AIRPORT CONCERNS

It wasn't a good week for the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport.

First, Trans World Express, the regional carrier that flies to Lambert Field in St. Louis, announced it would cut back on its flight schedule due to a reduced federal subsidy. One flight was eliminated daily as well as all weekend flights. Second, the Federal Aviation Administration decided to cut off funding for the airport's air traffic control tower. The FAA said it is ending the funding for seven of 19 airports that don't meet cost-benefit ratios. The federal funding ends Dec. 31.

On the surface, the developments are disappointing. But they are fiscal challenges that state and local entities must face if the federal government is to balance the budget. And this tough balancing act won't come without pain and compromise at all levels.

City officials are guardedly optimistic that they will be able to find the funding to keep the tower open. While the tower may not be a necessity for airport operations, it adds greatly to air safety. Symbolically, it also enhances the airport's image as a facility that can handle additional traffic.

The tower currently operates from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days week. Although the numbers have gone down, air traffic controllers remain busy. Each month, the tower monitors nearly 2,000 takeoffs and landings.

Local folks now have to weigh the benefits of the tower versus the costs of picking up the tab. The tower costs about $170,000 annually to operate. Earlier this year, the city agreed to pick up the cost of liability insurance, lowering the FAA's contribution to $145,000.

City Manager Michael Miller has said the city has some reserve funding that could be used to operate the tower at its current level through the end of next June. This extension would allow further time to debate the tower's importance and look for alternative funding sources. This sounds like a good plan.

The state highway commission recommended earlier this year that the state make up the loss of any federal funds to keep airport towers open in Missouri. That too would be a possibility to explore.

U.S. Sen. Kit Bond did an admirable job lobbying for tower funding in Cape Girardeau. The tower funding is one of thousands upon thousands of reductions that must be made in an attempt to balance the federal budget.

It is easy to support a balanced budget when it affects someone else. The fiscal realities are much more challenging, but no less important.