By Nick Needham As gas prices continue to soar and airlines announce new fees and flight reductions on what seems like a daily basis, airports across the state are steadily losing capacity - except for Augusta's.

Officials with Augusta Regional Airport don't think a Delta- Northwest merger would have a negative impact on local service because the airport isn't served by both airlines. "Typically what happens in a merger situation is they review any overlapping routes and start to whittle down frequencies.

I have had the pleasure of serving as "airport chauffeur" for family and friends over the past couple of years, and I have been quite impressed by the incredible new terminal that has been erected at the Augusta Regional Airport, all in the name of progress.

By ADAM FOLK AUGUSTA - They're early to bed, early to rise and have been bothering pilots in the skies. Thousands of blackbirds have found a home in the 360 acres of county-owned marshland northeast of Augusta Regional Airport and are posing a flight risk to airplanes.

This is just a note to say how great the new airport is. I flew out of Augusta recently to Las Vegas from the new passenger area on a Thursday, and flew back on a Sunday and walked into the new airport baggage claim area that is now open. What a great area.