Which activity most increases your chances of landing air service?

• A. Local corporations and business leaders becoming a part of the Air Service Development team
• B. Marketing to leisure travelers only
• C. Reducing service to existing routes
• D. Increasing landing fees for airlines

Answer: (A)

Building a compelling case for new air service relies on mobilizing local support and turning business demand into a visible opportunity for airlines. When local corporations and business leaders join the Air Service Development team, they bring real travel needs, conventions, and corporate travel commitments that demonstrate a ready market. Their involvement adds credibility and can support data collection, sponsorships, and direct conversations with carriers, making a new route appear more attractive and lower risk to the airline. This kind of collaboration creates a local coalition that can advocate for routes, provide measurable demand, and help ensure a smoother implementation if a service is added.

Marketing only to leisure travelers misses the larger, steadier demand that business travel and corporate activity provide, which is often crucial for sustaining new routes. Reducing service on existing routes undermines the airport’s current footprint and can weaken the overall network that airlines rely on. Increasing landing fees tends to push carriers away, making new services harder to convince airlines to adopt.