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March 17--Six passengers a day might not be enough to keep scheduled air service in Salina if federal cuts to the Essential Air Service program are achieved.
In his memorandum to Salina Airport Authority board members in advance of Wednesday's meeting, Executive Director Tim Rogers warned that SeaPort Airlines might need more passengers if it is to continue air service out of Salina.
One positive was that passenger numbers, so far in March, were tracking upward after a rather flat February, when the average was two passengers boarding on each of three flights a day to Kansas City.
"March could possibly be one of SeaPort's best months" since the airline began serving Salina in April 2010, with the help of nearly $1.5 million in annual EAS subsidies, Rogers said.
Rogers said passenger numbers need to grow to a minimum of 20 a day, with a goal of 35-plus daily.
"That level would be an indication of a healthy and viable schedule."
Salina Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Dennis Lauver suggested that more marketing might be needed.
"We've just gotta do a better job of raising awareness," Lauver said. "Then word of mouth, no pun intended, will take off from there."
Debate over a Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill, which includes the EAS program, continues in Washington. Rogers expects debate to continue until sometime in April.
Local officials expect there to be less funding and stricter eligibility, Lauver said.
SeaPort President and CEO Rob McKinney said at his visit to Salina last month that the airline will ask for a lower subsidy when the contract is up for rebid in 2012.
Service is essential
Scheduled air service is "imperative," Rogers said after the meeting, but to keep it, more people have to use it.
"I believe it's essential to the economic health of the city, county and region," he said. "Local travelers have to make the effort in order for it to be viable here in Salina and Saline County."
In terms of price -- $54 for a one-way flight to Kansas City or $108 round trip with a 21-day advance purchase -- and the time involved, driving to Kansas City doesn't make sense, Lauver said. Rogers estimates the cost of driving six hours round trip and parking at Kansas City International Airport would exceed $250.
"When you take into account the driving time, price of gas and parking your car, it's a virtual no-brainer," Lauver said.
Pushing SeaPort flights
So why aren't more people flying Salina? They are, said Bridget Wampler, travel agent at World Travel Center, 1827 S. Ninth.
"We sell it. I do on a pretty regular basis for one client," she said. "We try to push it whenever we can, whenever it's a viable option for the client."
SeaPort demand is growing steadily, she said.
"Sometimes last-minute, it's not always the best, and they choose to fly out of Wichita or Kansas City," Wampler said.
However, SeaPort is very competitive when people have time to plan.
Scheduled air service out of Salina has improved since SeaPort took over from Great Lakes Airlines, she said.
"Last year at this time, I would have never said, 'Fly out of Salina,' with Great Lakes. You never knew if the flight was going. There was no stability there," Wampler said. "Now, we're very confident in SeaPort."
Rogers said passenger numbers need to grow to a minimum of 20 a day.
"That would provide the basis for more flights and 35-plus passengers," he said. "That level would be an indication of a healthy and viable schedule."
Members appointed
Also Wednesday, the airport authority welcomed two board members -- Daran Neuschafer, owner of Daran Neuschafer, Inc., of American Family Insurance, and Jeff Maes, president of ComPro Realty.
Maes' father, James C. Maes, served on the board for six years during the 1990s.
The board announced its officers for 2011-12: chairman, Jeff Thompson; vice-chairman, Dr. Randy Hassler; secretary, Neuschafer; treasurer, Maes; and past chairwoman, Julie Sager Miller.
n Reporter Tim Unruh can be reached at 822-1419 or by e-mail at [email protected].
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