riley that he was going to help us," said
Hoyt, who is also a member of the airport board. 

Hoyt and airport director Al Denson talked to the governor during an October
trip to Japan. Both men were part of a state delegation that met with
business leaders and attended an annual economic development conference. 

"Governor Riley believes that limited international flights could be
instrumental and effective in recruiting international business to Alabama,"
said Riley spokeswoman Tara Hutchison. Hoyt said he was pleased with Riley's
positive response and promise to help the airport in its international goal.


"Not only did it yield that, but we had an opportunity to establish some
rapport with the governor that we haven't had before," Hoyt said. 

Talk of expanding airport service coincides with plans to redesign the
airport terminal. 

Airport spokeswoman Toni Herrera-Bast said the plans would include a customs
station to accommodate regular international flight service. 

Herrera-Bast said a design concept is in its infancy but should be ready
near the end of 2008. Construction will be in phases and take about five
years, she said. 

"We're putting infrastructure in place so we will be prepared to accommodate
international flights in the near future," said Gaynell Hendricks, airport
board chairwoman. 

The board is working to expand into international travel and cargo, she
said, adding that significant advances should be made in 2008. 

"In addition to the flights, we absolutely want the cargo and we are working
very hard to be able to receive and send that cargo out from Birmingham,"
Hendricks said. "With Mercedes and Honda in the area, we are primed for that
sort of business." 

Birmingham's airport has a runway capable of handling a 747 jumbo jet, the
usual aircraft for international flights, but additions must be made to the
facility, including a customs office and a storage facility to make
Birmingham a suitable international airport, officials said. 

While it is officially named the Birmingham International Airport, the
facility has only hosted infrequent international charter flights including
one during the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. 

Since October, Hoyt has met with Riley representatives once, and plans
another extensive meeting in March. Hoyt, who chairs the City Council's
economic development committee, in December began a series of quarterly
meetings with state business leaders and officials. The next meeting in
March will focus entirely on the future of the airport, he said. 


 Do you have an opinion about this story?
Share it with other readers in our CAA Discussion Forums

http://www.californiaaviation.org/dcfp/dcboard.php


*****************************************