Airport Ends Its Fourth Busiest Year Since 2000 By BRIAN PEARSON, Business Editor   |   Jan 04, 2009

Michael Russell of Boca Raton, Fla., sat in a rocking chair last week at Tyler Pounds Regional Airport and held hands with his mother, Jeraldine, while he waited to board a flight to head home after spending the holidays here.

Sure, the 52-year-old marketing consultant paid a little more for the plane ticket than if he had ended his flight in Dallas, but he said the extra expense was worth it.

"It's much easier because you don't have to worry about flying to Dallas or Shreveport and renting a car," Russell said. "It lessens the fatigue factor. It's more convenient."

Although boardings at Tyler Pounds in 2008 were down from last year, the past year still marked the airport's fourth busiest since at least 2000, according to airport and Federal Aviation Administration figures.

There were 78,482 boardings in 2007, with about 2,000 less than that expected for 2008 after December figures are factored in, said Davis Dixon, airport manager.

"I think we're doing pretty well here," Dixon said. "(The airlines) are maintaining good service, and they've had good passenger loads. People are aware of the airport, and the more they use it, the better it gets. Overall the numbers have been pretty good considering the (economic) situation throughout the rest of the country."

Earlier this year, the FAA honored Tyler Pounds as airport of the year for Texas, based on federal safety inspections, which found no deficiencies here, Dixon said. “We're pretty proud of that," he said. "It's tough to get."

Other highlights for 2008 included a $1 million runway visibility project and a $900,000 final phase of an airport perimeter road. In addition, American Eagle introduced regional jets to the two-carrier airport, which Continental Airlines also serves.

On Jan. 6, American Eagle will launch a new flight, bringing its number here to four. Continental offers six flights most weekdays and fewer on weekends.

Dixon said he hopes to score a piece of a proposed federal stimulus package for which airports might qualify next year.

The funding could pay for up to $20 million in airport improvements including a runway overlay, a general aviation park and a taxiway to service it.

He said demand is high for more hangars for private aircraft. He said there are enough hangars for 130 aircraft, but at least 20 to 25 more are needed.

"According to our inquiries, all their hangars are full and there is a waiting list," he said. "We'd like to be proactive for the future needs in a 10-year window.