THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, January 24, 1997 TAG: 9701240541
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DEBBIE MESSINA, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 56 lines
Tired of carrying the burden for Norfolk International Airport, Norfolk wants Virginia Beach and Chesapeake to take some responsibility for the airport.
During a retreat Thursday of the Norfolk Airport Authority's Board of Commissioners, Norfolk officials said the city wants some recognition for its support of the airport as South Hampton Roads cities engage in regional discussions of issues, such as light rail, water and professional sports.
Just what kind of contribution the cities could make to the airport is not clear, although Norfolk Mayor Paul D. Fraim and Norfolk City Manager James B. Oliver Jr. said they are not looking for cash. The airport is basically self-supporting.
``The airport is an asset that Norfolk supplies to the region . . . which the other cities don't put a dime into,'' Oliver said.
``There ought to be ways they can join with us to shoulder part of the burden,'' Fraim said.
Oliver said the city loses ``enormous revenue'' by not having the 1,300-acre airport developed in a way that would produce tax receipts, such as housing or commercial development.
About 47 percent of Norfolk's acreage harbors tax-exempt facilities, like the Navy base, the port and the airport, Oliver said.
``We seem to carry a disproportionate burden compared to the rest of the region,'' Fraim said.
Fraim challenged the airport authority to help ``start developing strategies now for how to involve Virginia Beach and Chesapeake in long-range planning.''
Also during Thursday's retreat, the commissioners learned of possible opportunities for expanding air service from Norfolk.
Low-fare airline pioneer Southwest may be looking to expand, and Norfolk would be a good fit, said consultant Jon F. Ash, managing director of Global Aviation Associates of Washington.
Southwest recently entered the East Coast market, settling in Florida and the Northeast; the closest location to Norfolk is Baltimore. Ash said Southwest may eventually be looking to fill in the Mid-Atlantic region.
``They are very interested in the area,'' Ash said. ``If they are going to be in the area, we need to make sure they'll be here.''
However, just about every other major airport in the region will court the highly successful airline, he said.
Additionally, the airport should continue to try to land direct jet service from Norfolk to John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City, Ash said. Now, JFK, a major international gateway, is served only by commuter flights from Norfolk.
Increasing flights to Florida destinations, such as Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Miami and Jacksonville, also has possibilities, he said.
The airport would basically be looking to carriers already operating out of Norfolk for these services. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo