7 major changes at the Dayton airport in 2017

1. Dayton Airport director’s plan to lure passengers: Bigger planes, more flights

Despite a recent decline in passenger traffic at the Dayton International Airport, aviation director Terrence Slaybaugh is hoping a major face-lift in the next few years will boost the notoriety of this hometown hub. The Dayton airport will need to spend $130 million in infrastructure improvements in coming years, an investment that could lure in passengers and airlines, Slaybaugh said. READ MORE

2. After Southwest departure, what’s next for Dayton airport?

A day after Southwest Airlines abruptly announced it was pulling its services from Dayton International Airport, officials and business leaders said Thursday there’s not much that could have been done to keep the carrier. A day after Southwest Airlines abruptly announced it was pulling its services from Dayton International Airport, officials and business leaders said Thursday there’s not much that could have been done to keep the carrier.

3. Small airports are dying out. What will 2018 hold for Dayton’s hub?

The Dayton International Airport is at an arduous point in its history — a major air carrier left this year, ticket prices are higher than most Ohio airports and passenger traffic has steadily declined. Nationally, the declining trend has hit small- and medium-sized airports and forced several dozen to lose air service as they struggle to compete as major airlines pull up stakes and land at larger airports. READ MORE

4. Depsite Thunderbirds cancellation, Dayton Air Show thrills crowd

Spectators came out for the 2017 Vectren Dayton Air Show on Sunday, despite a performance schedule cut short after the cancellation of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds act. While the Thunderbirds did not fly Sunday, the 2017 show featured 10 other performances, air show organizers said — drawing large crowds under cloudless, blue skies on both Saturday and Sunday. READ MORE

5. New discount flights added at Dayton airport

Low-cost airline Allegiant Air is adding another nonstop flight at the Dayton International Airport, with fare as low as $49. The airline announced new nonstop seasonal service to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The flights will operate twice weekly from the Dayton airport, and will begin May 24. Flight days, times and lowest fares can be found at the Allegiant website.

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6. New Dayton airport construction work this year to hit $35M in value

Dayton International Airport will launch at least $35 million in new construction projects this year, work that could last up to 18 months, fueled mostly by federal funds. The airport hopes to get in all about $14 million in Federal Aviation Administration funds for runway and aircraft ramp work this year, said Terrence Slaybaugh, the city of Dayton's aviation director. The city is also designing a $4.5 million sanitary sewer project. Work on the terminal is also ongoing, he said. READ MORE

7. Business leaders want more Dayton airport flights, destinations

A lack of direct flights or even the number of flights from the Dayton International Airport costs area companies thousands in extra expenses annually, business leaders said. A group of about a dozen local business leaders have formed a committee — dubbed the "Corporate Airport Advisory Group" — in an effort to attract more flights to the Dayton airport for business travelers. READ MORE

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