|
|
Airport officials consider
new name, other changes
By Lynde Smith
Staff
Writer
The Purdue Airport is looking to make some changes,
including possibly its name, though no changes will occur in the immediate
future.
The airport may change its name to reduce confusion
of who the facility serves.
Betty Stansbury, airport director, said the change
is being discussed because some people seem unsure whether the Purdue
Airport serves the Greater Lafayette community or just Purdue faculty,
staff and students. The airport's intention is to serve the county,
though some people apparently don't check for flights from the facility
because they think it's for only those affiliated with the University.
Stansbury said that changing the name would reflect
a more regional airport.
The Purdue Airport is still looking for a replacement
carrier for United Airlines Express, which stopped its service from
Purdue to Chicago's O'Hare International Airport last semester.
"We are still looking for a replacement to pick
up the Chicago service," said Stansbury.
The United Airlines carrier, Great Lakes Aviation,
pulled out in February and the airport has been looking for a replacement
service ever since, said Stansbury.
She said the company's reasons for leaving were
rising fuel costs and this local air market being less profitable than
others are.
The target airlines being looked at to take over
the previous Chicago service route are another United partner and an
American Airlines one, but at this point the airport hasn't been able
to get a commitment from any one carrier.
"There just is not whole lot of interest," said
Stansbury.
At this point, Northwest Airlines is the only carrier
servicing the Purdue Airport. Northwest runs two flights daily to Detroit,
said Stansbury.
Stansbury said the airport also has plans for two
more projects: a runway expansion and a new terminal. The airport is
finishing a runway extension, which will lengthen the safety area off
the end of the runway.
Additionally, a new terminal could come in the
future because the present one is old. The current terminal is a 1940s
converted terminal, said Stansbury.
A new airline terminal would be complete with all
the amenities of a regular airport, including gates and rental cars
all in a more modern facility, said Stansbury.
|
Library
deals with Web misuse
Union
makes culinary changes
Airport
officials consider new name, other changes
Aquatic
Center opens, meets with approval
Senate
to finalize nomination
CAMPUS DESK PHONE:
(765)
743-1111 ext. 253
Campus editor:
Laura Pelner
Assistant campus
editors: Kurt Esposito,
Dave Stephens
To
send a letter to the editor, please email opinions@purdueexponent.org
|
