Tri-State Airport Director Announces Retirement
After 26 Years of Service
Huntington, WV (June 26, 2008) – Airport Director Larry G. Salyers, is retiring from Tri-State Airport after serving for more than twenty-six years. During a recent monthly board meeting, Mr. Salyers informed the Airport Authority of his intentions and said “it is time to give higher priority to personal and family matters.”
“I have been honored to serve the Authority and the Tri-State community, and am humbled by the trust they have placed in me,” stated Salyers. “I am very grateful for the opportunity to have worked with the Authority, as well as the exceptionally talented and dedicated employees and tenants at Tri-State Airport.”
Under Salyers’ leadership, the airport has realized significant milestones and achievements, including record-breaking years of the highest annual enplanements in the airport’s history, extensive terminal renovations, and the current runway extension project. Mr. Salyers has also served during many of the airline industry’s greatest challenges, including airline deregulation, the attacks of September 11th and the financial challenges and bankruptcies of many airlines. Currently, the airport is experiencing a tremendous resurgence of growth in both revenues and passenger usage. Passenger traffic increased by 62% in 2007 over 2006, and represented the highest yearly boardings since 1998. In May, the airport reported the highest monthly boardings in over 13 years and a 45% increase in year-to-date passengers over 2007. In 2006, Salyers was instrumental in bringing the airport’s newest airline to the tri-state, low-cost carrier Allegiant Air, which provides nonstop service to three Florida destinations on 150-seat MD-80 aircraft.
Mr. Salyers joined Tri-State Airport in December 1975 as Director of Operations and Security, and was promoted to Assistant Airport Manager in March 1980. In August 1981 he was named Acting Manager, and was appointed as the new Airport Director in May 1982. He will continue to serve as Director until September 30, 2008, or until employment of his successor.
