NO FLIGHT DELAYS AT CAPE AIRPORT DUE TO ATR CRAFT

Trans World Express flights are arriving and departing on schedule at the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport regardless of the FAA's grounding of ATR planes.

A spokesman said Sunday that Jetstream J-31 aircraft typically service Cape Girardeau, not ATR aircraft. He said ATR aircraft aren't scheduled for any of the flights arriving or departing the airport.

The spokesman said the aircraft are British made and have smaller passenger capacities than the French-Italian ATR aircraft.

The Associated Press reported Saturday that TWE flights might be delayed or canceled while the airline shifted the commuter planes' routes at the St. Louis hub.

Flights affected by the shifting originated in the following cities: Birmingham, Ala.; Chicago; Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Grand Rapids, Mich.; Knoxville, Tenn.; Lexington, Ky.; Madison, Wis.; Sioux City, Iowa; and St. Louis.

The spokesman said although flights to Cape Girardeau typically originate in St. Louis, the airport wouldn't be affected by the shifting of ATR aircraft to other routes.

The FAA grounded ATR planes last week after concerns were raised regarding the aircraft's performance in icy conditions.

The FAA's action comes after 68 people aboard an American Eagle flight were killed when the ATR aircraft crashed near Roselawn, Ind., Oct. 31 in icy conditions.