Airport could expand flights to Memphis

Mesaba would offer 20 roundtrip flights per week to its hub.

By Mary Daly

Published April 22, 2008

The City Council made efforts to make Columbia a destination city rather than a connection city by improving the Columbia Regional Airport on Monday night.

The U.S. Department of Transportation recently received proposals from three airlines — Minnesota-based Mesaba Aviation Inc., Wyoming-based Great Lakes Aviation and Hawaii-based Hawaii Island Air. The three airlines are all interested in providing Essential Air Service subsidized commercial flights for Columbia Regional Airport.

The council voted unanimously that Mesaba would be the best for the city of Columbia. It passed a motion directing City Manager Bill Watkins to draft a letter to the USDOT explaining the priorities of the airport and offering justification for these choices.

Mesaba would offer 20 roundtrip flights per week to its hub in Memphis. Great Lakes and Hawaii Island Air would provide 24 and 18 roundtrip flights, respectively, to Kansas City.

The council’s first choice was Mesaba’s third option offered, which would utilize Mesaba for service to Memphis, allowing regional travelers to benefit from a hub airport where Northwest Airlines offers 226 departures to 83 cities. This option provides three daily flights to Memphis.

The Mesaba service would be offered on a 34-seat Saab 340 aircraft, with a flight attendant and in-flight service. Travellers connecting in Memphis would only need to pass through one security checkpoint in total, at Columbia Regional, as Memphis keeps travelers in the secured area while making their connections.

The council also considered Mesaba’s first option, which requires the least level of subsidy from the USDOT and offers all the features of Mesaba’s third option, except it lacks in frequency of flights.

Jeff Brand, Northwest Airlines National Account Representative, said it is key that Mesaba offers service with Northwest in Memphis.

“It allows people to buy fares to final destinations,” Brand said. “Kansas City, the hub for the other airlines, is not meant to be a hub airport like Memphis. Memphis is also better for international travel.”

Airport Advisory Board member David Rosman said Columbia needs to promote usage of Columbia Regional Airport.

“We need to try to make Columbia a destination city,” Rosman said. “The city needs to come up with a financial plan to help promote the airport.”

Rosman said Mesaba is the best option for Columbia because it would attract more people to use the airport.

Fifth Ward Councilwoman Laura Nauser said she tries to fly out of Columbia Regional as much as possible.

“I try to lead by example,” Nauser said. “We need to work to make people view Columbia as a destination, not just as a connection city.”

Nauser said the success of Columbia Regional could help the city develop economically, so a plan to improve the airport is essential.

Watkins said connecting to Memphis is a good start for Columbia Regional.

“If we can get a good track record with Memphis, we’ll be able to attract other carriers,” Watkins said.

Mayor Darwin Hindman said Mesaba is the carrier that is most interested in Columbia and the best choice for the city.

“Mesaba appeals to me because it’s different from what we’ve tried before,” Hindman said.