A privately owned and developed airport is under construction eight miles south of Branson, Mo., designed to serve vacationers flying to the Branson area, including airlines and general aviation traffic. The developers of the new airport, Aviation Facilities of McLean, Va., have accepted no federal funds to build and operate the airport, according to executive director Jeff Bourk.
While public funds are available to help defray the $140 million building cost, not accepting those funds, he said, “creates an advantage to us that translates into economic benefits.” For example, Branson Airport will be able to strike exclusive deals with airlines that want to serve the airport from particular cities. The airport can guarantee that airline exclusivity for that route so the airline won’t have to worry about competitors undercutting its prices. “The same is true with all of our vendors and concessionaires,” he added.
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