Daily airline service will be a boon to area

Eight years have passed since the Mahoning Valley was served by commercial airlines that flew in and out of the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport, and during that time the area’s economy has struggled to find a footing. But now, with things looking up, there’s a definite need for daily airline service — to cater to the expanding business sector.

Earlier this month, Forbes magazine said the Youngstown-Warren metro area had the fifth-highest manufacturing job growth in the U.S. during the first quarter of the year. In April, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics noted that the Youngstown-Warren-Sharon area had the third highest job growth in the country for the first quarter. And two months ago, Forbes and Manpower magazines listed the Youngstown-Warren metro area as the fourth-best place to find a job in the U.S.

The national rankings are not only a recognition of the region’s economic revival, but are important marketing tools. Business leaders around the country and the world use Forbes, Manpower and other such influential publications to assist them in their job-creation decisions. They also look at the amenities that are available in an area, and daily, reliable airline service ranks up there with an experienced workforce and good quality of life.

The latest campaign to lure an airline to the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport is timely and important. And there are indications that a major carrier is interested.

Delta Airlines is exploring the viability of two daily flights from here to Detroit, where local travelers can connect to more than 120 domestic and about 20 international destinations.

But, there’s a catch: Delta has a minimum revenue requirement of 3 percent per flight. What happens if the airline fails to meet that goal because of a lack of passengers?

The answer lies with a nonprofit organization that was created recently to bolster the airport’s commercial flight destinations. Called the YNGAir Partners, the grass-roots organization has launched a campaign to raise about $1 million that would be placed in a special account and be used by the airline to make up its revenue shortfall.

YNGAir Partners, which had its first meeting this month, is working closely with the Western Reserve Port authority, the governing body of the airport, and the Youngstown-Warren Regional Chamber.

FAA grant

In addition to the million being raised in the area, there’s $575,000 in a Federal Aviation Administration grant and about half-million worth of in-kind services that would also be available to help the airline hit its revenue mark. It is not uncommon for smaller airports to use rainy-days funds as collateral to lure big airlines.

YNGAir’s first meeting, attended by about 30 business and community representatives, was an encouraging start to what is without a doubt an important endeavor.

This region is now playing in the big leagues of manufacturing and high-tech industries.

With General Motors Corp.’s production of its highly successful Chevrolet Cruze at the Lordstown assembly plant, V&M Star’s $650 million steel mill expansion and the continued global growth of Turning Technologies, the new economy is beginning to hum.

Convenient air travel to and from the region is more important than ever. Having Delta or USAir or any other carriers fly into Youngstown-Warren Regional would be a major boost to the Valley’s economic revitalization.

For the naysayers who believe the airport is a white elephant, consider this: Allegiant Air, which has weekly flights to Sanford and St. Petersburg, Fla., and Myrtle Beach, S.C., expects to carry 39,000 passengers from the area this year. That would up from 27,581 last year, which was up from 17,391 the year before.

Whether travel for business or pleasure, people seek convenience. That’s what the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport offers.