TWE OFFERS TICKET PRICE REDUCTION

The only commuter airline serving Cape Girardeau Regional Airport recently announced a drop in rates.

Depending on the amount of advance notice, some Trans World Express fares are less than half what they were several weeks ago.

A local TWE spokeswoman said the airline will offer round-trip tickets to Lambert International Airport in St. Louis for $68. The tickets must be purchased 21 days in advance and must include a Sunday stay-over.

Commuter flights that connect with TWA flights cost only $40 round-trip with the same restrictions.

A one-way ticket now costs $49 with a 14-day purchase notice and $74 with a seven-day notice. Neither ticket has additional restrictions.

The rates are higher for shorter notice.

Walter Denton, assistant city manager, said the new rates are welcomed by the city of Cape Girardeau, which operates the airport.

"We've been encouraging them to drop their rates all along," he said. "We've also asked for more frequent flights and more convenient flights."

Denton said the city conducted an informal survey of travel agents over the fall, asking what TWE and the airport could do to encourage people to fly out of Cape Girardeau. The agents asked for lower fares and Sunday afternoon and Sunday evening flights.

Denton is serving as interim airport manager following the resignation of Greg Chenoweth. He said the deadline for applications for airport manager is Friday, and the city hopes to name someone to the position soon afterward.