Airport committee says expansion may help economy

"If you don't have transportation, you have limited opportunity for economic growth," said Steve Dukett, Lancaster Redevelopment Director.

Improving air travel is the goal of the Palmdale Regional Airport Advisory Committee, which met Wednesday to discuss the current situation and possible solutions.

When businesses talk to the city about relocating here, transportation is an issue, Dukett said.

"The issue of air travel is always brought up," he said.

Right now, the airport's only commercial tenant is Mesa/ United Express, following the departure of SkyWest Airlines at the end of February.

"I would personally love to see another carrier here," said Brandon Eaton, Mesa/United Express station manager. "I think competition is good."

"Right now there is not much choice."

Mesa/United Express has seen an increase in its passenger totals since the departure of its competitor.

"When they (SkyWest) pulled out, we obviously got the increase of 400 to 500 passengers," Eaton said. "The other passengers, I'm not sure where they went."

Eaton's own suggestion for increasing use of the airport is increased advertising to let local residents know what is available. As a matter of corporate policy, however, Mesa does not advertise it own service, he said.

Lancaster City Councilman Michael Singer stressed a regional approach in expanding use of the airport and stimulating economic development for the area.

"Do we want to be part of the Los Angeles hub or do we want to be a hub in our own right? We could be a destination in our own right."

Palmdale Deputy City Administrator Al McCord urged the use of the cities' redevelopment funds to promote expanded air service.

"There is money there," he said of the redevelopment funds.

"Transportation is an element that we all talk about," McCord said. "I don't think there's anybody in the world who would be against increasing air travel in and out of Palmdale."

Rather than try to attract another carrier that only serves Los Angeles International Airport - such as Mesa/United Express - efforts should be focused on bringing in a carrier with a different destination, particularly Sacramento or other cities north of the Antelope Valley.

Such expansion would allow the airport to draw passengers from the Santa Clarita and northern San Fernando valleys as well, said Rick Norris, president of the Greater Antelope Valley Economic Development Corp.

"Once we get the demand, the other airlines will have to look at Palmdale," he said.