Cold creates costs at airport

VIENNA — Below-zero temperatures 10 days ago set in motion “one of the worst days I’ve seen in the eight years I’ve been here as far as cost outlay,” said Steve Bowser, Youngstown Warren Regional Airport director of aviation.

Bowser told Western Reserve Port Authority members Wednesday that he doesn’t yet know the final cost for the equipment repairs, materials and manpower from that period — but said it will be substantial.

Among the damage: a transformer failed, knocking out power to the airport for part of Feb. 12; one of two heating boilers at the terminal, a snow blower used on the runways, a salt spreader and two pickup trucks broke down; and the airport’s Internet connection was down three days.

Snowfall two days later caused the main runway to be shut down for 45 minutes, Bowser said. It is the first time in about four years he can remember having to shut down a runway.

See the complete story in Thursday's Vindicator and on Vindy.com