Editorial

AIRPORT HAS POTENTIAL FOR BETTER DAYS AHEAD

This article comes from our electronic archive and has not been reviewed. It may contain glitches.

The Cape Girardeau Municipal Airport is undergoing some changes that we believe are positive ... or at least have the potential to be positive. A number of things need to happen in order for the airport to be an efficient and successful facility as well as an effective tool for local economic development. We believe these things are possible and that the airport can reach its potential as a gateway for the city and area it serves.

Mark Seesing leaves this week as airport manager to assume the job of operations manager for Cape Central Airways, the facility's fixed base operator (which is owned by Mark Spatz). Seesing, whose family name is synonymous with local aviation, is well suited to manage the airport's service operation; his father founded Cape Central Airways in 1950 and Mark was an integral part of the business before becoming the city's first airport manager in 1989.

Prior to 1989, the airport was managed by city employees who had other municipal duties. While we contend the city must give due attention to the airport, we believe a strong fixed base operator can do more to make the facility a success than an airport manager could ever do. Through prompt, orderly and dependable service, a fixed base operator can provide a base for general aviation (including the expanding and important business aviation category) from which other aspects of airport operations can build.

The fixed based operator must look at his operation as any business owner would: he must evaluate the market and determine how he can do the best (and most profitable) job in serving that market. If there is an appealing fixed base operation (offering refueling, maintenance, charter flights, pilot training and other services), an airport restaurant (never a profitable operation locally) is more likely to succeed. The fixed base operator must also look at other airports in similarly sized cities and learn from the competition.

If service falters, if the facilities aren't appealing, general aviation pilots (even those just looking for a place to land for fuel) will likely choose another airport in another city. If service excels, if the facilities are up to speed, the fixed base operation can carry much of the load for the city in raising the profile of the airport.

There are things the city must do, however. One, municipal officials must take steps to move along the terminal refurbishing project; this needs to be finished. Two, the city should determine, in consultation with its airport advisory board, if the hiring of a new airport manager is the best way to handle responsibilities at the facility and the best use of funds.

The airport is important for Cape Girardeau. For some people traveling to this city for business or other purposes, the airport is the first impression they get of Cape Girardeau. For some traveling across the country and landing in Cape Girardeau for fuel or service, the airport is the only impression they will get. We wish Mark Seesing well in his new job with the fixed base operator. We also believe the airport can realize better days in the future if certain things happen.