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Airport news
FAA Awards more than $1.6 million to Lee County Port Authority The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) awarded a grant totaling more than $1.6 million to the Lee County Port Authority for the design of a new Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting facility at Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW). Airports rely on grant dollars, which are awarded through a nationwide priority system, to provide needed infrastructure and improvements. The competition for these limited dollars is intense, with priority given to projects that enhance safety and increase airport capacity on a national level. “We appreciate the FAA’s recognition of RSW as an essential part of the air transportation infrastructure for Southwest Florida,” said Robert M. Ball, A.A.E., Lee County Port Authority executive director. “These funds, which are vital to the planned improvements at Southwest Florida International Airport, will permit us to meet the needs of commercial aviation well into the future." Air Berlin celebrates 30th anniversary, increases flights between RSW and Düsseldorf Air Berlin, Germany’s second largest airline, celebrated its 30 year anniversary on April 28, 2009. The air carrier began operations in 1979 with its first flight to Palma de Mallorca. Today, Air Berlin’s fleet includes 136 aircraft flying to more than 130 destinations within Germany, Europe and throughout the world and is recognized for its service and quality. Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) currently has nonstop service between Düsseldorf and Fort Myers on Air Berlin. RSW is the only airport on the West Coast of Florida to offer nonstop service to Germany and is proud to have had this service for its customers since 1994. Air Berlin will be increasing service between RSW and DUS in time for the busy travel season and will offer four weekly flights to/from DUS effective June 28, 2009. The flights will be operated on the A330 aircraft, which features a new business class product with leather seats and elegant in-flight amenities. Southwest Florida International Airport reports traffic numbers During February 2009, 809,990 passengers traveled through Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW), a decrease of 4.2 percent compared to February 2008. During March 2009, 985,267 passengers traveled through RSW, a decrease of 4.4 percent compared to March 2008. Year-to-date, passenger traffic is down 4.2 percent over the same period last year. The traffic leader in February and March was AirTran. For more information on airport news see the Current News section of RSW's Web site, www.flylcpa.com or contact Barbara-Anne S. Urrutia, public relations manager for the Lee County Port Authority, at (239) 590-4507.
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