Tuscaloosa Pushes For Commercial Air Service

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) – Tuscaloosa officials are making a concerted effort to return passenger air service to the city’s airport.

The Tuscaloosa News reports (http://bit.ly/2eJiTHh) the city council has approved a contract with Sixel Consultants Group to help lure a passenger airline while advising on upgrades to the Tuscaloosa Regional Airport’s existing facilities in order to accommodate the service. A commercial airline has not operated at the airport in nearly 20 years.

The city is paying consultants $13,000 to meet with various airlines and to consult on what upgrades the airport will need.

Selvin Greene, director of the city’s new Department of Infrastructure and Public Services, says the consultants are meeting with representatives from American Airlines, SkyWest Airlines, ViaAir and Southern Airways Express.