Meeting News - February 16, 2009 - (Page 35)

Destination Insider: Branson By Terri Hardin terri.hardin@nielsen.com Airport Plans Liftoff Cuts transfers by more than half-hour Following less than two years of construction, Branson Airport, the $155 million, privately financed and operated commercial airport (the first of its kind in the U.S.) is slated to debut on May 11. The airport—the location of which is eight minutes south of Branson, MO—will significantly cut down the current drive time, 45 minutes, from Springfield Airport to the heartland’s entertainment capital. In December, the airport finalized operating agreements with AirTran Airways (which will provide nonstop service between Branson and Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport), as well as with Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Branson Gray Line (which will exclusively oper- ate all taxi, shuttle, limousine, and other ground transportation services). Airport facilities are to be a welcome center, screening checkpoint, baggage claim area, full-service check-in kiosks, curbside service, concessions, gift and news shops, and a restaurant. The new airport will have a 7,140-foot-long, 150-foot-wide runway and parallel taxiway; a 58,000-sf terminal building; a general aviation facility with hangars for based aircraft; as well as an executive terminal with pilot lounges and meeting areas. To celebrate Branson Airport’s completion, a two-day air show will launch on May 8—featuring the USAF Thunderbirds, U.S. Army Golden Knights, Aeroshell Aerobatic Team, Manfred Radius, Patty Wagstaff, John Klatt (Air National Guard), and many more—to provide displays of aerial acrobatics. The show will also boast standing B-17, B-25, P-51 Mustang, Sea Fury, P-47, and Corsair fighter craft. “We are so happy to welcome AirTran Airways as the first airline to offer daily nonstop service to Branson,” said mayor Raeanne Presley. “Now, our visitors have more options to get to Branson, and so do our area residents who wish to travel from Branson.” Ross Summers, president and CEO of the Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and CVB, agreed. “Knowing that the new Branson Airport will have a first-class carrier like AirTran Airways serving [us] on day one is music to our ears, as we look forward to welcoming a whole new generation of visitors to the Ozarks,” Summers said. H —Terri Hardin New Commercial Airport Opens in May with Direct Service Provided by AirTran® ! 3 pristine lakes 52 theatres 18,000 guest rooms 250 restaurants 100+ live shows 200+ holes of golf 300+ retail shops 2 theme parks 220,000 sq. ft. convention center 800-951-1441 MeetInBranson.net www.meetingnews.com February 16, 2009 MeetingNews 35 http://www.MeetInBranson.net http://www.MeetInBranson.net http://www.meetingnews.com

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