CAPE GIRARDEAU AIRPORT'S POTENTIAL CAN BE REALIZED

Things are happening at the Cape Girardeau Municipal Airport. Work on a multi-million dollar airport renovation project is continuing, and Airport Manager Randy Holdman is doggedly working to increase commercial flight options. Boardings last month hit 484 -- the highest in three years.

Holdman has only been on the job since June, but we're impressed by his aggressive marketing approach. He wants to harvest the potential of our regional airport -- and that will benefit us all with improved services and connections.

The airport recently surveyed 20 Southeast Missouri travel agencies and found that a Chicago connection would mesh with local flying habits. The survey indicated about 650 people are flying to Chicago each month from this area. That's certainly a viable base of potential users.

Holdman said he plans to approach a new commuter airline which is servicing cities within a 300-mile radius of Chicago. But he is not limiting himself to a single destination. Holdman would also like to add a southern destination as well.

Additional airlines could help to keep costs down. Now, travelers receive TWE price breaks if they continue their flight with TWA; connections to other airlines can drive the cost of the Cape flight considerably higher. Competition should encourage TWA to minimize this surcharge.

While some airlines may feel competition may hurt business, Holdman maintains that it will only spur boardings.

But while Holdman has big ideas, he also is a realist. He's well aware that current connections with TWE need improvement. TWE currently operates with only three flights a day and limited service on weekends -- a time when many people want to travel. TWE has apparently agreed to add a Sunday afternoon flight out of Cape Girardeau in January, which should be a big plus. Now, outgoing passengers must leave Saturday night or Sunday night. That offers a limited number of connections, and the night travel proves undesirable to many. A greater number of flights in and out of Cape Girardeau simply offers travelers more travel options.

Obtaining a new commercial carrier is just one of the current priorities at the airport. Holdman also feels strongly that the airport pursue aviation related industrial development. The airport is surrounded by acres of prime undeveloped land. With its location near I-55, rail lines, and the Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority, the airport can meet intermodal demands.

Improving general aviation facilities is a third priority. The airport is well on the road to this goal. A $1.1 million renovated terminal building was completed this fall. An additional $3.3 million in projects have been approved by the Federal Aviation Administration, of which 90 percent will be funded by the federal government. Improvements include a new parking lot, a firefighting vehicle, an improved water system for fire protection, apron reconstruction and taxiway expansion, rewiring of the runways and development of a new airport layout plan.

Cape Girardeau's Airport has come a long way in the last five years. In the past, it has been somewhat of a stepchild of other city departments. It has operated under the police department and public works. Holdman's predecessor -- Mark Seesing -- was the first full-time airport manager.

Holdman answers to Doug Leslie, who was recently named assistant city manager. This means Holdman's input now goes to city hall. We feel this is a change for the better. But whatever the arrangement, we feel Holdman should be given a free rein. We feel confident that Holdman can run with this airport and make it competitive. He has a solid background in the military and commercial aviation.

We realize that ordinances under the city charter spell out the various departments and divisions. The airport is currently a division, rather than a department. Other departments include: fire and police, parks and recreation, and public works; while divisions are city engineering, planning, and convention and tourism bureau. We just encourage the city to give Holdman the support, authority and flexibility he needs to make things happen -- no matter what the title. So far, that seems to be happening.

Holdman also receives advice from an airport board with many new faces and fresh ideas.

The city and community are making a real commitment to improve airport operations, and we feel it's beginning to pay off. Under Holdman's able hand, we feel the airport's potential can be realized.