Businesses still open after carrier grounding

Cape Girardeau Regional Airport and businesses located there are still open and operating despite the fact that the airport's commuter airline has been grounded.

People are still using airport services, just not the commercial airline. "General aviation isn't totally at a standstill," said airport administrative coordinator Angela Ahrens.

The Federal Aviation Administration grounded RegionsAir flights March 8, citing alleged inadequate training of certified inspectors. It is unknown how long the order will stand at this point.

Tina Poaski, owner of the Drop Zone airport restaurant, which opened Jan. 2, said she counted 10 flights Thursday. She's spoken to people from Metropolis, Ill., and Marion, Ill., touching down on flights from Cape Air Charter and the private charters of Rubbermaid, for example.

Poaski gets customers from surrounding areas who like to eat at the restaurant and watch the planes come and go. After the fleet of aircraft was grounded, she received calls from regular customers who thought the Drop Zone had closed.

A sign at Hertz car and truck rental service indicated the office was closed Friday due to the lack of reservations.

But business for Bootheel Area Rapid Transportation, the van shuttle service to Lambert-St. Louis International Airport, has picked up "tremendously," said owner Kathy Hecht, although she didn't have figures.

"We get customers wondering how they're going to get to St. Louis," Hecht said. "They're pleased with us. We help solve their problem."

Commercial carrier RegionsAir had 8,000 passengers last year, according to Ahrens.

tkrakowiak@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 137