Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Dale Steenbergen says something needs to be done to encourage people to use the Cheyenne Airport

Last year fewer than 10,000 people boarded planes in Cheyenne, the first time that has happened in several years. That number has endangered an $850, 000 federal grant for the airport. Cheyenne has asked for a waiver to still get the money, and Steenbergen  thinks there is a good chance it will be granted.

But he also says "they won't keep granting waivers year after year" and says something needs to be done to get people to use the airport.

He blames a large portion of the airport's problems on a pilot shortage, which he says was caused by federal over-regulation. Steenbergen says the pilot shortage in turn limits the flights out of Cheyenne, which he says is a major reason people aren't using the airport.

Steenbergen says Great Lakes Airlines is doing everything it can to deal with the shortage of pilots.

Steenbergen says overall there is no reason why a city the size of Cheyenne can't support an airport. He says that's proven by the fact American Eagle airlines actually did quite well in Cheyenne before pulling out.

He says a second carrier in Cheyenne in the future is a real possibility at some point, but adds "we've got to fix the pilot shortage" if people are going to use the airport in large numbers.

Steenbergen admits the lower cost of flying out of Denver is a problem for Cheyenne as well, adding "we've got to find a cost-effective way' to provide local air service.

But he also says the cost is less of an issue for business travelers, who he says are the key to the airport's success. He says most business travelers fly at company expense and are less concerned about cost.

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