Are affordable air fares important to Kansans? 

YES!

It’s about:

• Economic development – business retention and recruitment, as well as infrastructure and the global highway

• Families – whose jobs and income rely on businesses, but also want and need to travel to visit family

• Tourism – cannot recruit conventions and visitors without competitive fares

But Kansas is not naturally competitive on this issue.

• Kansas cannot compete with Oklahoma and Missouri – we do not have the population base they do.

• Mid-Continent Airport is the air service portal for 2/3 of the state.

A pilot program was developed — and it has worked.

• The FairFare$ pilot program has had significant results.

  • Air fares dropped significantly

  • Passenger travel up by 24%

  • Have less passenger “leakage” to other states

  • Have increased passenger capacity by 18% while other states declined

  • Business recruitment and retention going well

  • Kansans saved more than $300 million to date

  • Public investment of $9.5 million has had a return on investment of 21 to 1

Now we are at a critical juncture. Is Kansas going to remain in the game?

• If we do nothing:

  • State loses $8.7 million in direct tax revenues out of the general fund

  • Kansans lose air fare savings

  • Business recruitment and retention lags

• Proposed solution:

  • Partnership with State of Kansas to benefit all Kansans

  • $5 million per year for 5 years

  • 80% state funding and 20% local match

What does affordable air fares mean to:

• Cargill Meat Solutions

• Network Management Group Inc. in Hutchinson

• Rand Graphics

• Sales Data Inc.

• Building Trade Unions and Workers

• Greater Wichita Convention & Visitors Bureau

• Fairpoint Communications

• Elevator Solutions International, Inc.

• Verwater Environmental

• High Plains Journal

• General Electric Engine Services
   

The bottom line:

In order for Kansas businesses to compete globally, for families to enjoy the opportunity for affordable leisure travel, and to increase tourism we must have a long-term strategy that makes Kansas’ Mid-Continent Airport competitive with Missouri and Oklahoma. Kansas air travel impacts us all.