Page 39 - Athens New Comers Guide 2020

Poised for Growth
Athens- Ben Epps Airport

Mathews said he and his staff are “That will change the face of the Charlotte, NC and to/from Nashville,
continuously working on projects airport,” Mathews said, noting that it TN, but all commercial service
at the airport to modernize the will give more room for aircraft to park ceased in 2014. Mathews said prior
infrastructure and make it safer. For in front of the terminal. to COVID-19, the City had been in
example, the main runway was rebuilt discussions with American Airlines to
in FY2019 using SPLOST funds, Other projects include construction reestablish service between Athens
replacing asphalt that was 20 to 30 of a transient aircraft hangar and and Charlotte. Since the pandemic
years old, providing new signage, improvements to the terminal created many challenges for the
new high intensity runway lights, baggage area and parking lot. nation’s airlines, the City remains
and pavement improvements at open to other opportunities.
intersections and adjoining runways. Reestablishing commercial air
service at AHN stands to have a
“I am proud to say that as of last year, tremendous economic impact in “We’re still talking with other airlines,”
the airport is not dependent on taking the region. To assist with recruiting Mathews said. He said that a market
any money from the Athens-Clarke passenger service, AHN was awarded study proves the need is there. “The
County Unified Government general a $750,000 Small Community Air selling of Athens to an airline is easy.”
fund to fund our operations and is Service Development Program
totally self-supporting,” Mathews (SCASDP) grant from the U.S. Mathews, who came to AHN in 2018,
said. “In addition, we get most of our Department of Transportation. is excited for the growth he sees at
project money from the FAA and the airport and its potential. “Working
GDOT (90% FAA, 5% GDOT, and 5% “The opportunity to expand into with a lot of these forward-thinking
local). This money goes a long way passenger service will usher in the folks in Athens is a breath of fresh air,”
for us to build new and repair existing next phase of economic development, Mathews said. He said that talking to
infrastructure. Our 5% matching funds including the creation of hundreds the airlines has been exciting for him
come from local SPLOST money.” of new jobs, an immediate expansion
of the hospitality industry in Athens, as he sees progress being made.
With the improved runway, AHN can and expanded tax benefits for all
now accept Boeing 737, Airbus A320, Athenians,” said Athens Chamber As the effects of the pandemic recede
and Airbus A321 aircraft. This runway President David Bradley. in 2021, Athens-Ben Epps Airport is
work is soon to be followed by a looking forward to the many ways it
rebuild of taxiway alpha that connects AHN has previously had scheduled can serve aviators, passengers, and
to the main runway. commercial air service to/from the general economy of the region.

Athens Area Chamber of Commerce • www.athensga.com • (706) 549-6800 Athens-Ben Apps Airport 35