Nadine Maeser WDBJ7 Multimedia Journalist
4:29 p.m. EDT, May 22, 2013
ROANOKE, Va.—
The Roanoke Regional Airport has been undergoing renovations for months now, but WDBJ7 has learned something else could be in store for the airport.
After 30 years of being named the Roanoke Regional Airport, travelers could be flying out of an airport with a different name.
According to an airport spokeswoman, officials have been talking about changing the name of the airport for years, but WDBJ7 has learned that they have hired an outside agency to actually facilitate these discussions.
Roanoke Regional Airport is currently in the process of finishing a renovation project that costs about $4 million dollars.
“We wanted to talk to the community a little bit more about ways we could serve them outside of air service so that's where it all started,” said Roanoke Regional Airport spokeswoman Sherry Wallace.
Months and even years of research led the airport to make these big changes and with the new changes could come a new name in the future.
"They had another conversation in regards to all these other conversations we've had,” said Wallace.
Wallace said the commission board members have been kicking around ideas and discussing whether or not it was worth it to change the name.
The airport has hired an outside agency by the name of Kathy Baske-Young to help out with the discussion process. The agreement with Kathy Baske-Young is not to exceed $1,400, according to Wallace.
Many have remained tight lipped on the details but told WDBJ 7 that the agency recently surveyed airport commission members about the name change.
"It's just a conversation,” said Wallace. “Should they decide to pursue it they will do a much formal conversation."
Despite these preliminary talks, the airport will continue on with its construction and rebranding initiative.
You can already see some of the improvements made including a new entrance sign that came with a price tag of $200,000 as well as new escalators that cost $250,000 each.
In the end, it will be the airport commission members who will decide if this newly renovated airport needs a new name.
"We know they'll decide on what's best for the airport and community," said Wallace.
WDBJ 7 asked for a copy of the survey filled out by the airport commission but we were told that was not public record.
We also reached out to members of the commission board. We reached Fuzzy Minnix over the phone, but he declined to answer any questions.
At this point, there is no set deadline on when a decision will be made. Airport officials emphasized that this is only a discussion.
The airport has been called Roanoke Regional Airport since the 1980's. According to officials, it was called Roanoke Municipal Airport prior to that.
Story, Video, Reaction/Comments: http://www.wdbj7.com
May 22, 2013
Target 11: Update to Essential Air Service program (With Video)
PITTSBURGH - We first told you about the controversial federal program, known as the Essential Air Service program, for which tens of millions of tax dollars are spent every year to subsidize commercial flights into tiny airports across the country.
Critics call it a waste of tax dollars, but supporters say it ultimately stimulates the local economy.
Target 11 discovered that despite federal budget cuts and furloughs at some of the nation’s largest airports, the program remains intact and untouched.
Target 11 put the Essential Air Service program to the test again, and just like we saw back in November in Franklin, Pa., we found near-empty airplanes flying to places like Stauton, Va., and Beckley, W. Va.
Despite huge federal budget cuts in recent months, which required the furlough of air traffic controllers and the closure of air traffic control towers, the government’s controversial Essential Air Service program is still set to suck up tens of millions of tax dollars to subsidize passenger tickets at 118 small airports nationwide.
“Can we really afford as a nation to keep subsidizing people to fly on empty airplanes when there are better ways to get them there?” said Dan Ronan, of the American Bus Association.
A United States Department of Transportation spokesman said, despite a budget crisis, no adjustments have yet to be made to the Essential Air Service.
In fact, when Target 11 walked into Beckley’s airport, days after the federal budget cuts took effect, we found the same number of flights still scheduled, a ticket clerk on duty and a TSA checkpoint still up and running -- but an airport with no passengers.
"They have economies that can benefit from having that air service available,” said U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa.
Casey tells Target 11 that these small rural airports depend on the program to keep their economy soaring.
Story and Video: http://www.wpxi.com
Critics call it a waste of tax dollars, but supporters say it ultimately stimulates the local economy.
Target 11 discovered that despite federal budget cuts and furloughs at some of the nation’s largest airports, the program remains intact and untouched.
Target 11 put the Essential Air Service program to the test again, and just like we saw back in November in Franklin, Pa., we found near-empty airplanes flying to places like Stauton, Va., and Beckley, W. Va.
Despite huge federal budget cuts in recent months, which required the furlough of air traffic controllers and the closure of air traffic control towers, the government’s controversial Essential Air Service program is still set to suck up tens of millions of tax dollars to subsidize passenger tickets at 118 small airports nationwide.
“Can we really afford as a nation to keep subsidizing people to fly on empty airplanes when there are better ways to get them there?” said Dan Ronan, of the American Bus Association.
A United States Department of Transportation spokesman said, despite a budget crisis, no adjustments have yet to be made to the Essential Air Service.
In fact, when Target 11 walked into Beckley’s airport, days after the federal budget cuts took effect, we found the same number of flights still scheduled, a ticket clerk on duty and a TSA checkpoint still up and running -- but an airport with no passengers.
"They have economies that can benefit from having that air service available,” said U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa.
Casey tells Target 11 that these small rural airports depend on the program to keep their economy soaring.
Story and Video: http://www.wpxi.com
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