CIRA Honored as Primary Airport of the Year by the State of Illinois  

Central Illinois Regional Airport receives award at Illinois Aviation Conference

 (Thursday, May 26, 2011, Bloomington, IL)…..The Central Illinois Regional Airport is the recipient of  the Illinois Department of Transportation, Division of Aeronautics Primary Airport of the Year Award for 2011.  CIRA was presented with the award at a luncheon yesterday during the Illinois Aviation Conference in Springfield , Illinois .  Each year, IDOT Division of Aeronautics senior staff members vote to determine which Illinois airports should receive special recognition as airport of the year.  A Primary Airport is defined as an airport with annual enplanements of 10,000 or more passengers.

 “We are pleased to accept this prestigious award and appreciate the partnership and level of cooperation CIRA enjoys with Director Susan Shea and her staff at the Division of Aeronautics,” said Paul Harmon , Chairman of the Bloomington-Normal Airport Authority. ”The Airport Authority Board of Commissioners and staff remain committed to vigilantly maintaining the highest level possible of safety, security, maintenance and growth of the Central Illinois Regional Airport.”

 Criteria for the award includes: cooperation and project coordination with the Division of Aeronautics by airport management and their staff: the airport’s Safety Record, the advancement of aviation in general: and the maintenance of the facility.

 During his presentation of the award, Acting Chief Engineer of the Division of Aeronautics, Steven Long cited several developments at CIRA in the last few years that lead to the airport’s selection as Primary Airport of the Year including impressive safety and security initiatives.  The completion and opening of a $6.6M Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting complex and equipment, a $5.0.M Snow Removal Equipment building and equipment and a $1.6M perimeter fence were three specific projects mentioned as well as the commitment by the airport in the late 1990’s to improve the facility with the completion of an 8,000 ft long primary runway, passenger terminal facility, a Category II Instrument Landing System and a new Air Traffic Control Tower.

 The Division of Aeronautics also recognized CIRA received a perfect score on its annual FAA Part 139 certification and safety inspection that reviewed the facility, safety records, documentation and procedures.  Additionally, the airport’s success in the commercial service market recording an all-time record in 2010 surpassing the previous record by a full 5% during competitive and economically challenging times was noted.  CIRA has seen increases in passenger traffic seven out of the last eight years, with three of the last four setting new records for the facility.##

 FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Carl Olson                                                                    Steven J. Long  , P.E.               

Executive Director                                                        Acting Chief Engineer

Central Illinois Regional Airport                                      IDOT-Div. of Aeronautics

309-663-7384                                                             217-785-8514