Airport draws travelers despite worsening economy

By Grace Clarke

Published Oct. 3, 2008

The 3-flights-a-day local airport said it plans to be vigilant on adjustments toward students' needs and flight availability to increase traffic in the coming months.

Columbia Public Works Department spokeswoman Jill Stedem said that is her expectation for Northwest Airline's inaugural year serving Columbia Regional Airport. The airport reopened its doors in August after a 49-day gap in passenger service, welcoming Northwest Airlines to its runways.

"During the last six months of service with our old provider, we averaged 497 passengers monthly," Stedem said. "We expect over 1,500 at the end of this month."

Despite this good news for an airport administration that apprehensively partnered with the small Northwest Airlines, a big concern still remains, as there is an inverse relationship of rising fuel costs and decreasing spending ability, is a problem plaguing Columbia's travelers of all ages.

"The main complaint is that costs are too high," Stedem said.

With the airport serving a growing student population, price is a very real concern here and across the country.

Nebraska's Lincoln Airport attempts to draw travelers with its new wireless technology. San Diego airport has introduced more airlines to its runways. Other airports in college towns are adding Starbucks satellites and vending machines. But for many - like University of Mississippi student Lauren Mills, who was passing through Columbia - low cost tickets will always draw more travelers.

"I hate spending money," Mills said. "I hate spending money on travel, but why not invest in something pretty from Saks?"

MU students, including senior Suzanne Iovaldi, have echoed Mills' views.

"If I find a plane ticket that's cheap to somewhere I know I'll go, I'll buy it in advance and plan around that," she said. "Low cost is really the biggest draw for me."

Airports have tried to contend with that mindset, setting up trendy kiosks and eco-friendly eateries. But students' words and actions show that those aren't always the best draws.

A student-centered Web site called Student Universe, which considers itself an "online travel service that enables students to travel for less" has found success by offering students what they've repeatedly asked for: low-cost flights. By partnering with 28 airlines, Student Universe serves more than half a million college students and college faculty.

Stedem said that Northwest Airlines will add another flight or provide larger aircrafts.

"Our flights average 20 passengers each time, and the planes aren't much bigger," Stedem said of the 32-passenger crafts.

In Columbia Regional Airport, however, Columbia native Jeanie Reynolds has found an end to her Goldilocks complex with local airports.

"Lambert is too big," Reynolds said, in reference to the airport in St. Louis. "Kansas City might be a bit claustrophobic. But Columbia is just right."

Reynolds gestures to the airport's sparse one-room terminal lined with empty chairs.

"None of the lines, no delayed flights, no lost baggage," Reynolds said. "A smaller airport doesn't mean inexperience."