Passenger traffic move feasible

MOBILE, Ala. – A study on the feasibility of moving passenger flights from Mobile Regional Airport in west Mobile to the Downtown Mobile Airport at the Mobile Aeroplex showed it would be beneficial, but could take three to five years to complete. The Mobile Airport Authority, which oversees Mobile Regional Airport and Mobile Aeroplex, launched the study in February and released results Wednesday morning. At the heart of the issue was finding a way get back travelers who current travel to airports to the east and west of Mobile. MAA Executive Director Chris Curry said 47 percent of travelers who might be expected to use Mobile go to competing airports. Part of the problem is access. One question was whether it would be more cost-effective to move commercial service or improve road access to Mobile Regional, and the move was deemed  more cost-effective. The study did not address the specific cost. Curry also said accommodating passenger traffic without inconveniencing the Aeroplex’s industrial aviation tenants will require a balancing act, but the challenge can be managed. (Sources: WALA-TV, al.com, 06/20/18) The Aeroplex, among other things is where Airbus builds A320 jetliners, VT MAE operates a maintenance, repair and overhaul facility and Continental Motors builds small aircraft engines. Bombardier also plans to assemble jetliners at the Aeroplex.