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Thursday, June 14, 2001
House panel's action brightens outlook for Augusta air service By DAN McGILLVRAY, Staff Writer Copyright © 2001 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc. | ||
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AUGUSTA — Augusta State Airport got a glimmer of good news this week that could result in keeping commercial air service intact between Augusta and Boston. The Bush administration in mid-April proposed trimming $10 million from a federal transportation budget that, if approved, would reduce subsidies to help keep small carriers and about 20 small airports in business throughout the country. Augusta's only airline, Colgan Air, would stand to lose about $634,000 under the president's plan. A cut that large would force the carrier to eliminate service between the capital city and Boston, according to airport manager Robert McGee. The U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation earlier this week rejected the Bush plan to reduce the national "essential air service" subsidy. In doing so, committee members also increased the air service budget by $13 million. "I hope this is good news," McGee said Wednesday. He noted that other approvals, including action by the U.S. Senate, are necessary before he is assured that Colgan and the airport will be unaffected by the Bush proposal. The subcommittee's recommendation has gone to the Appropriations Committee for consideration, and after that influential panel reviews the budget package this month, the measure will go to the full House this summer. "I feel totally confident in this," said Doug Dunbar, press secretary for Rep. John Baldacci, D-2nd District. Over the past several weeks, Baldacci and Rep. Thomas Allen, D-1st District, have worked to scuttle the Bush proposal. In May, the congressmen got other legislators in the House to sign a letter in opposition to the administration's plan. The letter was delivered to Rep. Harold Rogers, R-Kentucky, the subcommittee's chairman; and to Rep. Martin Sabo, D-Minnesota, the panel's ranking Democrat. On Tuesday, Baldacci and Allen said the additional $13 million in the subcommittee's proposal should "ensure that a safety net for rural and underserved airports will be maintained." McGee has said if the Bush administration succeeds in cutting the air service subsidies, Colgan Air would end flights to and from Augusta. The airline runs four round trips each weekday to Boston. Altogether, about 80 rural airports take advantage of the air service subsidies, which started about 20 years ago when the airline industry was deregulated. At the time, members of Congress were concerned that airlines would abandon small airports without financial assistance because operating profits would be slim or nonexistent. The U.S. Department of Transportation reviews the essential air service program every two years. The Senate also will consider the air-service subsidy this summer. Maine's two senators, Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins, are on record as supporting increased air-service payments for rural airports, including the state-owned, city-managed Augusta State Airport. Gov. Angus S. King also has been involved in the discussion. In a letter dated April 27, he told the state's congressional delegation that without subsidies, Colgan "will be forced to discontinue (Augusta's) vital air service." In January, Colgan Air signed a new contract with the Maine Department of Transportation that runs through Dec. 31, 2002. The federal government's budget year begins Oct. 1. McGee said Wednesday that if the full House and Senate oppose the administration's proposed cuts for rural air service, President Bush might veto the measure. Last year, about 8,000 customers flew on Colgan airplanes to and from Augusta. To reach Dan McGillvray Phone: 621-5642 dmcgillvray@centralmaine.com
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