JOPLIN, MO.--- The Federal Department Of Transportation has renewed its 2 year contract with the Joplin Regional Airport, allowing them to continue getting service through American Eagle Airlines.
As part of this extension, the Federal Department Of Transportation committed to using 50 seat passenger jets for service out of the airport.
Before this contract extension, jets with 44 seats were used to transport passengers. Airport manager Steve Stockam says this change will add 24 more available flight seats each day.
"Our load factors over the last few months have been pretty high, we have been in the 80 percentile so we know that there are opportunities to gain some additional passengers with a little extra capacity," said Steve Stockam, Joplin Regional Airport Manager. "So, those 50 passenger jets will definitely be appreciated."
Under the new contract the airport will receive $362,000 in federal grant money. That amount is down from $2.8 million the airport received the last time their contract was renewed.
Airport managers say this decrease in funding is a good thing because it's an indication of increasing stability in the Joplin market.
As part of this extension, the Federal Department Of Transportation committed to using 50 seat passenger jets for service out of the airport.
Before this contract extension, jets with 44 seats were used to transport passengers. Airport manager Steve Stockam says this change will add 24 more available flight seats each day.
"Our load factors over the last few months have been pretty high, we have been in the 80 percentile so we know that there are opportunities to gain some additional passengers with a little extra capacity," said Steve Stockam, Joplin Regional Airport Manager. "So, those 50 passenger jets will definitely be appreciated."
Under the new contract the airport will receive $362,000 in federal grant money. That amount is down from $2.8 million the airport received the last time their contract was renewed.
Airport managers say this decrease in funding is a good thing because it's an indication of increasing stability in the Joplin market.
