Members of the Aviation Commission gave the greenlight to hire a consultant to help staff make the right moves to bring additional airline service to Augusta Regional Airport.
Executive Director Herbert Judon, Jr. told commission members at the June 30 regular meeting that Augusta is an underserved market when compared to similarly sized markets.
He said a consultant, many of whom are former airline employees, can help Augusta strategize better on how to attract a new airline to the airport.
“They may have some relationships with some of the airline personnel that may help us be more to the forefront,” he said. “And in terms of getting more service, they have some tools as well, that can help us analyze the market. Not only the current market, but even projections. So, I think it’s a small investment to make versus the potential gain.”
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He said many airports including Savannah, Columbus and Wilmington, N.C. utilize the services of a consultant. Commissioners approved spending up to $50,000 for Judon to work with a consultant. As with other airport expenses, the consultant will be paid through airport revenue along with federal and state grants. The county does not provide the airport with operating funds.
The board approved raising rates for both short-term and long-term parking to help cover some upgrades.
“We’ve added new parking canopies, we’ve added new revenue control systems. Some of the internal systems that the parking people use to upgrade and expedite the flow with the parking has increased. We’re adding new parking spaces, about 150 new parking spaces. We’re adding electric vehicle charging stations this year. So, there’s a myriad of improvements that we’re doing out there as well.”
The rate for the short-term lot, currently $10 a day, will increase to $12 a day. Long term parking will increase to $10 a day from its current $8 a day. Judon estimates the increases will generate about $459,000 a year in revenue.
Commissioners also approved spending just over $478,000 to have Mead and Hunt do the full design for the planned terminal expansion. The expansion will add about 2,000 square feet to the area that includes gates 3 & 4.
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The area was designed when airlines servicing the airport flew propeller aircraft into Augusta and people boarded from the ground. Those have now been replaced by jet aircraft and boarding bridges that passengers use.
Judon said work on the terminal building would cost roughly $2 million which could be covered with the airport’s infrastructure funds.
Members of the commission voted May 26 to spend up to $3 million to purchase two new passenger boarding bridges.
Dana Lynn McIntyre is a general assignment reporter for The Augusta Press. Reach her at dana@theaugustapress.com
