Fort Smith airport increases parking fees

story by Marla Cantrell
[email protected]

It will cost you an extra $1 a day to park at the Fort Smith Regional Airport beginning Jan. 1. The increase was approved at the Airport Commission meeting Tuesday night.

It now costs $6 a day for parking. The hike to $7 is expected to bring in an extra $11,000 in 2010. The last parking increase was in 2005.

The commission also voted to increase free parking from 20 minutes to 30 minutes. Airport director John Parker said Fort Smith still charges less than its competitors. The Shreveport Regional Airport charges $9.50 a day and Tulsa International charges $10. Branson takes the top spot at $24 a day.

The commissioners also approved the 2010 operating budget, which includes projected revenue at $2.48 million and expenses at $2.52 million. Parker said he prepares for worst-case scenario and develops a budget from there. It’s possible expenses, such as unemployment insurance, could be less than expected. He also said revenue should be comparable or slightly above 2009.

Parker said the travel industry continues to struggle.

“Enplanements are down across the country. Fort Smith is no different. We’re at the same levels as other airports our size,” Parker said.

October enplanements at the airport totaled 6,512, down 14% compared to October 2008, according to figures published by the airport. For the first 10 months of 2009, enplanements total 66,328, down 10.2% from the 73,942 enplanements in the same period of 2008.

The number of passengers peaked in 2007 when more than 197,000 traveled through the Fort Smith Airport. In 2008, the number dropped to 174,000. The decline continued this year. It’s estimated only 162,000 passengers will use Fort Smith’s airport this year. That’s a 9% drop from last year.

Still, improvements are continuing. A new taxiway and perimeter road are under construction and should be complete in 2010. The commissioners also voted to buy a new snow plow for $112,000. The old plow, circa 1978, can no longer be repaired.

The next meeting was moved to Dec, 15 at 5:30, due to the holidays.