HSV Applies for Small Community Air Service Development Grant

Recently, the Board of Directors at Huntsville International Airport passed a resolution to support the application of a Department of Transportation (DOT) Small Community Air Service

Development grant up to $2 million, targeted at attracting a low fare carrier. This DOT program awards grants to airports that have unreasonably high airfares or insufficient air service. The grant, which was submitted August 28, 2009, will be awarded in December.

According to Mark McDaniel, Chairman, Board of Directors, Huntsville International Airport, “The potential of this grant, if awarded would provide additional assistance in our quest for a low fare carrier. For years our organization has sought lower fares with only minimum success, but with the potential award of this grant, it increases our chances of attracting a low fare carrier and aids us in combating our problem of being the airport with the highest average air fares nationwide.”

Rick Tucker, Executive Director, Huntsville International Airport, added, “Despite our continuous efforts throughout the years – from investing millions of dollars in creating fare programs, providing airline incentives, and developing marketing campaigns and travel assistant programs to offering limited, low fare airline service – our success with lower fares has been short term. The key ingredient for lower fares is the sustained presence of a low fare carrier in the market, which ultimately creates competition.”

Click here to view the signed resolution.