One not-so-scientific method of determining the direction and success of a geographical region is to examine its airport and air service.
Is the region’s main airport adding new air service destinations or is it losing them?
Is the airport investing in itself with upgrades and making the travel experience more inviting and easier?
By all accounts, the Eastern Iowa Airport is helping to advance the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City Corridor region while the region’s economic success and population growth are making the airport even more attractive in a very fragile air service market.
The most recent example of success is the addition of a new Allegiant nonstop route from the Eastern Iowa Airport in Cedar Rapids to the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) in Florida. The new flight from Cedar Rapids to Florida begins Nov. 17.
“We are excited Allegiant is offering this new nonstop flight to Fort Lauderdale, which is a key destination for Eastern Iowa,” said Eastern Iowa Airport director Marty Lenss.
The new flight will be the 18th nonstop flight for the Eastern Iowa Airport and the ninth nonstop offered by Allegiant from Cedar Rapids.
This comes after American Airlines added a much-coveted direct flight from the Eastern Iowa Airport to Washington, D.C. (DCA) June 1.
These direct flights help business travelers as well as the leisure travelers who have come back strong since the pandemic.
On the losing end of eliminated flights, or canceled air service altogether in 2022, include the Midwest communities of Dubuque, IA; Columbia, MO; Evansville, IN; Kalamazoo, MI; and Wausau, WI.
The Corridor doesn’t want to be on that list.
Fortunately, the Eastern Iowa Airport’s continued investment and work on its fourth and final phase of the airport’s terminal modernization project should help.
The fourth phase includes remodeling the rest of the terminal and adding 32,000 square feet, which will include four additional jet bridges, a larger patio, a sensory room and a pet relief area.
The first phase of the modernization program began construction in 2014. When the final phase is complete, the estimated cost of the entire project will be $120.9 million.
The airport and its leadership are also creating some innovative partnerships to position the region and airport as an aviation hub.
We appreciate the Eastern Iowa Airport’s success, which will only help the region be more successful, and vice versa.
