At a time when regional airports across the country are closing or reducing service, the Ithaca/Tompkins Regional Airport is thriving thanks to vigorous efforts by community and university leaders, airport officials and legislators to keep this important transportation service vibrant. Enplanements increased by 22 percent in 2007 and by 6 percent in 2008.

Flyithaca.com, an online airport service that enables passengers to book directly with the airlines while offering discounted airfare rates, rental car deals and other benefits, is part of a larger effort to increase airport usage and community support to preserve airline service at current levels and, perhaps, enhance it.

"Cornell has made a commitment to support local efforts to ensure the quality of life and workforce that positively impact our economy and student population," said Stephen T. Golding, executive vice president at Cornell. The airport, he added, "is a local resource that the Cornell community has a vested interest in supporting. It provides an important component of Cornell's travel needs and is a dominant economic factor for our employees, students, alumni, trustees and other visitors."

"The Ithaca/Tompkins Regional Airport now has the best service it has had in the last 10 years," said Larry Baum, chair of the Air Services Board and CEO of the Computing Center. "Ithaca now has three airlines -- Delta/Northwest, US Airways and Continental Airlines -- that connect to four hubs providing premier global airline service to any of the world's major destinations."

Cornell, the Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce, Tompkins County Area Development and the county legislature are aiming to increase passenger bookings at the airport by aggressively marketing its services to local and regional travelers. An online survey will be conducted at Cornell in coming weeks to get feedback about Ithaca's air service from the campus community.

A sustainable transportation system helps keep the local and regional economies healthy, stresses Richard McDaniel, recently retired Cornell vice president for risk management and public safety who represents the university on the Air Services Board.

Roughly 180,000 passengers fly through Ithaca annually. Officials hope to increase that number to 280,000 per year.

"We must increase the number of people who use the Ithaca airport or it will suffer the fate of many small airports in recent years that have been shut down or reduced service," said McDaniel. "Cornell has a vested interest in the success of our local airport. More efficient travel makes for a more sustainable transportation system."

An economic benefits study found that the airport contributes more than $30 million into the local economy. Aviation also generates $2.61 million in state and local taxes and $3.07 million in federal tax revenues.

"We hope travelers will weigh the costs in fuel and time that it takes to drive to more distant airports in their travel equation," McDaniel said. "We strongly believe that the Ithaca airport is highly competitive with other airports, especially when all aspects of travel are factored in."

Thomas Romantic, senior director of supply channel management and business services at Cornell, said the university is considering adding Flyithaca.com as one of the preferred travel purchasing methods. "This would provide Cornell travelers with a direct-bill capability and would assist the university in maintaining visibility of university-related travel," he said.

The ability to track Cornell travelers aids the university in negotiations with carriers and in assisting travelers in the event of an emergency, Romantic added.