New Service Could Be Coming To DAB

Daytona Beach, FL – Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB) is one of four in Florida competing for grants from the federal government’s Small Community Air Service Development Program. Joanne Magley, Director of Marketing for DAB, said that two airlines have already sent letters of support to the U.S. Department of Transportation, expressing interest in adding service at DAB. Magley said that one airline already has service here but the other would be a new airline for the airport. "American Airlines wrote a letter of support for Chicago service and United Airlines wrote a letter of support for actually Chicago and/or Washington D.C. service." The Small Community Air Service Development Program only has a total of $18 million in grant money to award. The total amount requested in the 77 applications that were submitted is $57.8 million, according to Magley. The DAB application asked for one million dollars. She says that if received, the money will be used for a minimum revenue guarantee.  "The airlines have a minimum that they hope to make when they’re having service here. If those levels drop below a certain number, then this federal money would kick in to help them stay even." Magley said that the U.S.D.O.T. is expected to make its decision this summer, probably in August, on which airports will receive the grants