NORTON SHORES, MI – Muskegon County Airport is undergoing a series of upgrades and changes after experiencing a major decline in ridership.
The airport, 99 Sinclair Drive in Norton Shores, has both commercial and private flights seven days a week.
Since 2019, the number of passengers utilizing the airport has decreased by 80%. In 2019, the airport saw over 40,000 passengers come through the gates. By 2024, that number has dropped to 5,000.
“We’re trying to bring air service back from the brink of extinction,” said Airport Director Ken Efting.
The airport is contracted with Southern Airways Express, which is contracted to offer 10 flights to and from Chicago O’Hare International Airport daily. They connect to Alaska Airlines, United Airlines and American Airlines.
Currently, the airport sees one to three commercial and 100 private flights per day. In the winter, private flights decrease to about 50.
The airport previously contracted with SkyWest Airlines, who left during the COVID-19 pandemic when there was a national pilot shortage. They were relieved from their contract and, when the Department of Transportation asked for new carriers, Southern Airways Express was the only company to apply.
Efting said the new airline “struggled with operational reliability,” cancelling 43% of their flights and struggling to handle winter weather conditions.
Southern Airways Express operates with 9-seat commuter, single-engine aircrafts.
“That airplane just wasn’t a great fit for this winter environment,” Efting said. “They looked very good on paper, but their model was not as advertised. We’re very carefully not doing that again.”
A sign indicates where travelers should go as the airport terminal is currently covered in construction materials and protective sheets.Kayla Tucker
Since Southern Airways Express learned their contract was not going to be renewed, Efting said “they have all but quit.”
“In the last 14 days, they’ve only flown eight flights,” Efting said on Sept. 6. “We just keep the DOT informed. They have to continue to stay here until the new carrier is selected and takes over.”
Earlier this year, the airport received six different proposals, choosing Denver Air Connection.
“The demand is certainly there, and the airlines are seeing it,” Efting said.
Denver Air Connection flies 50-seat and 30-seat regional jets and connects to Delta Airlines and American and United.
“They can operate a lot better in the West Michigan environment and especially winter,” Efting said. “We’re expecting the cancellation rates to go down significantly.”
Because its planes can’t fly high or fast enough, Southern Airways cannot fly over Lake Michigan, meaning its flights to O’Hare take an hour and 20 minutes, Efting said.
That compares to 35 minutes travel time for Denver Air, he said.
The goal for the first year with Denver Air is to serve 20,000 passengers. Efting said he plans to return to pre-pandemic numbers in the couple years after.
While the contract with Denver Air has already been approved by the county, the airport is waiting on federal approval.
The Muskegon County Airport is currently in the demolition phase of construction. Renovation will start this fall on the terminal and the taxiway construction will start next spring.Kayla Tucker
Terminal, taxiway to get $24M in upgrades
The county airport is undergoing a complete renovation of their terminal, a total cost of approximately $2.7 million.
“The terminal looked like it was something out of the 90s,” Efting said.
A new roof is going in, replacing the “greenhouse-style” sky lights that Efting said were “really inefficient for energy usage.”
“We were spending a lot of money trying to heat those areas in the winter and cool those in the summer,” Efting said.
There will also be a new front facade, entryway, 17,000 sq-ft of carpet, two new bathrooms past security and a new restaurant.
The building, erected in 1994, pre-dated 9/11 security enhancements, and since then the bathrooms behind security became more of a hassle.
“That’s always been a top problem of travelers and we’re finally getting around to solving it,” Efting said.
Currently, the restaurant lobby is being used as a waiting area for passengers.
Efting said he expects the restaurant portion of the build to be done over the winter and to be looking for an operator in late winter or early spring.
READ MORE: Restaurant could return to Muskegon County Airport as destination dining spot
The $2.7 million terminal project is being paid for by $1.9 million infrastructure grant from Michigan Economic Development Corporation, $800,000 from a Federal Aviation Administration-sponsored grant and $26,000 from Muskegon County.
Colliers Engineering & Design in Grand Rapids is the architect on the terminal project, and CarbonSix Construction, of Gaines Township, is the general contractor.
The Muskegon County Airport is currently in the demolition phase of construction. Renovation will start this fall on the terminal and the taxiway construction will start next spring.Kayla Tucker
The taxiway, or the path connecting runways at the airport, will get a $21.3 million makeover. A bid for contractors on that project is expected to post in February.
The existing taxiway – 6,500 feet by 75 feet – will be completely gutted and removed, including signage, lighting, underground utilities and other infrastructure.
A new concrete strip and taxiway system will be installed 75 feet southeast of its current location, aligning with current FAA design standards.
“It was built in the 1960s by old design standards,” Efting said. “Most of the airplanes operating were propeller-driven and, as a result, the standards for how close a taxiway can be to a runway were a little more loose back then.
“It needs to be replaced anyway – the pavement’s in terrible shape.”
The taxiway reconstruction is being funded by $20.3 million from the FAA, $530,000 from the Michigan Department of Transportation and $530,000 from Muskegon County.
Although they have faced a decline business, Efting said the county airport has not lacked in funding from state and federal entities.
“We’re really trying to show people how much potential this airport has for West Michigan,” Efting said.
The Wings Over Muskegon Air Show, which is held annually at the airport, will not be held next year due to construction.
The 95-year-old airport remains open during construction, and short-term and long-term parking have been made free.
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