Salina Airport authority gets uplifting news

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Oct. 20--Some uplifting economic numbers were discussed at Wednesday morning's Salina Airport Authority board meeting.

Air traffic, fuel flowage and passenger numbers on SeaPort Airlines flights into and out of Salina all were positive.

"All three indicators are in the plus," said Tim Rogers, airport authority executive director.

The 9,355 operations -- a takeoff and a landing is one operation -- counted at Salina Municipal Airport during September was the highest since October 2006.

"This is a level I think we all collectively strive for. It's a good indicator of better times ahead."

The 177,598 gallons of aviation fuel dispensed during the month at the airport was 4 percent higher than last September.

Flight training at Kansas State University at Salina is on the upswing, along with military training and itinerant air traffic, Rogers said. SeaPort's 225 passengers during the month was 47 better than in September 2010. That growth is notable, he said, but the goal is 500 passengers a month.

"This number really needs to double for the long-term health of scheduled air service," Rogers said.

SeaPort is expected to submit a bid with the U.S. Department of Transportation to renew its Essential Air Service contract in Salina by April 2012. Based on recent negotiations with multiple airlines vying for contracts in western Kansas, Rogers said there could be increased interest in serving Salina.

The Salina market used to support 800 to 1,100 passengers a month, he said.

With the 442nd Fighter Wing from Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., training in Salina this month, Rogers said, "I think we'll maintain a high level."

Soybeans lost in fire

In other airport news, board members learned of a fire on the airfield that destroyed 22 acres of soybeans during late September.

While airport authority workers were burning brush piles west of the runways, embers ignited the soybean field that's leased to Joe Kejr. The airport authority's insurance carrier, Chartis Insurance Group, has offered a $30,000 settlement to Kejr.

The brush piles were being burned as part of the airport's efforts to control wildlife on the airfield, Rogers said.

-- Reporter Tim Unruh can be reached at 822-1419 or by email at [email protected].