http://66.225.205.104/JR20110603.mp3
Charlotte Airport officials plan to spend an extra $3 million speeding up runway reconstruction in order to keep US Airways happy. One of the main runways at the Charlotte airport is set to be repaved starting mid-August. The project is expected to take three months, but US Airways has asked the airport to speed that up. Aviation Director Jerry Orr thinks it will cost about $3 million to shave 20 days off the construction timeline. It so happens that's also the amount of money US Airways says it will save if the airport accommodates the request. Yesterday, the Airport's Advisory Committee gave the plan its unanimous support. However, committee member Stan Vaughan did tell Orr the decision looks very much like "the city is spending $3 million to save US Airways $3 million." "It does look that way," replied Orr. "Remember that we consider ourselves partners with the airlines here - and it's not just US Airways, it's all of the airlines. Our goal is to provide the most efficient and effective airfield we can to benefit their operation. It's all about money on the bottom line and it really doesn't care how that money gets there." The airport frequently makes concessions to US Airways, which has a hub in Charlotte. In January, the city spent $2 million on equipment and supplies to improve de-icing of planes at US Airways' urging. Orr will take his latest request for $3 million to speed up runway paving to the Charlotte City Council on June 13th. The total reconstruction cost for the aging runway is now estimated at just under $24 million. The majority of that money comes from federal grants and passenger fees.