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KIRKSVILLE, MO. -- At the last Airport and Transportation Commission meeting in Kirksville officials reported ridership numbers were up each month this year.
    
The report Tuesday shows that trend isn't slowing down.  The numbers went from 71 passengers in August 2008 to 171 in August of this year.

“I believe it's probably mostly a result of our marketing promotion effort.  I'm sure the fare reduction from $69 and $79 down to $49 has an impact as well,” said Airport Director Dave Hall.

Ashlee Frazier with Air Choice One was also at the meeting.  She says they're seeing lots of new passengers that didn't even know the airport exists.

Members of the commission expressed an interest in changing the departure times of flights at the Kirksville Regional Airport.
    
They say the times should be earlier so passengers can connect to their flights in Saint Louis by 9 a.m.  If Air Choice One adds more airports to their roster, it will be difficult for Kirksville to change their flight times.

“They're bidding 7 other communities and obviously we'll have to add crews, add aircraft and so potentially it could give us more options.  The other side of the coin is it could make us a smaller piece of the pie which obviously has been an issue in the past,” said Hall.

Hall says Air Choice One is a smaller airline and he thinks they can work with each other.

At the last meeting, Hall reported the results of the FAA inspection from July at the Kirksville Regional Airport.  The list included 10 items and gave only a month to complete the improvements.  At Tuesday’s meeting, Hall was much more optimistic about the inspection.

“We had 10 items that were identified as short comings.  Five of those have already been resolved and we're working to resolve the balance.  The balance of them are bigger items,” said Hall.

Hall says the bigger items include concrete work, pavement repairs, and markings on the runway.  He says they now have a plan in place and he's confident they will comply with the inspection by the end of October.

Hall also invites everyone to visit the airport during The 2009 Depot Inn & Suites Kirksville Regional Air Festival on September 11th and 12th.