Airport directors cooperate

Officials discuss sharing expertise, working together on grants, improving service to facilities

Web posted May 10, 2000

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By Justin Martin
Staff Writer

On Sunday morning, away from the distractions and hectic pace only a workweek can bring, Tim Weegar and Buster Boshears sat down and talked about their airports.

Even though the two men had known each other since 1997, Sunday's summit was the first time in a long time the leaders of Augusta's two airports had done anything like that.

Needless to say, the meeting between Mr. Weegar, the operations manager and interim director of Augusta Regional Airport at Bush Field, and Mr. Boshears, the airport director for Daniel Field, lasted 2' hours.

The two talked about sharing services and staff expertise, working together on grant applications and, perhaps most important, finding ways to improve air service to both of Augusta's airports.

``We talked about how we could work closer together; we're both owned and operated by Augusta-Richmond County,'' said Mr. Weegar. ``If Buster needs an engineer, I'm sure mine can help him out.''

Their discussion continued Tuesday afternoon at the second meeting of the Joint Aviation Committee.

The group is charged with finding ways for the Augusta Aviation Commission and General Aviation Commission to develop a combined visionary strategy for improving regional air transportation.

The committee, led by Lee Smith, is made up of three members of each airport commission.

The meetings have helped open the lines of communication between the two airport boards, something that officials from both sides say is badly needed.

Committee member Braye Boardman said it's important the group continue its dialogue and work together rather than against one another.

Rightly or wrongly, Mr. Boardman said, the perception from officials at the Federal Aviation Administration and the state Department of Transportation is that Augusta has become too political for its own good.

Mr. Smith said he hopes both boards will work together and compete not with themselves but with Savannah, Columbia and Columbus for improved air service.

The committee is now developing a joint mission statement, improving the dialogue between the two airport boards and, at Tuesday's meeting, asked Mr. Weegar and Mr. Boshears to create, in draft form, a list of the similarities and differences between the two airports.

Reach Justin Martin at (706) 823-3552.