MICA ANNOUNCES AIR SERVICE GRANT FOR DAYTONA BEACH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Congressman John L. Mica (R-Volusia County) today announced that the Daytona Beach International Airport (DBIA) will receive $743,333 from the federal government to begin two daily flights to Newark using Continental’s regional jets.

"This new service is important and will provide Central Florida and the Daytona Beach area with an alternate and convenient link to the Northeast," Mica said.

Chairman of the House Aviation Subcommittee, Mica authored the Small Community Air Service Development pilot program in the Aviation Investment and Reform Act (AIR-21), which was enacted in 2000. The purpose of the program is to enable small communities to jumpstart air service, which would also serve the national interest by helping alleviate traffic congestion at major airport hubs.

The U.S. Department of Transportation reviewed over 175 applications from across the country, with DBIA one of only 40 selected to receive $20 million in grant funds. Over the past year, Rep. Mica convened several meetings in Washington, DC with Continental and DBIA officials to discuss and coordinate strategy.

"I am committed to helping regional airports become more competitive and attractive to airlines as destinations, which will in turn benefit our traveling public with more flight options and cheaper fares," Mica stated. "By using this new program, I am pleased that DBIA and Continental will expand daily passenger service to Central Florida."