Rather than seeing Willard as what it is now — six daily arrivals, six daily departures — Cossey is dreaming big.
"We need to capture some destinations," he said. "You would want to look toward an East Coast hub and going west some place."
Without doing extensive research — he doesn't officially start as the University of Illinois airport's new leader until Dec. 7 — Cossey said potential direct destination cities include Charlotte and Denver.
Adding those, he said, would help fliers get where they need to without having to go through Chicago's busy O'Hare.
Cossey said he couldn't envision landing direct flights to Washington, D.C., despite its popularity among UI travelers.
"There are not (many) direct flights there," he said. "That's why we should focus on East Coast hubs that are open and have growth and potential."
As far as business flights, Cossey says American — the only airline currently flying in and out of Willard — would be a natural fit in adding more hub destinations.
American now offers at Willard five daily round-trip flights to Chicago and one to Dallas-Fort Worth. Anticipating heavier holiday traffic, a seventh daily flight — to and from O'Hare — will be added from Nov. 5-30.
Business travel is the biggest untapped market for Willard, Cossey said, but he also sees potential in adding leisure flights, perhaps via Allegiant Air or Spirit Airlines.
Cossey said he'd like to expand air service within five years. He believes it's possible, even in the face of aircraft changes and pilot shortages.
"Given the market that's being lost, there's room to expand," he said.
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