News Summary

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — City officials have had "preliminary" discussions with the former CEO of a recently closed Ohio airline about the possibility of launching similar operations at the Springfield airport, city Economic Development Administrator Tom Franzen confirmed Friday, Aug. 29.

John Weikle, founder of Skybus Airlines, the Columbus-based discount travel company that closed operations in April due to rising fuel costs and the lagging economy, is considering Springfield as a possible location to establish a new commercial airline.

Weikle was out of town and could not be reached for comment.

"We are truly at the beginning stages of just providing information," Franzen said.

Mike McDorman, president of the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce, confirmed in a Columbus Dispatch story that discussions have taken place, but said "while the airport is home to an Air National Guard base...it does not have a sufficient 'apron,' or paved area, to support the operations of several large jets at once."

McDorman did not return a call to the News-Sun seeking comment.

While having a commercial airline in town would have benefits, it's still too early to discuss those potential boons, said Franzen.

The last commercial operator in Springfield closed up shop more than 40 years ago, so there is no infrastructure to support a commercial airline.

Changes at the airport would include improved and expanded taxiways, aprons, hangars, terminal areas, baggage handling, parking and security.

"There are a tremendous number of questions that need to be answered ... we expect that process could take anywhere from 30 to 90 days," he said.