Hainsey’s hope for GTRA impacts

The travel industry is in a major crisis for the first time in about 20 years, but leadership at Golden Triangle Regional Airport (GTRA) is optimistic that strategic planning and budgeting will help the airport weather financial turbulence, brought on by the coronavirus and fewer travelers, in the coming weeks. GTRA’s Board of Directors held its monthly meeting via teleconference March 20. GTRA Executive Director Mike Hainsey provide updates on efforts to prepare for the impacts. “Since this (virus impact of travel) has happened, we are currently averaging about 10 people per flight,” he said. “We have not heard anything from the airlines yet in terms of cancellations. But we do expect that to happen.” Back in February, passenger totals were up 21 percent. Hainsey’s hope comes from seeing the industry working together to get through the crisis, including cooperation between airports and airlines. Hainsey predicted the overall impact on revenue for 2020 may be about $200,000. But with strategic planning and stopping planned improvement projects, the net loss may actually be about $26,000. (Source: Starkville Daily News 03/21/20) https://www.starkvilledailynews.com/news/hainsey-says-gtr-expecting-revenue-loss-but-expresses-optimism/article_489d093a-6b84-11ea-bbdd-a7a89ef4d687.html