Willard Airport raises $850k in effort to attract new airlines

SAVOY, Ill. (WCIA) — In February, Willard Airport started raising money to attract leisure airlines to the airport. Now, seven months later, they’ve raised just under $850,000.

The airport now has incentives for air carriers flying to any airport in Florida, Las Vegas and Arizona. The money they’re raising will help bring in more airlines to Willard.

If the airline doesn’t hit revenue targets, Willard Airport and stakeholders will be able to reimburse the airline for any short falls.

“We have a million people in and out of our community every year. That’s a lot of demand,” said Executive Director Tim Bannon. “And we want people to fly out of our airport instead of driving to Chicago and Indianapolis, where everybody’s going today. Today, 65% of our passengers drive to Chicago or Indianapolis due to lack of options at our airport.”

Bannon said even with the money they’ve raised, the airport are still short from their goal of $1 million. They’re still working with the community and organizations to raise the remaining $150,000.

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