Cincy airport looks to offset reduced flights

CINCINNATI (AP) — An airport vital to economic development in the Cincinnati and northern Kentucky region is striving to expand service and offset airline cutbacks that have caused concern in the region’s business community.

The Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport is trying to attract low-cost carriers and persuade current ones to expand service as rising fuel costs have led airlines to boost fares.

The airport offered 600 flights a day in 2005 at its peak. Now it offers 170 daily flights in the wake of major cutbacks by its dominant carrier, Delta Air Lines.

Airport officials and business organizations in Cincinnati and northern Kentucky have been collaborating to try to boost air service at the airport in Hebron, Ky. Airport officials are also hoping the planned reopening of a concourse will help those efforts.