AIRPORT IS FLYING HIGH

It is "Cape Girardeau Regional Airport" now. What used to be a municipal airport has a new name to reflect the growing regional area served by the facility. The airport is flying high, and everyone who has made it a success is feeling pretty good.

At the same time, some crucial decisions have been and are being made: A new fixed-base operator has been selected, ending months of legal disputes between the city and the former FBO, and a new airport manager is about to be named. The post has been offered to one of the highly qualified finalists, and word on acceptance is expected any day.

Recently the airport showed its pride at an open house. Part of the celebration was to mark the first anniversary of the new airport terminal, which is being used by record numbers of air travelers who board Trans World Express planes to make connections at major airports. More than 5,000 passengers have used the TWE service so far this year, a record.

Interestingly, most of those passengers are coming from towns within an 80-mile radius of Cape Girardeau -- more than from the city itself. The name change to Cape Girardeau Regional Airport is fitting and reflects the successful marketing by TWE.

Much of the credit for the TWE record must go to travel agencies throughout the region that have funneled air passengers through Cape Girardeau. Without the commitment of the agencies to promote the feeder airline and to sell customers on the idea of flying instead of driving to a major airport elsewhere, the steadily increasing passenger totals wouldn't exist.

The airport is one of Cape Girardeau's success stories. It is an efficient, up-to-date and convenient operation, one that has a bright future. With the hiring of a new manager, the airport should continue to soar.