Piedmont Triad International Airport will sell $65 million in bonds to pay for a third runway.
The Piedmont Triad Airport Authority voted last week in favor of sale, which will take place in February, airport director Ted Johnson tells ATI, flighglobal.com's sister news service.
A bond sale is necessary since the new north-south runway is opening in 2009-two years before the airport receives its final payment from the US FAA, Johnson says.
The airport, located in Greensboro, NC, has received a Letter of Intent from the FAA for $118 million and has received about half that amount, Johnson explains.
The 9,000-foot (2.74 m) runway and taxiway will cost between $120 million and $130 million, Johnson notes, explaining that a new FedEx sorting facility was the impetus for the runway.
FedEx is leasing 165 acres from the airport; the sorting facility will also be operational in summer 2009 and serve the eastern seaboard, a FedEx spokesman says.
Meanwhile, the airport is preparing for expanded operations from Skybus Airlines this month and in February.
The airport is designated as the airline’s second base. Skybus plans to offer flights to seven new destinations, garnering incentives from the airport for the new service.
Skybus-or any carrier that provides Piedmont Triad new nonstop service at least six days a week-will receive a credit of $2.15 per passenger on new routes, Johnson says.
Source: flightglobal.com's sister premium news service Air Transport Intelligence news
Source: FlightGlobal.com
