local airport receives award

Seymour Herald/Library Photo

Commissioners of the Gatlinburg Airport Authority, Inc. Manager Don Baker, Emily Haun, Vic Barrett, Vice Chairman Garry Kimble, Chairman Jerry McCarter, J.T. Arnold. Not pictured is Bill Valentine.

published: September 06 2010 08:55 PM updated:: September 15 2010 02:22 AM

Gatlinburg Pigeon Forge Airport was the recipient of the 2010 Airport of the Year Award at the 25th annual Tennessee Airports Conference in Nashville in late August.
As part of the criteria for this award, a long term commitment to the operation, appearance, maintenance, safety and service must have been demonstrated at the airport.
Gatlinburg Pigeon Forge Airport has initiated several improvement projects over the last four years. A new terminal was completed in 2009.
Other construction projects include a seven-acre terminal area apron, a safety project to remove a hill, five new storage hangars and a new terminal access road.
This is the second time the airport has been awarded the Airport of the Year Award, the last time being in 2006. I
n addition to this honor, the airport has received each of the other three awards given, including Most Improved Airport, Governing Body of the Year, and Airport Manager of the Year, the latter twice with Don Baker serving as Manager.