FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 25, 2006

Contact information: Ryan Entz, 268-1152

Affordable Air Fares Completes Last Legislative Hurdle

A major victory for state businesses, citizens and legislators

Topeka, Kan. - Yesterday Governor Sebelius protected affordable airfares for Kansas travelers when she signed the final budget bill for the state. The bill contains five years of funding at $5 million per year for the Affordable Air Fares initiative and is now part of the state budget.

Earlier this year, the Governor signed the bill creating the Affordable Airfare Fund. It set up an annual grant by the Kansas Department of Commerce to the Regional Economic Area Partnership (REAP) based on a match of 25% from local units of government and/or private entities and 75% from the State Affordable Airfare Fund.

REAP would use the money to keep air fares affordable and provide more competition for air travel for Kansans using Wichita’s Mid-Continent Airport. 

That legislation created the fund, but did not provide for revenue.  This latest budget bill provides the money.

“We applaud the Governor’s leadership on this issue,” said Lyndon Wells, Executive Vice President for INTRUST Bank and Chairman for the Wichita Metro Chamber of Commerce. “This will make a difference for small and large businesses and for the state that utilize this airport to grow their businesses and compete.”

A coalition of regional groups worked together on the initiative to protect affordable airfares for Wichita Mid-Continent Airport that serves two-thirds of the state. The current program has saved an estimated $73 million annually for citizens throughout the state.

“The community and business leaders from throughout the region who worked on this thank the Governor and the legislators who showed real leadership on behalf of our state,” said John Waltner, Mayor of Hesston and Chairman of the REAP Legislative Committee. “This was a major victory for Kansas communities and citizens, and REAP will continue to work with the coalition to achieve the objectives.”

The Affordable Airfares legislation was identified as a top priority by several organizations to strengthen the economic vitality of the region and the state, including the Visioneering Wichita Unified Legislative Agenda.

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