Regional airport presents ambitious ideas

A 20-year master plan released by Cape Girardeau Regional Airport officials last week would indicate they're ready for the facility to fulfill what increasingly appears to be its destiny: a regional transportation hub.

In March, the numbers showed a 45 percent increase in passengers for the first two months of this year compared to last. It wasn't a fluke. The trend has continued all year, with this year's boardings outpacing last year's through the summer.

Much of that is due to the terrorism of Sept. 11, 2001, and tighter airport security.

Even though Cape Girardeau increased its security just like other, larger airports across the nation, it is much easier and quicker to get through the security process with 20 passengers at a time than hundreds. And once a passenger has been through the baggage checks, shoe checks and whatnot in Cape Girardeau, he need not repeat the process at Lambert International in St. Louis and may instead proceed directly to his connecting flight.

But even before air travelers figured out this convenience, Cape Girardeau Regional Airport was showing signs of growth. The number of corporate flights was steadily increasing, and thus the demand for more hangars to store corporate aircraft.

Part of the 20-year plan calls for purchasing 126 acres for northwest expansion, including infrastructure for cargo planes. That would mean taxiways and storage and maintenance facilities.

Other items on the plan are:

Extending the primary runway from 6,500 feet to 7,000 feet to accommodate new types of aircraft which can be used as moderately sized cargo airplanes.

Extending the crosswind runway from 4,000 to 5,000 feet.

Expanding the passenger terminal to accommodate enhanced security and provide space for a second air carrier. Currently, American Connection is the sole provider, offering flights to St. Louis only.

Developing remaining space in the existing terminal area by constructing corporate aircraft hangars.

Constructing a fire station and snow-removal equipment storage facility.

Of course, the logical question is: How much does all this cost and who is going to pay for it?

Airport officials didn't know when they presented the plan to the public. That meeting simply fulfilled a government obligation. The federal government typically funds 90 percent of the cost of airport projects, but airport officials must justify the improvements.

The cost-estimate process is in full swing now and could be done as soon as the end of January.

No doubt the public, titillated by plans for airport expansion, is eager to learn whether these ideas are feasible or won't ever get off the ground.