It would be hard to argue against the notion that North Central West Virginia Airport is enjoying great success.
In 2015, the airport surpassed 25,000 enplanements, just eight years after only 4,500 passengers flew out of the Bridgeport-based airport in 2007.
That success has been the product of hard work by Airport Director Rick Rock, his staff and the members of the Benedum Airport Authority, who oversee the airport’s operation.
Working together, they have greatly improved the local facility, using federal money to lengthen the air strip to 7,800 feet, making it the longest commercial runway in the state. They’ve also made significant improvements to the terminal building, both inside and out.
And they used innovative approaches to land more customers, targeting charter flights and special destinations to subsidize the standard daily passenger count.
The results have been remarkable, and have helped the airport thrive.
That’s vital to the local economy, as the airport business park, which is supported by the commercial airport operation, is home to more than 1,500 aerospace jobs.
But there will always be challenges, as even major airports sometimes struggle in today’s changing marketplace. Smaller ones, like NCWV Airport, face even more pressure to deliver quality service at affordable prices.
To do that, local airport officials have reached out to several companies in an effort to provide additional offerings or replace those currently provided by Silver Airways as part of the federally subsidized Essential Air Service program.
Silver Airways is providing service to Washington’s Dulles Airport, receiving in excess of $200 per passenger in a contract that expires Sept. 30.
Airport officials are working to land a new carrier that would fly into a major hub like Charlotte, North Carolina, giving local passengers a new option. Officials believe that would help solidify and perhaps even grow the customer base.
“Our goal as an airport is to eventually graduate from the Essential Air Service,” Rock told the Bridgeport City Council on Monday, as he discussed the concept of a local “risk mitigation fund” to subsidize a new carrier.
Because the air transportation industry is so challenging, many carriers won’t consider new markets unless there is a program in place that guarantees them a certain profitable level of enplanements.
The risk mitigation fund would be used to help offset any losses suffered by the carrier. And Rock is reaching out to area cities, counties and development groups to consider helping to provide funding.
Based on NCWV Airport’s track record, it is a worthy concept that could help the facility maintain or grow business. In turn, it could help stabilize the jobs supported by the local aerospace companies.
Both of those goals are worthwhile and would benefit the local economy and tax base.
But there are risks to taxpayers as public entities such as cities and county commissions consider allocating funding to the mitigation fund.
Those risks need to be carefully weighed with the potential rewards, ensuring current jobs at the airport are protected and the likelihood for growth is real.
Bridgeport Mayor Bob Greer, who also serves on the Benedum Airport Authority, said it best: “The airport is a vital component of the economic engine that drives our economy.”
With that said, the risk mitigation fund deserves thoughtful consideration by area leaders.
Post a comment as Anonymous Commenter
Report
Watch this discussion.
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.