Flights Resume From Texas Airport
By Dan Wallach, The Beaumont Enterprise, Texas
Oct. 19–The Southeast Texas Regional Airport is fortunate it had a spare terminal, which helped get four businesses and the only airline serving the region back in business after Hurricane Rita stopped operations cold.
On Monday, Continental Express resumed three daily flights to Bush Intercontinental Airport from the Jerry Ware Terminal, which had served general aviation for almost the past quarter-century.
The terminal, located at the end of — Jerry Ware Drive, was built more than 50 years ago and withstood Rita’s almost 120 mph sustained wind. The building took some hits roof damage with some resulting leaks and the loss of five air-conditioning units. The Ware terminal also lost some glass in the hurricane, which Ross said “blew it, broke it and spread it.”
“Externally, it (the terminal) held up well,” he said, with overall damage estimated at about $300,000.
Hal Ross, Jefferson County’s airport manager, said airport crews made quick repairs, allowing Continental to move over from the more heavily damaged main terminal. Businesses that tagged along were Airport Travel Agency and three rental car companies, including Avis, Hertz and Alamo National.
Gail Shook, owner of Airport Travel, is delighted to have space in which to resume her business.
“We’re hot to trot,” she said. “Things are starting to come together. What we need more than anything is business.”
She said all she did last week was “move and move.” Her usual telephone line, (409) 722-5699, is forwarded to her cellular telephone, but it’s a connection nevertheless.
Her business is in a training room at the Ware terminal, named for a former Jefferson County auditor.
Ross said he is happy Continental is back in operation.
“It’s fundamental. This area needs it,” he said, referring to commercial air service.
Main terminal damages are estimated at about $5 million. Roof repairs should be complete in a month, but the interior must be gutted and rebuilt, he said.
The hurricane also obliterated 17 small hangars, leaving about 40 still mostly undamaged. Four large hangars were damaged, even though the airport still is using one of them.
The airport will get a federal grant of $5.3 million for repairs, which can be used for nonrevenue-producing assets, but Ross said the scope of what the grant can fix is “still up in the air.”
Insurance will cover damage to the main terminal, he said. The length of time needed for repair is unknown.
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