New Runway at SLN

CONTACTS:

Timothy F. Rogers, A.A.E., Salina Airport Authority,

Jim Gregory, James Gregory Consultancy,

316.832.9733, jim@jimgregoryworks.com

December 18, 2002

Salina Airport Authority’s 2003 Budget Includes New Runway Addition & Rehabilitation of Existing Runway

Salina, KS – The Salina Airport Authority today approved the airport’s 2003 budget that includes additional capital expenditures for a new 4,300-foot north-south general aviation runway and rehabilitation of the existing 13,300-foot north-south runway.

The 2003 budget provides for more than $7.9 million in capital outlays, including $7.4 million in airfield improvements and additions that will expand the airport’s capacity and increase safety. While the new $1.1 million runway is to be funded locally, the rehabilitation of the existing longer runway primarily will come from Airport Improvement Program grants from the Federal Aviation Administration. The new runway is scheduled for construction beginning in January with completion in May and the primary runway rehabilitation is scheduled to start in June and will be completed by November 2003.

Operating expenses on the airport will remain relatively flat at $1.25 million, according to the Salina Airport Authority’s Executive Director Tim Rogers. “The Salina Airport Authority is very pleased that the strength of the airport’s finances will permit significant improvements in 2003 in order to respond to recent growth and anticipated future economic expansion in our region,” Rogers said.

On-going growth of flight traffic from the K-State Salina College of Technology & Aviation in addition to military training and flight-tests from Wichita’s general aviation aircraft manufacturers will be accommodated by the runway addition and rehab, Rogers said.

The airport will remain open throughout the duration of the construction for scheduled airline service, including the recently added third daily flight by US Airways Express between Salina and Kansas City. The airport’s two Fixed Base Operators that serve general aviation and transient military aircraft customers will also remain open during the construction periods. The construction planned for the airport in 2003 will complement the new Air Traffic Control tower commissioned in November 2002 by the Federal Aviation Administration.

The Salina Municipal Airport and Industrial Center covers 4,000 acres and is home to more than 70 businesses employing more than 4,500 employees. Businesses and organizations such as Tony’s Pizza Service, Inc., Raytheon Aircraft Company’s Salina Division, ElDorado National of Kansas, Inc., Love Box Company, Kansas State University-Salina College of Technology and Aviation, Kansas Army National Guard, Salina Vortex Corporation, Ovation Cabinetry, Inc., and the Occupational Center of Central Kansas, Inc., combine to contribute more than $120 million in annual payroll to the Salina economy. The Salina Airport and Airport Industrial Center are integral components to the region's economy and the state's economic development efforts.