Expert: David A. NewMyer - 9/19/2003

Question
Do you know if a Master Plan exists for subject airport?  Checked with County (ST Clair), Tim Cantwell (Airport Director) ... have not located.  Interest is what is the plan for that large white elephant?  

Do you have any opinions about that facility?  

thanks,

Answer
Hi, Dave:

Thanks for your question.  I will try to assist.

Regarding the Master Plan for Mid America Airport, I believe that the original master plan and environmental work was done under the name "Scott AFB" (as a joint use military-civilian facility).  So, you might look for it listed that way.  I believe that we might have one on file here at the Morris Library at Southern Illinois University Carbondale and that the local libraries in the Metro East area of St. Louis (Belleville, Scott AFB itself and St. Clair County) might have it filed that way.

With regard to the plan for this facility, remember that the plan was created in a different era:  the late 1980s and the early 1990s when airport capacity was in short supply and TWA still existed as a separate airline (and not as part of American Airlines).  The capacity pressure on Lambert International in St. Louis was tremendous and it did not appear that they were going to do anything about it.  In 2003, TWA is gone, 9/11 has temporarily reduced airline passenger demand and St. Louis got EPA and FAA approval for its W1W plan to expand Lambert.  So, the playing field has changed significantly.  

What has not changed FOR ST. CLAIR COUNTY IS THIS:  If (and it is a matter of when considering the federal budget deficit and how it is growing) the federal governement decides to proceed with another "base closure plan" it appears that Scott AFB will be one of the first active bases to be deactivated.  And, by the way, it's last major flying activity (the C-9 Nightingales) will be deactivated at the end of this month...so, as an active duty Air Force Base, the only remaining flying are some air transport aircraft that are based there for key personnel on the base.  With the departure of the C-9s, I think it is even more likely that Scott will be deactivated as an active duty Air Force base in the near future.

Base closure does not mean that all units would leave the base if the base is deactivated, especially any National Guard or Reserve flying units.  But, some of the active duty contingent on the base WOULD leave, reducing Air Force employment on the base and leaving a negative economic impact on the surrounding area.  Deactivation of Scott AFB is something that has been hanging over St. Clair County for years and, when it happens, the key thing about Mid America Airport is that THEY HAVE A PLAN.  

So, it might appear to be a "white elephant" in that there is not much airline service there now BUT, there is a plan to keep the airfield open and as active as possible when the Air Force closes it as an active duty location.  This is key in that the National Guard and Reserve flying units will remain and give back the economic impact that they create, along with any civilian presence that eventually establishes itself at Mid America.  And, Lambert's Airport Director, Col. Griggs, has already said that, even with W1W, Lambert will have little if any room for air cargo operators.  So, maybe Mid America can carve a niche in that area.

My opinion about the Mid America Airport is that, while it may appear to be a white elephant (because of a current lack of civilian aviation), and, it may not have much air service (Great Plains Airlines aside), it is a good example of a county government trying to think ahead and have a gameplan for a future situation (the possible base closure).  From that perspective, I have to give an "A" to St. Clair County.

Sincerely,

David A. NewMyer, Ph.D., Professor and Chair
Aviation Management and Flight
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
http://www.aviation.siu.edu