| Commercial airlines' leaders often provide minimal service to airports, such as Valdosta Regional. Inconsistencies in air service schedules and air carrier financial problems have eroded the passenger base in and out of the community. Business leaders may decide to relocate to similar areas without considering the Valdosta area which also includes a skilled aviation labor force. The qualitative case study used a single-case design with multiple subunits imbedded in the research. Through the use of interviews, surveys; direct observations, and document analysis, the Valdosta Regional Airport and three comparable sized airports; measured in terms of flight and population base; were explored to facilitate the identification of a set of circumstances and processes that are likely to be related to achieving economic development success near small, regional airports. The study concluded that local airport authority members have limited control over or input into the commercial service options at a small regional sized airport. This research ascertained that airport authority members and local community officials should focus on other segments of airport activities such as general aviation and aviation industry recruitment to augment the economic presence of the airport to the surrounding community. |
