Traverse City airport gets funds to lengthen runway

Traverse City's Cherry Capital Airport is getting $3.2 million in Federal Aviation Administration funding to help lengthen its main runway and make other improvements.

The Traverse City Record-Eagle reports the funding recently was announced by U.S. Sens. Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow of Michigan.

The longer runway will allow commercial aircraft using the airport to fly fully loaded with passengers. Currently, airlines must occasionally bump passengers flying via the airport on the northwestern portion of Michigan's Lower Peninsula because of weather-related weight restrictions, the Record-Eagle says.

Traverse City is served by American, Delta and United (including their regional affiliates).

Construction already has started. The federal funding will reimburse Cherry Capital Airport for part of the $4 million project.

The funding also will help the airport's planned treatments on runways to improve skid resistance for aircraft operating in inclement weather.