[Press Release] : Columbia Regional Airport pleased with successful first month of new commercial air service

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
Contact: Jill Stedem, Public Information Specialist, Public Works
Department - (573) 874-7250

Columbia Regional Airport pleased with successful first month of new
commercial air service

COLUMBIA, MO (September 23, 2008) - Despite a complex year for Columbia
Regional Airport, commercial air service is back on track with even
better than predicted passenger numbers. Airport Manager Kathy Frerking
reports an increase in passenger numbers for Mesaba’s (dba Northwest
Airlink) scheduled service, which began Aug. 19. Northwest Airlink makes
three daily flights between Columbia and Memphis Monday through
Saturday, and two flights daily on Sunday. 

For the first 17 days of service in September, the number of
enplanements was reported at 770. As a comparison to previous commercial
service at Columbia Regional Airport, the monthly enplanement average
for the last six months of service was 497.

“The numbers have continued to increase each week since the start of
service” Frerking said. 

Advanced booking numbers for the week of Sept. 13-19 reported a load
factor of 59 percent. This percentage equates to approximately 19 seats
sold per flight, based on a 32-seat maximum sell for each flight. In the
original proposal from Mesaba submitted last spring to the FAA to bid
for the Essential Air Service contract, Mesaba anticipated an average
load factor of 42 percent. Passenger numbers are well above what was
predicted for the airline. 

"Northwest is pleased to provide service to Columbia and its
surrounding communities. The projected bookings-on-hand lead us to
believe that flight loads are strong after the start-up period" said
Kristin Baur, corporate communications manager for Northwest Airlines. 
Northwest Airlines reports a completion factor of 98.9 percent and the
station's on-time performance at 97.8 percent for service at Columbia
Regional Airport.

Mid-Missouri passengers are finding fares very reasonable to fly from
Columbia. At Columbia Regional Airport passengers can expect free
parking near the terminal, single security check-in and shorter lines,
free Wi-Fi access, two rental car agencies, a restaurant and comfortable
seating on a Saab 340 with flight attendants and restrooms.

Columbia Regional Airport has received strong support from its regional
consortium. 
“At their recent board meeting, the Missouri CORE Partnership voted
to fully support and promote the Columbia Regional Airport” said Mike
Downing, executive director, Missouri CORE Partnership. 

Downing asked members to support three options:
1) Encourage community and business partners to add a link to
www.FlyMidMo.com to their Web sites and distribute airport
promotional information in their offices.

2) Encourage their employees to first check the cost and timing of
flights from Columbia to see if it is feasible, factoring in that it
would cost an additional $164 to drive to Lambert Airport in St. Louis
(242 miles @ 58 cents/mile plus $24 for 3 days parking). In addition,
the drive to St. Louis results in at least 4 hours round-trip and longer
lines for security and tickets.

3) Promote the use of the airport to other businesses and institutions
in their community.
“CORE believes that the success of the new Northwest flights is
critical to generating interest by other airlines for additional
markets” Downing said. 

The Missouri CORE Partnership is a non-profit economic development
organization for the 12 counties of mid-Missouri.

For more information about flying from Columbia Regional Airport, log
onto the airport’s Web site at www.FlyMidMo.com or call (573)
874-7508.

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