HUNTSVILLE, AL—
Huntsville received high accolades from economic publications like Forbes and Kiplingers last year. They dubbed the city "The nation's best in 2009" and "One of the leading cities for business." But, one sore subject in the local economy is the cost of flying. The Department of Transportation has ranked Huntsville International Airport number one for most expensive airfare.The high costs of flying out of Huntsville have chambers of commerce, a Nasdaq company's CEO and politicians fighting for a cheaper option. People from the chambers of commerce in Huntsville, Decatur, and Athens have joined forces to woo a low-cost airline to Huntsville. They've teamed up with Huntsville International Airport and local politicians, who all say lower cost airfare is necessary to grow business.
"We can't compete at this level, trying to bring industry and business to our community if we can't keep our costs under control," Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce President John Seymour said.
As bait for the airlines, they have a $1 million grant from the Department of Transportation, but local leaders say money is not enough to get a low-cost carrier to move into town. They're aiming for business and community support of their effort.
The group already has ADTRAN CEO Tom Stanton's blessing. ADTRAN is the first corporate partner to back the initiative with money. Stanton says his company's flying habits add up.
"Well, last year, we spent over two million dollars on air travel," he said.
The company has facilities in China, Europe and Australia, so Stanton says flying is a necessity.
In the past, low-cost carriers have not worked out at Huntsville International. Mayor Tommy Battle says because the community has grown from BRAC and companies like Toyota and ADTRAN, it's ready for one now.
"There's a study out there that shows we could save $60 million. That's $60 million we could use to go onto corporate bottom lines, or it could go back into people's bank accounts," Mayor Battle said.
Stanton says when a low cost air carrier comes to an airport, it's proven to reduce the other airlines' ticket prices. The chambers of commerce in Decatur, Athens and Huntsville will hold town hall meetings next week to stir up support.
Decatur Country Club is housing two next Tuesday, March 9. One is at 10:30 in the morning, and the other's at 5:30 in the evening. In Athens, it will be next Wednesday at 10:30 and 5:30, at Athens State University. In Huntsville, at the Jackson Center on Thursday March 11, everyone is welcome to attend.
Organizers say they will give away a $500 air fare voucher at each meeting. H
