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APPLICATION UNDER 

SMALL COMMUNITY AIR SERVICE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

DOCKET DOT-OST-2013-0120

SUMMARY INFORMATION

All applicants must submit this Summary Information schedule, as the application 

coversheet, a completed standard form SF424 and the full application proposal on 

www.grants.gov.

For your preparation convenience, this Summary Information schedule is located at 

http://www.dot.gov/policy/aviation-policy/small-community-rural-air-service/SCASDP

A. PROVIDE THE LEGAL SPONSOR AND ITS DUN AND BRADSTREET (D&B) DATA UNIVERSAL 

NUMBERING SYSTEM (DUNS) NUMBER, INCLUDING +4, EMPLOYEE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER 

(EIN) OR TAX ID.

Legal Sponsor Name: Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority

DUNS Number: 791279636

EIN/Tax ID: 351641643

B. LIST THE NAME OF THE COMMUNITY OR CONSORTIUM OF COMMUNITIES APPLYING:

1. FORT WAYNE, INDIANA

2.

3.

4.

C. PROVIDE THE FULL AIRPORT NAME AND 3-LETTER IATA AIRPORT CODE FOR THE 

APPLICANT(S) AIRPORT(S) (ONLY PROVIDE CODES FOR THE AIRPORT(S) THAT ARE ACTUALLY 

SEEKING SERVICE).

1. Fort Wayne International Airport (FWA) 2.

3. 4.
2

D. LIST THE 2-DIGIT CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT CODE APPLICABLE TO THE SPONSORING 

ORGANIZATION, AND IF A CONSORTIUM, TO EACH PARTICIPATING COMMUNITY.

1. IN-03 2.

3. 4.

E. APPLICANT INFORMATION: (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)

Not a Consortium Interstate Consortium Intrastate Consortium

Community now receives subsidized Essential Air Service

Community (or Consortium member) previously received a Small Community Air 

Service Development Program Grant

If previous recipient: Year of grant(s): 2002/2010

F. PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS: (LIST ORGANIZATION NAMES)

PUBLIC PRIVATE

1. Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority 1. Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce

2. City of Fort Wayne 2.

3. 3.

4. 4.

5. 5.

G. PROJECT PROPOSAL: (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)

Marketing Upgrade Aircraft New Route

Travel Bank Service Restoration Subsidy

Surface Transportation Regional Service Revenue Guarantee

Launch New Carrier Start-up Cost Offset First Service

Study Secure Additional Service Other (explain below)

H. EXISTING LANDING AIDS AT LOCAL AIRPORT:

Full ILS Outer/Middle Marker Published Instrument Approach

Localizer Other (specify: CAT II ILS, REIL, PAPI, VOR)
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I. PROJECT COST: DO NOT ENTER TEXT IN SHADED AREA

LINE DESCRIPTION SUB TOTAL TOTAL AMOUNT

1 Federal amount requested $600,000

2 State cash financial contribution $0

Local cash financial contribution

3a Airport cash funds $0

3b Non-airport cash funds $1,460,000

3 Total local cash funds (3a + 3b) $1,460,000

4 TOTAL CASH FUNDING (1+2+3) $2,060,000

In-Kind contribution

5a Airport In-Kind contribution** $512,620

5b Other In-Kind contribution** $0

5 TOTAL IN-KIND CONTRIBUTION 

(5a + 5b)

$512,620

6 TOTAL PROJECT COST (4+5) $2,572,620

J. IN-KIND CONTRIBUTIONS**

For funds in lines 5a (Airport In-Kind contribution) and 5b (Other In-Kind contribution), please 

describe the source(s) of fund(s) and the value ($) of each.

5a: Fee waivers including landing fees ($77,850), apron fees ($15,570), variable common space 

($367,090), and boarding security ($52,110)

5b: N/A
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K. IS THIS APPLICATION SUBJECT TO REVIEW BY STATE UNDER EXECUTIVE ORDER 12372

PROCESS?

a. This application was made available to the state under the Executive Order 12372 

Process for review on (date) _____________.

b. Program is subject to E.O. 12372, but has not been selected by the state for review.

c. Program is not covered by E.O. 12372.

L. IS THE APPLICANT DELINQUENT ON ANY FEDERAL DEBT? (IF “YES”, PROVIDE 

EXPLANATION)

No Yes (explain) 

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________
APPLICATION UNDER THE SMALL COMMUNITY 

AIR SERVICE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

Docket DOT-OST-2013-0120 

Fort Wayne International Airport 

Fort Wayne, Indiana 

Legal sponsor: 

Fort Wayne-Allen County 

Airport Authority 

Contact: Jessica Miller 

3801 W Ferguson Rd, Suite 

209, Fort Wayne, IN 46809 

260-446-3423 · 

jmiller@fwairport.com 

APPLICATION 

UNDER THE 

SMALL 

COMMUNITY 

AIR 

SERVICE 

DEVELOPMENT 

PROGRAM

FORT 

WAYNE INTERNATIONAL 

AIRPORT

Prepared by 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Section 1. Application Highlights ..................................................... 1

Air Service Deficiency to the East Coast ........................................................ 1

Solid Strategic Plan with Significant Community Commitment....................... 1

Experienced and Successful Partnership ...................................................... 2

Material Benefits ............................................................................................ 2

Section 2. Air Service Environment ................................................. 3

FWA Catchment Area .................................................................................... 3

Proximity to Other Airports ............................................................................. 3

Robust Economy ............................................................................................ 4

Section 3. Air Service – Existing/Historical ..................................... 6

Existing Air Service ........................................................................................ 6

Historical Air Service ...................................................................................... 6

Past Air Service Development Efforts ............................................................ 8

Section 4. Air Service Needs and Deficiencies ............................... 9

Underserved Market to the East .................................................................... 9

Lack of Seat Availability ............................................................................... 10

Higher Than Average Airfares ...................................................................... 10

Section 5. Strategic Plan – Air Service ......................................... 12

Project Goals ............................................................................................... 12

Proposed Air Service ................................................................................... 12

Market Analysis ............................................................................................ 12

Alternate Plan .............................................................................................. 14

Previous Grant Recipient - New Project and Goals ..................................... 14

Section 6. Strategic Plan – Implementation and Funding ............ 15

Public-Private Partnership............................................................................ 15

Incentive and Support Plan .......................................................................... 15

Strategic Plan Funding ................................................................................. 17

Project Continuation and Sustainability ........................................................ 17

Section 7. Schedule and Monitoring .............................................. 18

Strategic Plan Schedule and Milestones ...................................................... 18

Strategic Plan Monitoring Program .............................................................. 19

Appendix A. Letters of Support ...................................................... 20
APPLICATION 

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SECTION 1. APPLICATION 

HIGHLIGHTS

he Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority, the sponsor of this Small 

Community Air Service Development Program (SCASDP) grant application for 

Fort Wayne International Airport (FWA), in cooperation with its private 

partners, is requesting $600,000 in federal assistance to implement a $2,572,620 air 

service initiative. The City of Fort Wayne, Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of 

Commerce, and the Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority have formed a publicprivate partnership. This partnership has a history of air service success, including a 

2002 and 2010 SCASDP grant awards. This application is requesting 

assistance with a different project and goal than either of those 

previous grants. 

The goal of this grant application is to acquire nonstop eastbound 

service to a major connecting hub. To achieve this goal, the Strategic 

Plan targets nonstop service by American Airlines/US Airways to 

Philadelphia International Airport. 

AIR SERVICE DEFICIENCY TO THE EAST COAST

With significant business needs to cities in the East/Northeast, the 

Fort Wayne area has a need for nonstop access to a major East 

Coast destination and connections to destinations beyond. Eastbound 

capacity from FWA has declined significantly over the past decade, 

leaving a significant need for the Fort Wayne community. Without 

nonstop service, Fort Wayne area air travelers destined for the east 

and northeast markets are forced to connect over Detroit, circuitous 

connections over Chicago or Atlanta, or drive to alternate airports, 

creating significantly longer travel times and higher travel costs. 

FWA’s average, one-way domestic airfares are $18 higher than the 

average for the state of Indiana, $25 higher than the Great Lakes region average, and 

$29 higher than the national average. Airfares have increased 34 percent over the 

last 10 years. 

 

SOLID STRATEGIC PLAN WITH SIGNIFICANT COMMUNITY COMMITMENT

The Strategic Plan for meeting the project goal is sound, sustainable, and supported 

by the Fort Wayne community. The Strategic Plan is supported by the following: 

 : For calendar year 2012, Philadelphia was one of the largest Large market

connect markets from FWA, with an average of 12.1 passengers daily each 

way (PDEW) or over 8,800 origin and destination passengers annually. A 

further 25.7 PDEW, or over 18,700 annual passengers, are utilizing other 

T This section addresses: 

 Project goals 

 Description of the 

Strategic Plan 

 Highlights of the grant 

application 

Non-airport revenue 

sources are funding 

71 percent, 

$1,460,000, of the 

cash requirement. 
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airports such as Indianapolis International Airport for travel 

needs to Philadelphia (i.e. leaked passengers). 

 : To support the Tested and proven support program

Strategic Plan, the risk sharing plan proposed by the publicprivate partnership includes a community-funded marketing 

campaign, fee waivers, and a revenue guarantee. 

 Non-airport revenue sources funding 71 percent of cash 

requirement: Seventy-seven percent of total project funds 

will be contributed by the Fort Wayne community including: 

$1,460,000 cash from non-airport revenue sources, and 

$512,620 from FWA for in-kind fee waivers. 

 : The schedule proposed will ensure timely use of Realistic timetable

grant funds. 

EXPERIENCED AND SUCCESSFUL PARTNERSHIP

The City of Fort Wayne, the Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority, and the 

Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce are a proven partnership. These partners 

have experience with air service development efforts and have been instrumental in 

the recruitment and growth of Allegiant Air at FWA. This public-private partnership 

worked together on two successful grants, a 2002 award that brought in ATA 

Connection service to Chicago Midway and a 2010 award that was used to install 

joint-use infrastructure at each gate. 

Since 1998, through a partnership with the Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of 

Commerce, the Airport Authority has employed an individual dedicated to air service 

development. Additionally, in partnership with the Economic Alliance, an individual is 

dedicated to the area of airport development. Both these individuals play key roles 

within the business community, while promoting the best interest of FWA. 

MATERIAL BENEFITS

The FWA catchment area includes a population of 1,166,840. Within a 60-minute 

drive the population is 750,000 and expands to greater than 1.8 million within a 90-

minute drive. Fort Wayne has a robust and diverse economy, from manufacturing to 

medical to financial services. One of the largest employers in the Fort Wayne area is 

General Motors, which employs over 3,600 people. BF Goodrich also has a major 

facility in the Fort Wayne area. The two largest employers are Parkview Health 

Systems and Lutheran Health Network. Combined to employ over 9,000, these are 

major players in the local economy with high air travel needs. 

There are more than a dozen colleges and universities surrounding Fort Wayne with 

over 34,000 enrolled students. Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne has 

more than 14,000 students and nearly 1,000 faculty and staff. The air service 

improvement plan proposed in this grant application will benefit a broad segment of 

the traveling public, including business, educational institutions and tourism. 

The City of Fort 

Wayne, the Fort 

Wayne-Allen County 

Airport Authority, 

and the Greater Fort 

Wayne Chamber of 

Commerce are a 

proven partnership.
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SECTION 2. AIR SERVICE 

ENVIRONMENT

his section provides a profile of the Fort Wayne community highlighting the 

economic and demographic attributes of the FWA catchment area. It identifies the 

businesses, institutions, government branches, and population that will benefit 

from improved access to the national air transportation network. 

FWA CATCHMENT AREA 

FWA’s airport catchment area is made up of the Allen County area, extends north to the 

Michigan border and east into Ohio. Overall, the catchment area (identified in blue in 

Exhibit 2.1) includes a population of 1,166,840. Within a 60-minute drive the population 

is 750,000 and expands to greater than 1.8 million within a 90-minute drive. 

EXHIBIT 2.1 AIRPORT CATCHMENT AREA 

PROXIMITY TO OTHER AIRPORTS

Based on a study completed by Mead & Hunt for calendar year 2012, an estimated 30 

percent of FWA catchment area passengers, 446,536 origin and destination passengers 

annually, use Indianapolis International Airport and an additional 476,440 annual 

passengers use other airports including Chicago, Columbus, Dayton, Detroit and South 

Bend instead of the local airport. 

T This section addresses: 

Description of the Fort 

Wayne community in 

relation to air service to 

demonstrate the benefit of 

the Strategic Plan to a 

broad segment of the 

traveling public.
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The closest alternate airports to the Fort Wayne community are 

almost 100 miles distant, most requiring over a two-hour, one-way 

drive. Table 2.1 provides a comparison of the mileage and drive time 

from Fort Wayne proper. FWA is a non-hub airport. The closest 

medium hub airport is Indianapolis at 135 miles distant or over a twohour drive. The closest large hub airport is Chicago O’Hare which is 

almost 200 miles away and over a 3.5 hour drive. Excessive drive 

distances to alternate airports along with high airfares are the key 

determinates of the need for improved air service. 

ROBUST ECONOMY

The Fort Wayne community is focused on economic and business 

development. Fort Wayne has a robust and diverse economy, from 

manufacturing to medical to financial services. As an area of the 

country that was hit hard by the economic downturn in 2008, the 

current economy continues to grow and prosper. The area’s key 

employers dependent on air service are shown in Table 2.2. 

Manufacturing/Telecommunications 

Fort Wayne is home to many manufacturers, all of which have 

significant travel needs. One of the largest employers in the Fort 

Wayne area is General Motors, which employs over 3,600 people at 

its full-size, pick-up manufacturing plant. BF Goodrich also has a 

major facility in the Fort Wayne area, producing automotive tires. 

There are significant aerospace manufacturers, including BAE 

Systems Platform Solutions and Raytheon Systems. The 

telecommunication industry is also strong with Frontier 

Communications and ITT Exelis each employing more than 

1,200 people. 

Financial 

Financial firms generate a significant amount of air travel. One of the larger employers in 

the Fort Wayne area is Lincoln Financial, employing nearly 2,000 people. Lincoln 

Financial’s corporate headquarters is in the Philadelphia area and generates significant 

travel demand between Fort Wayne and Philadelphia. 

Medical 

The two largest employers in the Fort Wayne area are Parkview Health Systems and 

Lutheran Health Network. Combined to employ over 9,000, these are major players in 

the local economy with high air travel needs. Nearby Warsaw, Indiana is generally known 

as the orthopedic capital of the world. With many orthopedic manufacturers and support 

companies, these businesses also need better eastbound access. 

TABLE 2.1 DRIVE TIMES TO ALTERNATE 

AIRPORTS 

AIRPORT MILES DRIVE 

TIME 

Toledo, OH (TOL) 99 1:45 

South Bend, IN (SBN) 96 2:07 

Indianapolis, IN (IND) 135 2:13 

Dayton, OH (DAY) 119 2:22 

Columbus, OH (CMH) 161 3:07 

Chicago, IL (ORD) 190 3:37 

Source: Microsoft MapPoint 2010 

TABLE 2.2 LARGE AIR SERVICE DEPENDENT 

EMPLOYERS 

INDUSTRY/COMPANY EMPLOYEES 

Manufacturing

General Motors 3,610 

BF Goodrich 1,580 

BAE Systems Platform Solutions 1,015 

Vera Bradley 955 

Raytheon Systems 950 

Financial/Telecom

Lincoln Financial 1,970 

Frontier Communications 1,564 

ITT Exelis 1,203 

Healthcare/Education

Parkview Health Systems 4,710 

Lutheran Health Network 4,301 

Depuy Orthopaedics, Inc. 1,200 

Zimmer, Inc 2,800 

Biomet, Inc 1,700 
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Local Government and Higher Education 

Not only will improved air service be used by manufacturing, financial, 

and medical industries, it will serve a broad spectrum of government 

and institutional employees as well. These sectors are growing to 

support the needs of the expanding population. There are more than 

a dozen colleges and universities surrounding Fort Wayne with over 

34,000 enrolled students. 

One of those universities is the Indiana University-Purdue University 

Fort Wayne with more than 14,000 students and nearly 1,000 faculty 

and staff. Other colleges in the area include: 

 University of St. Francis 

 Indiana Tech with over 5,000 students 

 ITT Technical Institute 

 Ivy Tech Community College with a FAA-certified Aviation Maintenance 

Technology program 

 Trine University for technical education 

 Harrison College for business education 

Tourism 

As Indiana’s second-largest city, Fort Wayne is home to world-class attractions, events, 

and family getaways. Fort Wayne is known as the “City of Festivals”. All year long, 

residents and visitors enjoy festivals and community events, including: Johnny 

Appleseed Festival, Three Rivers Festival, GermanFest, RiverFest, BBQ Ribfest, 

Greekfest, Grabill Country Fair, Taste of the Arts, Vera Bradley Outlet Sale and 

many more. 

Fort Wayne 

Accolades:

 “First in the Nation 

for Job Creation” 

Fiscal Times 

 “One of the Best 

Cities in the Nation” 

National League 

Cities; three-time All 

American City 

Winner 

 “Best Place to Raise 

Your Kids!” 

Business Week 

 “Fifth Safest City in 

the US!” 

Insuranceproviders.

com 
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SECTION 3. AIR SERVICE –

EXISTING/HISTORICAL

his section presents a record of existing and historical air service at FWA. The 

existing air service discussion highlights: nonstop destinations, airlines, service 

frequency, and equipment types. The historical air service section includes a 

description of historical destinations, traffic levels, service providers, and extenuating 

factors that have affected air service. FWA’s past air service development efforts are 

also covered in this section. 

EXISTING AIR SERVICE

Four airlines served FWA during the first half of 

2013: Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Delta Air 

Lines, and United Airlines (Table 3.1). 

Allegiant offers twice weekly service to four 

markets: Myrtle Beach, Orlando-Sanford, 

Punta Gorda, and St. Petersburg with 166-seat 

MD-80 aircraft. American offers service to two 

destinations with regional jets: Chicago O’Hare 

and Dallas/Fort Worth. Delta serves three 

destinations with 50-seat regional jets: Atlanta, 

Detroit, and Minneapolis. Finally, United 

operates regional jet service to 

Chicago O’Hare. Looking forward, there are 

few air service changes currently scheduled in 

the FWA market. 

HISTORICAL AIR SERVICE

Air service at FWA over the last 10 years has 

markedly declined, with the loss of two 

eastbound hubs, Cincinnati and Cleveland. 

The following subsections discuss historical 

destinations and service providers as well as 

extenuating factors that have impacted air 

service at FWA. 

T

TABLE 3.1 CURRENT AIR SERVICE 

HUB CARRIER AIRCRAFT WEEKLY 

FLIGHTS 

WEEKLY 

SEATS 

Atlanta, GA (ATL) Delta Regional Jet 21 1,050 

Chicago, IL (ORD) American Regional Jet 27 1,224 

United Regional Jet 21 1,050 

Dallas, TX (DFW) American Regional Jet 14 700 

Detroit, MI (DTW) Delta Regional Jet 34 1,700 

Minneapolis, MN 

(MSP) Delta Regional Jet 14 700 

Myrtle Beach, SC 

(MYR) Allegiant Narrow body 2 332 

Orlando, FL (SFB) Allegiant Narrow body 2 332 

Punta Gorda, FL 

(PGD) Allegiant Narrow body 2 332 

St. Petersburg, FL 

(PIE) Allegiant Narrow body 2 332 

Total 139 7,752 

Source: Diio Mi; July 2013 

This section addresses: 

 Description of existing 

air service 

 Synopsis of historical 

air service 

 Description of air 

service development 

efforts 
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Destinations, Service Providers, and Traffic Levels 

Historically, FWA has offered service to 17 different destinations over 

the past 10 years. In 2004, FWA had service to significantly more 

connecting hubs, with service to nine different hubs on six airlines. In 

2013, FWA has service to only six connecting hubs. Since 2004, the 

number of annual departures has decreased 50 percent, from 12,649 

annual departures to just 6,377 (Table 3.2). Seats peaked in 2004 

with 532,241, while 2013 has just 359,032 scheduled annual seats. 

Exhibit 3.1 provides a comparison of seats with onboard passengers. 

While seats have declined, passengers have remained relatively 

steady and have recently increased showing strong market demand. 

EXHIBIT 3.1 HISTORICAL SEATS AND PASSENGERS 

TABLE 3.2 HISTORICAL DESTINATIONS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS 

DESTINATION AIRLINE SCHEDULED ANNUAL DEPARTURES 

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 

Atlanta, GA (ATL) Delta 1,096 1,301 1,047 1,023 1,029 725 764 920 1,121 1,060 

Chicago, IL (MDW) American Trans Air 834 55 

Chicago, IL (ORD) American 1,457 1,452 1,453 1,715 1,661 1,133 1,046 1,255 1,235 1,297 

United 1,535 1,767 1,765 1,656 1,307 1,036 1,067 1,066 1,052 1,035 

Cincinnati, OH, (CVG) Delta 2,494 2,099 1,451 1,263 1,054 967 694 418 

Cleveland, OH (CLE) Continental 1,111 1,189 1,226 1,262 1,213 656 

Dallas, TX (DFW) American 729 796 730 856 713 730 730 769 822 716 

Detroit, MI (DTW) Delta 2,506 2,402 1,875 1,773 1,813 1,735 1,663 1,629 1,576 1,500 

Fort Lauderdale, FL (FLL) Allegiant 6 43 

Indianapolis, IN (IND) American Trans Air 267 

Las Vegas, NV (LAS) Allegiant 102 21 

Minneapolis, MN (MSP) Delta 241 229 154 302 421 376 

Myrtle Beach, SC (MYR) Allegiant 42 26 26 26 

Orlando, FL (SFB) Allegiant 105 97 109 131 124 120 119 

Phoenix, AZ (AZA) Allegiant 12 52 

Pittsburgh, PA (PIT) US Airways 887 

Punta Gorda, FL (PGD) Allegiant 53 110 

St Petersburg, FL (PIE) Allegiant 71 66 126 149 145 147 138 

Total departures 12,649 11,328 9,547 9,844 9,310 7,446 6,440 6,654 6,573 6,377 

Total seats 532,241 509,855 417,118 459,967 457,917 380,060 346,002 360,359 359,244 359,032

Source: Diio Mi 

200,000

250,000

300,000

350,000

400,000

450,000

500,000

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

12-Months Ended

Onboards Seats
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Extenuating Factors That Have Affected Air Service 

Several factors have affected air service at FWA. First, geographic 

location has always been a major influence. The Fort Wayne 

community is located in northeast Indiana, with Chicago to the 

northwest, Indianapolis to the southwest, Toledo to the northeast and 

Columbus to the southeast. This leads to a significant number of 

passengers driving to other airports instead of using FWA. FWA has 

also been greatly impacted in the last decade by airline bankruptcies 

and mergers. Most of the destinations that FWA has lost during this 

time have been due to airlines ceasing operations or scaling back 

operations at hubs after mergers. 

PAST AIR SERVICE DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS 

Over the last decade, the Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority and the Greater Fort 

Wayne Chamber of Commerce have been very active in air service development efforts 

(Table 3.3). Despite those efforts, air service has been declining with the loss of 

Cincinnati and Cleveland service in the last four years. While hub service has declined, 

the community has had success in recruiting Allegiant Air point-to-point service in several 

new markets. 

TABLE 3.3 PAST AIR SERVICE DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS 

YEAR INITIATIVE 

2013 

Air Service Education (AAAE National Air Service Conference, Community 

Meetings) 

Airline Conferences (Network USA, ACI-NA Jumpstart, Allegiant) 

Airline Meetings (Delta Air Lines HDQ Meeting) 

Market Analyses (Leakage Study, Business Travel Survey, Route Forecasts) 

Monitoring (Quarterly, Airfare) 

Regional Air Service (Committee Formation, Host Regional Air Service breakfast) 

2012 

Airline Conferences (Allegiant Air, Network USA, ACI-NA JumpStart, 2012 Airport 

Roundtable Conference, Air Service Luncheon) 

Airline Meetings (United Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines HDQ Meetings) 

Market Analysis (Washington, DC Air Service Study) 

2011 

Airline Conferences (Allegiant Air, Network USA, ACI-NA JumpStart, Boyd 

Conference, Air Service Luncheon) 

Airline Meetings (United Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines HDQ Meetings) 

Airport Development (Installation of Shared-Use IT Platform for Airline Counters & 

Gates) 

2010 

Airline Conferences (Allegiant Air, Network USA, ACI-NA JumpStart, Boyd 

Conference, Air Service Luncheon) 

Airline Meetings (United Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines HDQ Meetings) 
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SECTION 4. AIR SERVICE NEEDS 

AND DEFICIENCIES

he Air Service Needs and Deficiencies section identifies the deficiencies in air 

service at FWA and what air service improvements are needed to correct these 

deficiencies. This section demonstrates that the Fort Wayne community is 

underserved, and the average airfares in this community are higher than other 

comparable communities. 

UNDERSERVED MARKET TO THE EAST

Like most airports of its size, FWA has a number of 

air service needs. Based on a study by Mead & 

Hunt of retention/diversion and input from the 

community, the most critical need for both business 

and leisure travelers is nonstop service to a major 

East Coast hub. With significant numbers of 

passengers traveling to the east, northeast and 

internationally, additional capacity and connecting 

options are needed from FWA to the East Coast. 

On average, 63 percent of FWA catchment area 

travelers use an alternate airport. When reviewing retention by FAA region, the East and 

Northeast regions had some of the lowest retention levels of any area (Table 4.1). 

FWA’s leakage to other airports continues to increase with 50 percent fewer departures 

today at FWA compared to 2004. 

There is a clear need for additional connecting opportunities at a major hub to allow for 

passengers to utilize the local airport. Service to Philadelphia will help add better 

connections to the East and Northeast regions, and therefore help to facilitate an 

improvement in retention for FWA. 

TABLE 4.1 RETENTION BY FAA REGION 

FAA REGION FWA 

RETENTION % 

TRUE MARKET 

PASSENGERS 

Southeast 45 438,425 

West 30 250,876 

East 31 182,130 

Southwest 38 174,380 

International 31 147,420 

Northwest 30 102,774 

Great Lakes 51 82,633 

Northeast 35 53,302 

Central 43 35,826 

Alaska 32 3,453 

Total 37 1,471,218 

T This section addresses: 

Description of the Fort 

Wayne community’s air 

service needs and 

deficiencies. 
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LACK OF SEAT AVAILABILITY

In 2012, FWA’s load factors to markets providing eastern connectivity were very high. 

Without nonstop service, Fort Wayne area air travelers destined for the east and 

northeast markets are forced to connect over Detroit or make circuitous connections 

over Chicago or Atlanta. Table 4.2 shows the average load factors by month from 

January through December 2012. The hubs that provide the primary eastern 

connectivity are highlighted for reference. While Detroit loads averaged a reasonable 76 

percent in 2012, Detroit connecting opportunities have been declining. Atlanta, while 

circuitous, experienced loads exceeding 80 percent in nine months of the year, with 

three of those months greater than 85 percent. 

With the existing service being provided on smaller regional jets with 50 seats or less, 

high load factors on aircraft of this size mean there are few if any seats available, 

especially on the higher demand morning flights. This suggests that rejected demand 

occurs on many flights. These high load factors indicate there is a significant need for 

improved connectivity to eastern destinations. The option of connecting via an additional 

hub for eastbound travel would greatly improve the quality of catchment area air service 

and aid economic and market development. 

TABLE 4.2 FWA AVERAGE LOAD FACTORS BY MARKET 

MONTH LOAD FACTOR 

ATL DFW DTW MSP MYR ORD PGD PIE SFB 

Jan-12 83 69 71 58 67 96 95 

Feb-12 83 76 75 65 74 95 96 

Mar-12 81 79 75 75 72 95 95 

Apr-12 80 76 69 68 69 89 88 

May-12 81 78 79 77 80 76 93 93 

Jun-12 78 80 76 80 90 74 92 92 

Jul-12 72 78 67 77 91 72 93 92 94 

Aug-12 71 72 73 80 86 71 88 91 90 

Sep-12 86 74 81 84 77 87 84 84 

Oct-12 88 80 81 89 75 91 92 94 

Nov-12 88 79 81 85 71 91 89 87 

Dec-12 84 78 78 79 70 87 87 88 

Average 81 76 76 77 88 72 89 92 91 

Source: Diio Mi HIGHER THAN 

AVERAGE AIRFARES 

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) database for calendar year 2012 shows 

FWA with an average gross roundtrip fare of $447, significantly higher than the national 

average of $374. Allegiant Air’s low-fare point-to-point service significantly reduce FWA’s 

average fare, and excluding Allegiant Air, the average fare for 2012 according to Diio 

would have been 13 percent higher. 

When looking specifically at the fares to Philadelphia, FWA’s average fare is also higher 

than average. For markets between 450 and 650 miles from Philadelphia, the average 

one-way fare according to Diio Mi for 2012 was $203. FWA, at 529 miles, had an 

average one-way fare to Philadelphia of $238, or 17 percent higher than average. 
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Exhibit 4.1 provides a regional comparison of average fares. Since 2005, FWA’s 

average fare (excluding Allegiant) has exceeded all other comparison airports with the 

exception of Toledo. FWA’s average fare is significantly higher than Indianapolis which is 

the primary diversionary airport for the catchment area. 

 

EXHIBIT 4.1 REGIONAL AVERAGE FARE COMPARISON 

Source: Diio Mi 

Table 4.3 provides a comparison to Indianapolis and South Bend, two of the primary 

diversionary airports. Comparisons are also provided for the state of Indiana, Great 

Lakes region, and US average. FWA’s domestic average fare is $17 and $22 higher oneway than South Bend and Indianapolis, respectively, for calendar year 2012. FWA’s 

average domestic fare also exceeds the state, region and national averages. FWA’s 

fares have increased 34 percent over the 10-year period. 

TABLE 4.3 AVERAGE ONE-WAY FARE PAID 

 AVERAGE DOMESTIC FARE FWA $ 

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 DIFF 

FWA $154 $150 $174 $202 $189 $189 $164 $180 $195 $205 

Indianapolis, IN $124 $122 $123 $140 $141 $146 $133 $147 $169 $184 $22 

South Bend, IN $132 $139 $159 $159 $154 $164 $149 $166 $179 $188 $17 

Indiana $129 $128 $131 $147 $147 $152 $138 $153 $173 $187 $18 

Great Lakes Region $137 $134 $136 $146 $145 $159 $141 $157 $171 $180 $25 

US $134 $131 $135 $147 $147 $157 $143 $157 $170 $176 $29 

Source: Diio Mi; Domestic only 

 

$120

$140

$160

$180

$200

$220

$240

$260

$280

FWA

TOL

DAY

SBN

IND

CMH

ORD
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SECTION 5. STRATEGIC PLAN –

AIR SERVICE

he previous section, Air Service Needs and Deficiencies, identified nonstop East 

Coast service as the Fort Wayne community’s primary air service need. This 

section establishes the project goal and lays out a plan for its achievement. An indepth analysis of the proposed air service is summarized in this section along with an 

alternate plan. Because FWA participated in two prior grant awards, a summary of those 

projects and how they differed from and compliment this application is presented at the 

end of this section. 

PROJECT GOALS

The goal of this SCASDP application is to acquire nonstop East Coast service to 

adequately serve the FWA catchment area’s needs and reduce the number of 

passengers diverting to other airports. 

PROPOSED AIR SERVICE

The Fort Wayne area would be best served with nonstop service to 

Philadelphia International Airport provided by American Airlines/US 

Airways. With the pending merger between American and US 

Airways, which is set to be completed in the third quarter of 2013, the 

new American Airlines will have a major hub in Philadelphia with more 

than 474 daily departures to 119 destinations worldwide. This places 

Philadelphia as one of the larger hubs in the US. 

MARKET ANALYSIS

A detailed market analysis has been completed for American Airlines/US Airways service 

to Philadelphia International Airport. Key points of the analysis are described below. 

Projections were completed for a two roundtrip schedule on a 50-seat Canadair Regional 

Jet 200. The operating and market assumptions are listed below: 

 A share of the existing passengers for calendar year 2012 was allocated to the 

new service. Passenger retention improvement is based on the 2013 

Passenger Demand Analysis for FWA. 

 The analysis uses calendar year 2012 average fares for FWA. 

 American Eagle/US Airways Express fully allocated operating costs between 

FWA and Philadelphia were estimated using Diio Mi Form 41 data for American 

Eagle, adjusted by the manufacturer’s cost curve and feedback from 

operating carriers. 

T This section addresses: 

 A Strategic Plan for 

meeting FWA’s air 

service needs and 

deficiencies 

 A discussion of how 

the new goal materially 

differs from FWA’s 

previously awarded 

projects 

 Alternate plan to meet 

the goals 
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Table 5.1 provides a 

summary of the American 

Airlines/US Airways 

Philadelphia market analysis 

for two roundtrips per day on 

a 50-seat regional jet. 

Passenger projections were 

based on a mature market 

(i.e., passenger projections 

would be at 100 percent on 

the first day of service). Two 

roundtrips per day are 

projected to generate $1,863,207 (18 percent margin) in segment profit for American 

Airlines. The FWA-Philadelphia route is forecast to be a strong economic performer for 

both American Eagle and American after ramp-up is complete. With such a strong 

segment and system profit margin, this market will be self-sustaining.

Although it is estimated that American Airlines/US Airways will earn a profit after the 

FWA-Philadelphia market matures, American/US Airways will not generate this amount 

of profit at start-up. New markets typically have losses during the first year or two of 

operation; hence the need for a revenue guarantee to temper the airline’s risk. The 

uncertainty in the airline industry including the fluctuating cost of fuel will play a large part 

in the revenue guarantee negotiations with American/US Airways. 

For purposes of estimating the shortfall, for the first month of service, it is estimated that 

60 percent of the projected passengers in a mature market will be attained. It is 

estimated that the market will reach full maturity after the first nine months of service. 

The ramp-up period is speculative and may differ depending on the effectiveness of the 

marketing campaign. To calculate the effect of the ramp-up period on net profit, Table 

5.2 shows revenue by month with an April 2014 start date, the associated cost per 

month, and the net shortfall. With a first year estimated cost of $8.4 million, the service 

will incur an estimated shortfall of over $900,000. 

TABLE 5.2 SERVICE RAMP-UP/START-UP PERIOD 

MONTH 

ESTIMATED 

PAX 

RAMPUP % RAMP-UP 

ADJ PAX 

LOAD 

FACTOR REVENUE 

ESTIMATED 

COST 

NET 

SURPLUS/SHORTFALL 

April 4,277 60.0% 2,566 43% $394,894 $690,060 ($295,166) 

May 4,664 64.4% 3,006 48% $462,539 $713,062 ($250,523) 

June 5,578 68.9% 3,842 64% $591,303 $690,060 ($98,757) 

July 5,411 73.3% 3,968 64% $610,622 $713,062 ($102,440) 

August 5,362 77.8% 4,170 67% $641,785 $713,062 ($71,277) 

September 4,712 82.2% 3,874 65% $596,193 $690,060 ($93,867) 

October 5,117 86.7% 4,435 72% $682,437 $713,062 ($30,625) 

November 4,645 91.1% 4,232 71% $651,227 $690,060 ($38,833) 

December 4,265 95.6% 4,076 66% $627,195 $713,062 ($85,867) 

January 4,232 100.0% 4,232 68% $723,612 $713,062 $10,550 

February 4,095 100.0% 4,095 73% $700,257 $644,056 $56,201 

March 4,708 100.0% 4,708 76% $804,984 $713,062 $91,922 

Total 57,065 N/A 47,204 65% $7,487,049 $8,395,730 ($908,681) 

Note: Ramp-up = 60 percent first month increasing up to 100% in the first nine months with a 10% reduction in fares during the start-up period. 

TABLE 5.1 FWA-PHILADELPHIA MARKET ANALYSIS 

ITEM STATISTICAL CATEGORY FWA-PHL 

1 Roundtrips 2 

2 Seats/departure 50 

3 Onboard passengers 57,065 

4 Annual seats 73,000 

5 Load Factor 78.2% 

6 Average Segment fare $171 

7 Segment 1 revenue $10,258,937 

8 System revenue $16,528,118 

9 Segment 1 cost $8,395,730 

10 System cost $10,769,433 

11 Segment 1 profit/loss $1,863,207 

12 Segment 1 margin 18% 

13 System profit/loss $5,758,685 

14 System margin 35% 
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ALTERNATE PLAN

If the public-private partnership is unable to obtain American Airlines/US Airways service 

to Philadelphia, the secondary targets are: 

 United Airlines’ service to Washington Dulles International Airport or Newark 

International Airport 

 Delta Air Lines service to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport. 

Other hub airports on the East Coast that can improve connections and reduce leakage 

will also meet the goals of this project. 

PREVIOUS GRANT RECIPIENT - NEW PROJECT AND GOALS

Building on the community’s previous air service successes, this project will alleviate the 

most pressing air transportation constraints facing the Fort Wayne community. Table 5.3

compares this application with prior SCASDP projects. 

TABLE 5.3 SCASDP PROJECT COMPARISONS 

YEAR GOALS PLAN OUTCOME STATUS 

2002 Add low-cost 

carrier service 

ATA service to 

Chicago Midway 

Service initiated in 2004 and continued 

until ATA’s cessation of operations in 

2005 

Complete/ 

closed out 

2010 Lower airline 

costs at FWA 

Install shared use IT platform 

at ticket counters and gates 

Successful implementation of the shared 

use IT platform. 

Complete/ 

closed out 

2013 Acquire nonstop service 

to an eastern hub 

American Airlines/US Airways 

service to Philadelphia Pending Pending 

The SCASDP has been very successful for Fort Wayne. The 2002 award to help bring in 

low-cost service with ATA was successful, with service initiation in 2004. The service 

was only in the market for less than a year; however, service was pulled due to forces 

outside of the control of FWA when ATA ceased all operations in 2005. The 2010 award 

was also successfully implemented by FWA. The goal of reducing airline costs at FWA 

was achieved after installation of a shared-use IT platform at ticket counters and gates in 

2011/2012. This project clearly has different goals than the previous SCASDP 

grant projects. 
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SECTION 6. STRATEGIC PLAN –

IMPLEMENTATION AND FUNDING

here the previous section provided details and analysis associated with the 

proposed service, this section, Strategic Plan – Implementation and Funding, 

details the public-private partnership’s plan for effectively addressing the 

associated risk. Organization, community involvement, risk mitigation, and a plan to 

continue the project if it is not self-sustaining after the grant expires are included. 

PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP

The Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority, a public entity, administrator of FWA, 

and the sponsor of this application, has teamed up with the City of Fort Wayne and the 

Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce to create a public-private partnership. 

Letters of support are included in Appendix A to document 

each partner’s commitment to accomplishing the Strategic 

Plan. These three organizations have a long history of 

working together to improve air service at FWA. 

Reference Table 6.1 each member of the public-private 

partnership has an active role in the Strategic Plan. As the 

grant sponsor, the Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport 

Authority will manage the grant, execute all federal grant 

offers, process all associated reimbursement requests, and 

submit quarterly progress updates to the US DOT, while the City of Fort Wayne will be a 

key contributor to the funding of the Minimum Revenue Guarantee. The Greater Fort 

Wayne Chamber of Commerce will develop and manage the marketing program. 

INCENTIVE AND SUPPORT PLAN

As shown in Table 5.2, page 13, it is highly unlikely that an airline will breakeven during 

the first year of service due to passenger ramp-up and service awareness. While FWA 

has been able to demonstrate on its current route structure a consistently profitable 

operation, this incentive and support plan has two primary objectives: first, to effectively 

market the service to the general public; and second, to offset an airline’s liability during 

the passenger ramp-up period. In short, the public-private partnership’s task is to market 

the improved service and cover the airline’s risk while passenger traffic builds. Exhibit 

6.1, next page, provides a depiction of the comprehensive incentive plan FWA will 

provide for nonstop Philadelphia service. 

W 

TABLE 6.1 ROLES OF THE PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERS 

PARTNER ROLE 

Public: 

Fort Wayne-Allen County 

Airport Authority (sponsor) 

Grant administration; Strategic 

Plan monitoring and 

performance tracking 

City of Fort Wayne Support for funding Minimum 

Revenue Guarantee 

Private: 

Greater Fort Wayne Chamber 

of Commerce 

Develop and administer the 

marketing plan 

This section addresses: 

 Description of the 

public-private 

partnership 

 Designation of a legal 

sponsor 

 Funding necessary for 

implementation of the 

Strategic Plan 

 Sustainability of the 

project 

The Fort WayneAllen County Airport 

Authority/FWA, City 

of Fort Wayne and 

the Greater Fort 

Wayne Chamber of 

Commerce have 

formed a publicprivate partnership.
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Revenue Guarantee 

An airline’s consideration of nonstop service between FWA and Philadelphia depends 

heavily on financial support. In the current airline and economic environment, it has 

become expected that a small community share in an airline’s risk of service start-up. 

Depending on the aircraft used and frequency, airlines are typically requesting $500,000 

to $1 million per year in revenue guarantees. Like most communities, Fort Wayne does 

not have the full amount of funds available to offer such a guarantee without the 

assistance of the US DOT through this program. 

While a revenue guarantee will be necessary to entice an airline to serve the market, the 

community is confident that it is unlikely the monies will be used in their entirety as the 

number of passengers driving to other airports decreases. 

Based on preliminary estimates of the shortfall in the first year of service (Table 5.1, 

page 13) and recent information on revenue guarantees in other similar markets, it is 

anticipated that a minimum $2,000,000 revenue guarantee will be required over a twoyear period of time. Terms of the revenue guarantee agreement are subject to further 

negotiations and changing industry conditions. 

Marketing Campaign 

The goal of the marketing campaign is to increase visiting, local, and business traveler 

awareness of nonstop Philadelphia service. The Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of 

Commerce’s marketing plan is to target Fort Wayne area travelers and introduce them to 

the new service. 

EXHIBIT 6.1 INCENTIVE AND SUPPORT PLAN

To reduce airline 

risk and provide 

incentive to 

American Airlines to 

provide nonstop 

Philadelphia 

service, this 

Strategic Plan 

includes an airline 

revenue guarantee.
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A complete marketing/advertising plan will be developed prior to any expenditure of 

marketing dollars. The marketing plan will be structured for a 14-month program prior to 

and during the first year of service. The comprehensive plan will focus on public 

awareness of the new service. Emphasis will be placed on the ability of the new service 

to make air travel more convenient, less time-consuming, and less costly, while providing 

more direct access to primary destinations. 

Fee Waivers 

The incentive program includes waiving of airport fees for a one-year period. Landing 

fees, apron fees, fees for variable common space, and boarding security fees will be 

waived by the airport, consistent with FWA’s current incentive program. 

STRATEGIC PLAN FUNDING

The Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority is seeking $600,000 in US DOT funding 

as part of a support program associated with nonstop Philadelphia service. SCASDP 

grant funds will be used for a portion of the revenue guarantee. Fort Wayne’s publicprivate partnership will fund $1,400,000 of the revenue guarantee and the $60,000 

marketing campaign. 

Table 6.2 provides the Strategic Plan budget broken down by element and sources 

of funding. The community will fund 77 percent of the total program. Non-airport 

revenue sources will provide 71 percent of the cash requirement and 57 percent of the 

funding for the total program including in-kind services. Cash contributions will be 

provided by Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority (non-airport revenue) and the City 

of Fort Wayne. 

TABLE 6.2 STRATEGIC PLAN BUDGET 

DESCRIPTION 

FUNDING SOURCE 

TOTAL 

US DOT AIRPORT REVENUE NON-AIRPORT REVENUE 

CASH CASH IN-KIND CASH IN-KIND 

Revenue Guarantee $600,000 $1,400,000 $2,000,000 

Marketing Campaign $60,000 $60,000 

Fee Waivers: 

 Landing Fees $77,850 $77,850 

 Apron Fees $15,570 $15,570 

 Common Space - Variable $367,090 $367,090 

 Boarding Security $52,110 $52,110 

Total $600,000 $0 $512,620 $1,460,000 $0 $2,572,620 

Percent of Total Project 23% 0% 20% 57% 0% 100% 

Percent of Cash Contribution 29% 0% N/A 71% N/A 100% 

PROJECT CONTINUATION AND SUSTAINABILITY

The preliminary analysis indicates that after the ramp-up period, daily jet service to 

Philadelphia International Airport will be profitable (i.e. self-sustaining). However, a 

continued rise in fuel costs or any number of factors could result in fewer passenger or 

less ticket revenue than anticipated. Depending on the specifics at the time, the publicprivate partners will consider other appropriate support mechanisms if the service is not 

self-sustaining after the two-year revenue guarantee. 
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SECTION 7. SCHEDULE AND 

MONITORING

 realistic timetable has been developed to achieve the goals of this SCASDP 

application. This section provides critical milestones to be achieved by the 

public-private partnership, including target dates for: the marketing campaign 

development and initiation; nonstop Philadelphia service start-up; alternate plan; and 

revenue guarantee contract completion. A monitoring program is also provided to 

track the progress of the project. 

STRATEGIC PLAN SCHEDULE AND MILESTONES

The following target dates are proposed to track the progress of this air 

service initiative: 

TABLE 7.1 STRATEGIC PLAN SCHEDULE 

DATE 

ACTION 

ITEM DESCRIPTION 

October 

2013 - 

January 2014 

Airline 

meetings/negotiations 

After grant award, FWA will meet with American 

Airlines/US Airways at their headquarters to 

discuss nonstop Philadelphia service. Upon 

airline interest, the terms of the airline incentive 

package will be negotiated. 

January -

February 

2014 

Marketing campaign 

development 

Development of the marketing campaign will be 

completed in February/March 2014 in order to 

begin the marketing campaign 60 days prior to 

new service initiation. 

February 

2014 Marketing initiation 

It is anticipated that the marketing campaign will 

begin by February 2014 and continue throughout 

the first year of nonstop Philadelphia service. 

April 2014 Nonstop Philadelphia 

service 

The service start date is the critical date for the 

rest of the Strategic Plan. It is anticipated that, 

with successful airline negotiations, service would 

start in April 2014. Service start-up is dependent 

on airline route planning and aircraft availability 

for the FWA market. 

December 

2014 

Alternate plan 

If American/US Airways has not implemented 

nonstop Philadelphia service by December 31, 

2014, the public-private partnership will contact 

other potential carriers to provide service to an 

eastern hub which would meet the goals of this 

grant application. 

A This section addresses: 

 How the community will 

monitor the progress of 

the project 

 The plan/schedule for 

timely completion of 

the project 
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TABLE 7.1 STRATEGIC PLAN SCHEDULE 

DATE 

ACTION 

ITEM DESCRIPTION 

March 

2016 

Revenue guarantee 

contract completion 

At the end of the second year of nonstop service, 

with a service start date of April 2014, the 

revenue guarantee will be calculated. If the 

service start date changes due to airline 

circumstances and/or equipment availability, the 

revenue guarantee contract term will change 

accordingly. 

STRATEGIC PLAN MONITORING PROGRAM

The monitoring program includes: service performance tracking; assessing the 

effectiveness of the marketing campaign; impact on airfares; and determining the 

influence of eastern hub service on retention at FWA. Table 7.2 provides the action 

items and frequency to monitor the Strategic Plan. 

TABLE 7.2 STRATEGIC MONITORING 

FREQUENCY ACTION ITEM DESCRIPTION 

Quarterly

Airfares 

Track walk-up, business, and leisure published 

fares for the top 25 markets to ensure fares are 

competitive with competing airports. Fare issues 

will be communicated to incumbent airlines. 

Airline performance Load factors by flight, enplanements, flight 

cancellations 

Market performance Passenger ramp-up 

Revenue guarantee 

indicators Ticket revenue, cost, drawdown 

Annually True Market Estimate 

Complete a true market estimate to evaluate the 

use of FWA by local travelers compared to their 

use of alternate airports. Analyze output and 

communicate with airline. 
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APPENDIX A. LETTERS OF 

SUPPORT

Appendix A includes letters of support for the Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport 

Authority’s application to the US DOT for nonstop Philadelphia service. Support 

letters were submitted by each of the members in the public-private partnership and 

local businesses. Additional letters of support will be submitted separately from the 

application. The letters of support are included on the following pages of this 

Appendix A. 

Public-private partnership

Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority (see cover letter) 

City of Fort Wayne 

Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce 

Businesses

Lincoln Financial Network 

This section addresses: 

Letters of support from 

members of the publicprivate partnership and 

local businesses. 
July 12, 2013

Brooke Chapman, Associate Director

Small Community Air Service Development Program

U.S. Department of Transportation

1200 New Jersey Ave, SE W86-310

Washington, DC 20590

Dear Ms. Chapman,

I am writing in support of the Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority (FWACAA)

application for funding through the Small Community Air Service Development Program.

The greater Fort Wayne area continues to have significant leakage to nearby airports. Sixtythree percent of catchment area passengers, equating to 922,976 annual passengers are opting 

to drive two hours or more to get to alternate airports with more flights and cheaper fares. 

FWACAA and the Fort Wayne community have determined that additional service to a new 

eastbound hub is of utmost importance to help reduce that leakage and bring those passengers 

back to the Fort Wayne International Airport. 

With fewer airlines and shrinking fleets, there is increased pressure from the airlines to the 

communities to offset a portion of the risk to startup a new route. The FWACAA and Fort 

Wayne community are continuing their long-term air service development efforts with the 

current endeavor to bring US Airways/American Airlines service to the Philadelphia 

International Airport. The Small Community Air Service Development Program grant funds

requested will be matched with significant local dollars that will be used for airline incentives 

to reduce the risk to start this service. 

We hope that you give the FWACAA proposal full consideration and award the funds 

requested to help Fort Wayne improve its access to the National Transportation System by 

attracting service to Philadelphia on the new American Airlines/US Airways.

Sincerely,

Thomas C. Henry

Mayor