Prop2Jet
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Press Release
May 7, 2006
AIRPORT PARTNERSHIP MEANS CHICAGO ROUTES FROM MARION
By partnering with two upstate airports in a $3.2 million project, the Williamson County Regional Airport will be able to begin lights to Chicago- possibly by the end of summer.
Doug Kimmel, airport manager for Williamson County Regional Airport, said he and fellow airports at Quincy and Decatur, which will share service to Midway Airport in Chicago, had remained hopeful throughout the process. The trio of airports will be serviced by Great Lakes Airlines, a Wyoming-based carrier.
Williamson County managed to remain optimistic throughout the process, even when it seemed that the proposal was dead in the water months ago, Kimmel said.
"It's been a seven-month process and, as time went on, I think the more confident each of the airports became with thoughts of success," Kimmel said.
Area legislators, particularly State Rep. John Bradley, D-Marion, worked hard to see the airport become a local shortcut to the Windy City, Kimmel said.
It's been a culmination of a lot of hard work by a lot of people, and we appreciate Rep. Bradley's efforts in making this a success as well," Kimmel said. "He stood behind us and the proposal as well."
Bradley said bringing Chicago air service to Williamson County is a much-needed coup for the region.
"We've been trying to get Chicago air service for 20, 25 years out at the airport, and this is a great win for Southern Illinois and the Southern Illinois economy," Bradley said. It's another example of how far we've come in terms of regionalism, working together and building our economy in the last several years."
Kimmel said Great Lakes Airlines might be able to begin service between the three cities and Chicago in as little as 90 days.
"We are already working with the airline to get a contract drafted that would be between them and the state," Kimmel said. "The airline has told us within 90 days, so we're hoping by sometime in August to have flights to Chicago beginning."
With the funds present and just awaiting the governor's signature, Kimmel said the hard part is over, and that the airports-and the region- can celebrate a major accomplishment for Southern Illinois.
"We need to acknowledge the efforts this proposal has received throughout Southern Illinois- through phone calls, e-mails, meetings with legislators." Kimmel said.
"Even businesses and communities were able to convey the demand that exists for having air service to Chicago. All those people have made this work and appropriately, this has become their proposal, their success story. As we work toward initiating the service itself it will be critical to making the service succeed.
"One region, one vision' and this proposal has become a shining example of a project that has received such overwhelming support," Kimmel continued. "As time has gone on and more people have called and gotten involved, the greater confidence we all had for our expectations to be a success-it's been a great thing."
May 7, 2006
AIRPORT PARTNERSHIP MEANS CHICAGO ROUTES FROM MARION
By partnering with two upstate airports in a $3.2 million project, the Williamson County Regional Airport will be able to begin lights to Chicago- possibly by the end of summer.
Doug Kimmel, airport manager for Williamson County Regional Airport, said he and fellow airports at Quincy and Decatur, which will share service to Midway Airport in Chicago, had remained hopeful throughout the process. The trio of airports will be serviced by Great Lakes Airlines, a Wyoming-based carrier.
Williamson County managed to remain optimistic throughout the process, even when it seemed that the proposal was dead in the water months ago, Kimmel said.
"It's been a seven-month process and, as time went on, I think the more confident each of the airports became with thoughts of success," Kimmel said.
Area legislators, particularly State Rep. John Bradley, D-Marion, worked hard to see the airport become a local shortcut to the Windy City, Kimmel said.
It's been a culmination of a lot of hard work by a lot of people, and we appreciate Rep. Bradley's efforts in making this a success as well," Kimmel said. "He stood behind us and the proposal as well."
Bradley said bringing Chicago air service to Williamson County is a much-needed coup for the region.
"We've been trying to get Chicago air service for 20, 25 years out at the airport, and this is a great win for Southern Illinois and the Southern Illinois economy," Bradley said. It's another example of how far we've come in terms of regionalism, working together and building our economy in the last several years."
Kimmel said Great Lakes Airlines might be able to begin service between the three cities and Chicago in as little as 90 days.
"We are already working with the airline to get a contract drafted that would be between them and the state," Kimmel said. "The airline has told us within 90 days, so we're hoping by sometime in August to have flights to Chicago beginning."
With the funds present and just awaiting the governor's signature, Kimmel said the hard part is over, and that the airports-and the region- can celebrate a major accomplishment for Southern Illinois.
"We need to acknowledge the efforts this proposal has received throughout Southern Illinois- through phone calls, e-mails, meetings with legislators." Kimmel said.
"Even businesses and communities were able to convey the demand that exists for having air service to Chicago. All those people have made this work and appropriately, this has become their proposal, their success story. As we work toward initiating the service itself it will be critical to making the service succeed.
"One region, one vision' and this proposal has become a shining example of a project that has received such overwhelming support," Kimmel continued. "As time has gone on and more people have called and gotten involved, the greater confidence we all had for our expectations to be a success-it's been a great thing."
