Airport moves to attract new carrier
The waiting lobby at the Columbia Regional Airport sits empty Thursday afternoon. The airport has filed to recieve a grant that would give it more money to search for a new carrier that would replace Trans states Airlines.
Published April 14, 2006
Trans States Airlines must continue to serve Columbia Regional Airport until a replacement airline is found, according to an order issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Columbia Regional Airport officials have been trying to bring a new air carrier to the city after Trans States Airlines announced on Feb. 8 that it would no longer serve Columbia after June 7.
"Trans States initially gave us a June 7 date to end service, and because of the EAS order, they will be required to continue service at the current level until a replacement contract goes into effect," airport manager Kathy Frerking said.
Officials continue to search for a new carrier.
Frerking said if the city can't find a carrier itself, the federal order requires the government to take over the search.
The airport also decided to no longer charge for parking, a loss Frerking said would help the airport to gain grant money to attract new airlines.
Republic Parking, which had handled parking for the airport, decided to end its contract when Trans States announced it would end service.
Frerking said she hoped the airport could sustain itself without the parking money so the funds wouldn't need to be replaced.
