Hart Field is the only airport in the state with commercial air service still owned by a city. The others are operated by specially formed authorities. Plutt supports an advisory committee but cautioned that before you can plan for the future you need to understand what problems face an airport on a daily basis. First, there is the threat the commercial carrier might pull service. Then there's the never-ending need for funds to upgrade facilities, the pressures to stay in compliance with Federal Aviation Administration standards, keeping private pilots happy and the quest to lure businesses to the field.
Most airports have activity in each category, but one stands out.
One thing is certain, aviation experts are predicting that airports like Morgantown's are not going to survive if they try to emphasize all four. With the predicted trend toward regional airports, airports need to find their niche, Morgantown City Manager Dan Boroff said. And, that is going to affect a lot of cities, Morgantown being one. Neb. The cities are within 30 miles of one another and each has an airport. Officials have toyed with the idea of regionalizing, according to a story in July's Governing magazine.