Board moves to study expansion

Web posted September 15, 2000

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By Justin Martin
Staff Writer

The Augusta Aviation Commission on Thursday took several steps toward its declared goal of increasing air service to Augusta Regional Airport at Bush Field.

The commission appropriated as much as $150,000 for an air service analysis. The study, when completed, will serve as a road map for the airport marketing department.

OTHER STORIES: • Aviation groups come to airport's aid • Aviation commission looks to GAIN • New airport promotions prepare for takeoff • Airport hopes to see funds • Experts push master plan for airport • Airport ignores funding • Board moves to study expansion • Inspectors: Airport outdated • Commission rethinks airport plan • Commission OKs design of new terminal • Airport gets fund priority • City sets sights on airport facilities • City looks to land major airlines • Local leaders discuss airline service goals • Delta jets to depart from area • Airport panel OKs new terminal plan • Growth alarms officials • Augusta's size hurts airport expansion plan • Firms vie for airport plan • More airlines doubtful • Problems hurt Bush Field • Airport business picks up • Augusta airport plans disappointed by Delta

``Not only do you get a determination of what your market size is, but you get the financial models that we can take to an airline that says with your aircraft type, here's what we can give you, and we can show them that they can make a profit here,'' said David Dorminey, the airport's marketing director.

Besides the survey, which will take a few months to complete, the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce's Air Service Task Force has helped the airport secure $6.4 million in commitments from Augusta-area businesses pledging exclusive use of an airline that will bring new service to Augusta.

``We were rather successful in coming up with an awful lot of support, but all it really did was get us up to where everybody else was,'' said Julian Miller, chairman of the Air Service Task Force.

The task force, a group of local business leaders, is charged with helping the airport improve air service to Augusta.

Mr. Miller, general manager of The Augusta Chronicle, said members of the task force - on the suggestion of interim airport Director Tim Weegar and Mr. Dorminey - plan to tour the airport in the near future and learn as much as they can about Bush Field.

``We need to learn a lot more about how the airport operates,'' Mr. Miller said.

The Air Service Task Force also is encouraging the aviation commission to support the proposed increase to the airport's marketing budget. Currently, the budget, including salaries, is at $200,000. Most airport marketing budgets are twice that size, and several commissioners have said Augusta needs to double its own marketing budget.

A delegation of chamber officials recently went on a business trip to Atlanta. While there, the group lobbied Gov. Roy Barnes for help with Augusta's air service problems. The governor, Mr. Miller said, was well-informed of the situation and offered to help.

Meanwhile, Mr. Dorminey and executives from Comair are finalizing the details to the introduction of direct flights from Augusta to Cincinnati.

In the next few weeks, Mr. Dorminey and Comair marketing representative Michael Keithley will put together a VIP/media flight to Cincinnati.

In November, there will be a community leader and corporate travel luncheon aimed at educating the community about the new service.

Then on Dec. 1, the ribbon will be cut and service will begin.

``We're real excited about coming into Augusta,'' Mr. Keithley said. ``I know it's been talked about for a long time. It's only twice a day right now, (but) more regional jets are coming in every month, and they're going to be redeployed in the markets that make the most sense. So if we're very successful in this market, you can possibly expect more service down the road.''

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