|
|
North Central West Virginia Airport News:
|
.Removing ‘only weak link’
By Jessica Legge
Times West Virginian
FAIRMONT— As the new director of marketing for the North Central West Virginia Airport, Joan Keith’s primary focus right now is to strengthen the airport’s commercial service — which she said is the facility’s “only weak link.” “This is an incredibly dynamic airport,” she said. “We already clearly have a great foundation and are continuing with that.”
Keith was born and raised in Cincinnati. She worked at American Airlines for 19 years, where she held positions in Cincinnati, Des Moines, New Orleans and Dallas. She then left American Airlines and did independent aviation consulting across the country, primarily with the Boyd Group in Evergreen, Colo.
The former Harrison-Marion Regional Airport, now called the North Central West Virginia Airport, caught her attention several years ago while she was working on a project in Charleston.
“I noticed this airport and all the potential it had,” Keith said. “I just couldn’t understand why there was such a lack of commercial service available.”
When she saw a posting for the marketing director position, she applied for the job and started April 2. She moved from South Carolina and currently lives in Clarksburg. Although the airport had lacked commercial traffic for the past couple of months, it has stayed busy with high military traffic. Keith said the airport “lost sight of the customer for a while,” but it is working to bring them back. “It’s not what we don’t have here that we need to focus on. It’s what we do have here that we need to focus on and promote,” she said.
The airport’s new commercial passenger airline, US Airways Express by Colgan Air, began service to Pittsburgh International Airport May 1. As the airport’s new commuter airline, Colgan Air takes the place of RegionsAir. Approximately 106 passengers boarded flights during the airline’s first week of service, and 54 passengers arrived inbound. Keith said she is pleased with these numbers, but her hope is that the aircraft, which holds 30 passengers, will board the full amount every trip.
Once the airport gains passengers, it will be able to bring in another airline service, she said. When the airport reaches 10,000 passengers a year, it will qualify for $1 million in airport-improvement funding from the government.
Keith said the airport has the potential to carry 16,000 passengers a year, and she believes this goal is possible. The airport must prove itself and gain the support of the community to succeed. Price, on-time dependability and convenience are important factors for customers seeking air service, she said.
The North Central West Virginia Airport offers free parking, no lines and a jet bridge. It also has free wireless Internet access throughout the terminal. The Aero Club Restaurant, owned and operated by Pat Kelly, features a full view of the 7,000-foot runway.
“We’ll make the experience flying out of here as positive as we can,” Keith said. “All we’re asking is to remember that we’re here (and) know that we have service.” She realizes that customers may find better deals with the Pittsburgh and Charleston airports at times. But when customers decide to fly with the North Central West Virginia Airport, they support the community and the future of the facility.
Not only does the airport serve Clarksburg, Bridgeport and Fairmont, but it also provides services to all of North Central West Virginia, Keith said. She believes the airport’s primary customer base is people within a one-hour drive. “It puts us on the map to everybody outside of West Virginia who’s looking to fly through here, and it better represents all the communities we serve,” she said. “I hope other folks come down and take advantage of what we have here.”
The airport’s name change was recently approved at a Benedum Airport Authority meeting. As director of marketing, Keith reports to the members of the authority. “I absolutely love this job,” she said. “I am so thrilled with what each one of those members brings to the table. If I had any doubts (about the job) in the beginning, within the last month, their support and enthusiasm have just motivated me more.”
June 1 is the launch date for the new name and marketing campaign with the airport’s new advertising agency, the Phillips Group in Elkins. The new advertising campaign involves promoting the airport’s services and a total rework of the airport’s Web site. Keith said 90 to 95 percent of the airport’s bookings are done over the Internet.
As far as economic development, the airport will work to attract aviation-related businesses to the area. Keith said hard work from countless individuals over the years has made these changes possible. Everyone involved has been ready to see the airport grow. “Everything was clearly in place,” she said. “I’m just one more piece on the game board to help pull it together and move it forward. There are hundreds of people who have touched this airport. Everybody should be proud of what they have here.”
E-mail Jessica Legge at jlegge@timesw.com.
Copyright © 1999-2006 cnhi, inc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
