FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

David Anderson, Interim Director

Central Illinois Regional Airport

(309) 663-7384

(Bloomington, IL, April 14, 2005) … A new era at Central Illinois Regional Airport at Bloomington-Normal will begin on June 20, 2005 when Carl G. Olson assumes the position of Executive Director of the airport. Olson, currently Broome County, New York Commissioner of Transportation, brings almost twenty years of experience in general aviation and airport management to downstate Illinois’ premier airport.

Originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota, Olson is looking forward to a return to the Midwest and leading the airport into a new period of growth. As Executive Director, his responsibilities will include overall business operations, administration, financing, marketing, air service expansion, community affairs, maintenance and planning and development of the airport and related facilities.

Married with two children, Olson and his family will relocate to the Bloomington-Normal area in the next two months. Olson’s experience at the Greater Binghamton Airport included stints as the Airport Operations Supervisor, Deputy Commissioner of Aviation and Commissioner of Aviation prior to assuming his current role as Commissioner of Transportation. Under his leadership the Greater Binghamton Airport

developed comprehensive air service development and marketing programs, and acquired and administered more than $45 million dollars in capital improvements.

"We had many fine candidates for the position. After a thorough review and interviews with four of those candidates Carl emerged as the best candidate for the job. We are extremely pleased to have him on board. We believe that he will take this airport to the next level with his combination of knowledge, experience and enthusiasm for aviation." said Neale McCormick, Chairman of the Bloomington-Normal Airport Authority.

Central Illinois Regional Airport experienced unprecedented growth in the late 1990’s. In 1997, the airport was the fastest growing non-hub airport in the United States. During that time AirTran Airways service began from CIRA with a daily nonstop to Orlando. AirTran was the first airline to offer full size jet service in downstate Illinois. AirTran now offers three daily flights to its Atlanta hub as well as nonstop service to Orlando. In addition service on three major carriers – American, United and Northwest offer worldwide access from central Illinois for travelers.

The growth in passenger traffic in the late 1990s led to the construction of a new state of the art terminal building, opened and dedicated in November of 2001. A new air traffic control tower was constructed at the same time. Recently the airport has lengthened its primary runway from 7,000’ to 8,000 feet and widened all taxiways from 50’ to 75 feet under a Letter of Intent program with the Federal Aviation Administration. This summer a new Category II Instrument Landing System will be installed serving the airport’s primary runway. This Instrument Landing System will be the only CAT II system in downstate Illinois, allowing aircraft to take off and land in inclement weather conditions.#