Airport feasibility findings discussed with NEA city leaders

PARAGOULD, Ark. (KAIT) - Several Northeast Arkansas city leaders met in Paragould on Wednesday to discuss the findings of a feasibility study that would bring a regional airport to the area.

John Rostas, senior aviation planner with Garver, which conducted the study, told city officials there was a large demand and interest for an airport in the region.

“Approximately 3% of the population in Northeast Arkansas ended up responding, and that’s tremendous,” he said.

He said the study shows numerous frequent travelers within the region who are interested in expanding or getting a new airport.

Rostas said information from airline ticket purchases revealed more to the engineering firm.

“There is a definite gap between the actual amount of output for travelers for the region versus the actual amount of folks that are using the region for travel itself,” he said. “So, we were able to kind of determine there was an overall need that needs to be further analyzed.”

The Federal Aviation Administration will determine whether to proceed with the feasibility study, which is the next step in bringing an airport to the region.

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