Consider all the advantages of local flights

Airline boardings dropped sharply following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, but -- ever so slowly -- passengers are starting to filter back to small rural airports, including the one in McCook.

"Boardings here were up slightly in the first quarter of 2003 over the same period in 2002," said Shirley Wheelbarger, station manager for Great Lakes Airlines in McCook. "It wasn't by much -- just 10 passengers or so -- but at least we're going in the right direction."

Airline activity, here and at other small airports, is an issue because of Essential Air Service legislation currently before Congress. Last week, the Senate approved an aviation authorization bill which included full funding for Essential Air Service, as well as the Airport Improvement Program.

From McCook's standpoint, "essential" is an appropriate word, because without federal funding there would be no scheduled airline service for this community or for this area.

"I received a call from Congressman Tom Osborne's office last week asking what percentage of local match the city could come up with," said McCook City Manager John Bingham. "I told them that no local funds were available; therefore, if a local match were required, it would have the effect of ending scheduled airline service in this city."

But, for now -- with the full support of Sens. Ben Nelson and Chuck Hagel -- Essential Air Service will continue. Last week, both houses of Congress approved $113 million in funding for the program, which serves dozens of towns across the nation, including eight in Nebraska: McCook, Kearney, Alliance, Norfolk, North Platte, Grand Island, Scottsbluff and Chadron.

With the subsidy, Great Lakes Airlines provides convenient connections to Denver. During the week, there are three flights daily from McCook to Denver, as well as three flights daily from Denver to McCook. There is one flight each way on Saturday, and two each way on Sunday.

After peaking at 280 boardings a month before 9/11, useage has fallen to 150 boardings in recent months. But the numbers are coming back and they should get higher. One of the big advantages here is free parking, compared to $15 to $20 per day in Denver and other metro airports. "On long trips, that can more than make up the difference of the price of flying from here to Denver," Wheelbarger said. Also, Wheelbarger said passengers like the fact that, in McCook, there are no long lines to check baggage or to go through security.

For business trips and family emergencies, air service is "essential" to the residents of rural America. The Senate and House are to commended for recognizing that fact. Now, residents of this area need to take advantage of the opportunity by starting and ending our airline journeys in McCook.