The Small Community Air Service Development Program has awarded a $600,000 grant to the Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority to help attract a new flight to Fort Wayne International Airport.

“This is great news for the Fort Wayne International Airport and a testament to our collaborative regional efforts,” said Scott Hinderman, executive director of airports for the Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority. “We look forward to using the grant to expand our air service options for travelers in Northeast Indiana.”

Over the last 12 months, the Airport Authority, Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership and Regional Air Service Committee have begun focusing efforts to support the expansion of air service to the Fort Wayne airport. In addition to collaborating on the grant application for this program, the group also undertook a business traveler survey and identification of targeted routes.

“We are pleased to be able to support the Airport Authority in its grant application,” said Katy Silliman, vice president of regional initiatives at the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership. “Expanding air service options in Northeast Indiana, one of the priorities for Vision 2020, is critical for creating a highly competitive business climate in the region. Efforts like this support our mission to develop, attract and retain talent.”

SCASDP is a grant program under the Office of Aviation Analysis. It is designed to help small communities address air service and airfare issues. Only 25 airports across 22 states were awarded grants under the SCASDP program. The grants total more than $11 million toward the implementation of air service initiatives.

Members of the Regional Air Service Committee include Brad Bishop, OrthoWorx; Sarah Bodner, AEP/Indiana Michigan Power; Jim Cook, JP Morgan Chase Bank; Tom Cottrell, BKD; Patrick Dooley, Greater Fort Wayne Inc.; Scott Hinderman, Fort Wayne Airport; John Hopkins, Sweetwater Sound; Ben Johnston, Fort Wayne Airport Board; Tom Jones, Crowe Horwath; Jeff Krudop, Travel Leaders; Mike Landram, Greater Fort Wayne Inc.; Jessica Miller, Fort Wayne Airport; Tim Pape, Carson Boxberger; Dennis Robinson, Visit Fort Wayne; Chris Shanks, Ford Meter Box; Andy Yergler; and Lauren Zuber, Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership.