Fort Smith airport garners ESPN mention

story by Marla Cantrell
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It was home movie night at the Feb. 23 meeting of the Fort Smith Airport Commission.

John Parker, airport director, showed commissioners video of crews clearing runways during the Jan. 29 snowstorm. He said the snow removal at the airport was the equivalent of clearing 51 miles of highway. There have been three significant snow events this winter, something Parker said he hadn’t seen since he began working for the airport in 1997.

The airport’s hard work was mentioned over the airwaves.

“ESPN sportscaster Jimmy Dykes was broadcasting a Razorback game and had to get to his next game and couldn’t get out except from Fort Smith, Arkansas,” Parker said. “He came to Fort Smith and got on a plane and in his next sportscast he gave special thanks to Fort Smith.”

At Tuesday’s meeting, commissioners voted to endorse a letter supporting American Airlines antitrust immunity in conjunction with Japan Airlines for transatlantic flights. The form letter was sent to every airline that has American or American Eagle flights. American Eagle Airlines operates five flights a day — all connecting to Dallas-Fort Worth — out of Fort Smith.

Parker said the airline is trying to level the playing field against other carriers, such as United Airlines’ Star Alliance network and Delta’s SkyTeam partners.

Parker ended the meeting by informing the group about Commissioner Ryan Carter, who flies with Arkansas Air National Guard 188th Fighter wing and is getting ready to begin a 60-day tour in Afghanistan. He will leave at some point during the next two weeks.

Parker offered Carter some tongue-in-cheek advice on how to get ready for the mission, such as showering with a garden house, sleeping in the garage and letting the paper boy cut his hair. He also gave him a care package, along with an American flag, which will be flown during Carter’s Operation Enduring Freedom mission.

Carter, who is a captain in the 188th, is the second commissioner in recent weeks to be called to active duty. Last month, Vice Chairman Marsha Melton left to serve in the Navy Reserves.

The commission’s next meeting will be held March 23.