Big changes at Cape airport point to continued growth

Change can move at a glacier’s pace or as fast as a speeding jet.

Lately, Cape Girardeau Regional Airport’s ever-improving progress is more the latter.

Customers are now enjoying a new terminal, which functionally opened Thursday, ahead of a celebratory Oct. 1 grand opening. The terminal sorely needed a makeover, and the new facility puts a modern, welcoming face on the public-facing side of the airport.

Another step in a helpful direction is the return of flights to Chicago. Daily trips to The Windy City will begin Oct. 1 on Contour Airlines. For some time, Contour had taken local passengers to Nashville, Tennessee, where they could catch connecting flights to other destinations. Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport is more conducive to easily getting to other locales and will increase options. That will make it easier for business and pleasure travelers, as well as Southeast Missouri State University students going to and coming from their home, wherever that may be.

Airport manager Katrina Amos has overseen these projects and has done a wonderful job during her tenure. She recently announced she will be leaving the airport next month to take a job in Tennessee, and we will miss her leadership and enthusiasm.

City officials have hired JoJo Stuart to take over the reins. Stuart has extensive airport management experience and has served for 16 years with Cape Girardeau Fire Department. He is a captain and assistant emergency director with the department. He holds an associate’s degree in Aviation Management/Flight Operations and a bachelor’s degree in Aviation Management. He is already on board at the airport. We wish him well and have confidence he will continue the airport’s upward trajectory.

Big things are happening at the airport, and years of work and investment are paying off with new facilities and expanded options for passengers. Solid leadership will ensure the airport continues to grow in the years to come.