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Willard Airport TSA Pre✓® Local Enrollment Event

Frequent traveler? Consider enrolling in TSA Pre✓® , an expedited screening program available at 167 U.S. airports. Fly Champaign-Urbana is hosting a local enrollment event from April 25th to May 6th. Learn more/schedule your appointment: https://www.flycmi.com/tsaprecheck.TSAPrecheckLogo

From the press release:

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Air travelers who would like to enroll in TSA’s popular expedited-screening program can do so at Savoy’s Willard Airport from 10:00 A.M. to 7 P.M. on April 25 to May 6. TSAPre✓® allows passengers to proceed quickly through airport security at 167 U.S. airports without removing footwear or presenting for inspection small containers of liquid, laptops, light outerwear or belts.

“It can be quite a hassle to enroll in this program at a distant location or at a busy airport,” said Gene Cossey, Willard Airport Executive Director. “Now, this limited time event can let travelers make an appointment and apply closer to home, rather than driving considerable distances and waiting in long lines.”

For easy access to the enrollment pages and for more information about the program, interested parties can visit www.iflycu.com.

The event will be held in the Willard Airport Café Conference room and Willard Airport will validate parking for all guests attending the TSA Pre✓® Enrollment event.

To complete the application process, each person will need to bring proof of identity and U.S. citizen documentation (such as a U.S. Passport or a birth certificate and a driver license) to his or her appointment. More information on ID requirements can be found at http://www.tsa.gov/tsa-precheck/required-documentation.

The application process, including on-site fingerprint collection, will be completed at the event. TSA requires an $85 application for five years of service. The fee can be paid by credit card, money order, company check, or certified/cashier’s check. Cash and personal checks are not accepted.

About University of Illinois – Willard Airport:
Willard Airport currently has daily flights to both Chicago and Dallas-Fort Worth with easy connects to more than 175 cities. In 2015 over 170,000 passengers used Willard Airport.

Ushering in the New – Fly Champaign-Urbana Welcomes Executive Director Gene Cossey

Event Celebrates New Opportunity and Development at Willard Airport

SAVOY, Ill. (Dec. 16, 2015) – Today in a special event, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign officially welcomed Gene Cossey to the community as the Executive Director for the University of Illinois – Willard Airport. Cossey’s selection to the Champaign-Urbana team followed a national search led by a university-appointed committee. He has more than 25 years of airport management experience and most recently served as the Director of Operations at Eastern Iowa Airport in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Executive Director Gene Cossey

Executive Director Gene Cossey

“Gene brings a wealth of experience to Willard Airport and can begin work immediately on the strategic and air service development plan recommended by the Advisory Board and adopted by the University,” said Associate Chancellor Michael DeLorenzo.

“I’m very happy to be joining the University of Illinois – Willard Airport team and thank the community for being so welcoming,” said Cossey. “The Airport Advisory Board and University staff have already launched several programs to enhance growth at the Airport. I’m excited to take the role of leading these new initiatives and look forward to continuing the momentum they have already established.”

During today’s welcoming event, the Champaign County Association of REALTORS® presented a check to the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation in the amount of $5,000 to assist with obtaining an economic impact study for the Airport, a project in partnership with the University of Illinois. The study, which will be completed by Sixel Consulting Group, the Airport’s air service development consulting firm, will determine the current economic impact the Airport has on Champaign County while highlighting the potential impact that would come from improved services and additional flights. The Champaign County Association of REALTORS® obtained the funds through a Smart Growth Action Grant sponsored by the National Association of REALTORS®. The study will assist the University and community by showcasing growth initiatives that help position the Airport as a regional transportation asset.

Champaign County Association of REALTORS® Check Presentation

Champaign County Association of REALTORS® Check Presentation

“The Champaign County Association of REALTORS® is eager to support and help fund this economic impact study on the future expansion of Willard Airport,” said Stefanie Pratt, president of the Champaign County Association of REALTORS®. “We believe this effort will provide long-term benefits for both the local housing and commercial real estate market, promote business growth, further the ongoing success of the University of Illinois and overall economic vitality of Champaign County. This study provides an opportunity to attract new residents and businesses to our community and further improve our area’s image as an exciting place to live and work.”

In addition to the $5,000 contributed by the Champaign County Association of REALTORS®, a number of other area businesses have contributed funds towards the study. Businesses that have contributed to the study fund include:

  • Champaign County EDC
  • City of Champaign
  • City of Urbana
  • Deep Silver Volition
  • Farnsworth Group
  • Flightstar Corporation
  • Frasca International
  • Human Kinetics
  • Litania Sports Group
  • Robeson’s, Inc.
  • Village of Savoy

During today’s event, the Airport also showcased new American Airlines branding and terminal updates. The terminal updates have been underway and passengers will notice that the check-in area has been reskinned to align with the new American Airlines branding and that two updated kiosks are featured for easy, hassle-free check-in. The ticket counters in the departure lounge have been moved closer to the departure gate which has opened the room up and allowed for a more comfortable and welcoming area.

In August, the University of Illinois – Willard Airport along with members of the Airport Advisory Board unveiled new Airport branding initiatives which included new logos, a revamped IFlyCU.com website and a social media presence on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. To coincide with the brand unveiling, the Airport has been implementing a full strategic marketing and air service development plan which has included a traditional advertising campaign, social media and outreach efforts focused on both the general traveling public and local business communities. The goal of the marketing and air service develop plan is to encourage more travelers from Champaign County to utilize the Airport for their travel needs.

About Fly Champaign-Urbana

When you Fly Champaign-Urbana you save time and money. Minutes from anywhere in Champaign County, University of Illinois – Willard Airport offers competitive fares with access to more than 175 cities on four continents with just a single stop. The Airport is served by American Airlines with six daily non-stop flights to Chicago O’Hare and a daily non-stop flight to Dallas/Ft. Worth on American Eagle. University of Illinois – Willard Airport boasts a terminal facility that is easy to navigate and parking is just a few steps from the plane. Next time you travel, remember to Fly Champaign-Urbana.

Press:

Fly Champaign-Urbana welcomes Executive Director Gene Cossey, Smile Politely

New Willard leader already has wheels up, The News-Gazette

Donation will cover cost of economic impact study, WCIA 3 News

University of Illinois Willard Airport welcomes new Executive Director, FOX 55/27 Illinois

Photos:

Champaign County EDC

Champaign County Association of REALTORS®

 

 

 

University of Illinois Appoints New Willard Airport Executive Director

From the U of I News Bureau:

The new executive director of the U. of I.’s Willard Airport has more than 25 years airport management experience.

David “Gene” Cossey (COO-zee) was named the airport’s executive director Oct. 20 following a national search led by a university-appointed committee. He will start Dec. 7.

“Gene stood out very early in the process as someone who was not only capable of managing Willard Airport, but one who could improve its operations and take it successfully into the future,” said Associate Chancellor Michael DeLorenzo

Cossey is the director of operations at Eastern Iowa Airport in Cedar Rapids.

Prior to that, he was the senior manager of airside operations at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, the airport director at Newport Municipal Airport in Oregon and the airport operations manager at Southwest Oregon Regional Airport.

Cossey has a bachelor’s degree in business management and information systems. He is an Accredited Airport Executive through the American Association of Airport Executives, and an International Airport Professional through the Airports Council International.

Cossey’s experience includes airport and economic development, intergovernmental affairs, grant writing, budgeting and negotiation, and community outreach.

Fly Champaign-Urbana Unveiled as New Brand of University of Illinois – Willard Airport

Article Source: Smile Politely #iFlyCU

SAVOY, IL (Aug. 19, 2015) – Fly Champaign-Urbana has officially been unveiled as the new brand for University of Illinois – Willard Airport. New logos, a revamped IFlyCU.com website as well as social media presence on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube have been established as part of larger effort to increase awareness of the Airport and encourage Central Illinois travelers to choose Willard Airport. To celebrate, the Airport is partnering with Fighting Illini athletics to host the “Ultimate Illini Flyaway” social media promotion which will begin Monday, August 24.

The new brand is part of an 18 month initiative the University of Illinois – Willard Airport Advisory Board has been working on to pave the way for the Airport’s future. The Advisory Board, which is made up of a group of 20 leaders dedicated to the success of the Airport, has developed a full strategic marketing and air service development plan which will be implemented in the following months. The enhanced branding includes a new website, a traditional advertising campaign, social media and outreach efforts focused on both the general traveling public and local business communities. The new branding was chosen, after research conducted by the Advisory Board identified a need to connect the airport to the two largest cities in the region.

“The new branding is more than a logo, it’s a mission that will drive us forward in our thinking and planning,” said Steve Carter, Chair of the University of Illinois – Willard Airport Advisory Board. “The work of the Advisory Board is already paying off, in 2014 the number of passengers utilizing Willard Airport grew 11 percent, making it the best year since 2008. 2015 is looking even better and we hope the community will realize the value when you Fly Champaign-Urbana with this new branding.”

The logo was designed to match the colors of the Fighting Illini and features easy to read stylistic elements. The jet seen inside the word “Fly” points up, indicating the ascending path of the Airport, the University and the region. The jet is also a silhouette of the current aircraft serving the Airport, and can be adjusted should larger aircraft be deployed in Champaign- Urbana. The official name of the Airport, University of Illinois – Willard Airport, will not change. The newly coined IFlyCU.com website features an easy-to-remember URL that directly corresponds with the new branding.

To celebrate the new Fly Champaign-Urbana brand, the Airport has teamed-up with Fighting Illini athletics for a social media promotion beginning Monday, August 24 and running through Sunday, Sept. 6. Through the Fighting Illini Facebook page, fans may enter to win the grand prize of season tickets to all home Fighting Illini athletic games as well as two tickets to one away football game and a $1,000 American Airlines gift card provided by University of Illinois – Willard Airport. A second prize winner will receive season tickets to all home Fighting Illini basketball games. Details on the contest will be announced on Monday, August 24, on Fighting Illini Facebook page and at the Airport’s Facebook and Twitter pages.

About Fly Champaign-Urbana

When you Fly Champaign-Urbana you save time and money. Minutes from anywhere in Champaign County, University of Illinois – Willard Airport offers competitive fares with access to more than 175 cities on four continents with just a single stop. The Airport is served by American Airlines with six daily non-stop flights to Chicago O’Hare and a daily non-stop flight to Dallas/Ft. Worth on American Eagle. University of Illinois – Willard Airport boasts a terminal facility that is easy to navigate and parking is just a few steps from the plane. Next time you travel, remember to Fly Champaign-Urbana. For more information visit IFlyCU.com.

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Press:

 

Flightstar acquires Bloomington firm

Article Source: The News-Gazette

Fri, 01/13/2012 – 10:00am | Don Dodson, staff writer

SAVOY — Flightstar Corp. has acquired the assets of Bloomington Avionics and transferred its five employees to Flightstar’s facility at Willard Airport.

Bloomington Avionics had operated at Central Illinois Regional Airport in Bloomington for more than 30 years. It had a full-service avionics repair station there specializing in high-performance single- and twin-engine aircraft.

Flightstar had two avionics employees who mostly worked in jet avionics, and the addition of five from Bloomington Avionics will allow Flightstar to do avionics work for small planes up to jets, Flightstar President Bill Giannetti said.

“While the Bloomington Avionics name will change to Flightstar, customers will see all the familiar faces they have known for many years at Bloomington Avionics,” he stated in a news release.

Giannetti said Flightstar was looking to acquire an existing avionics firm, and as it was about to approach Bloomington Avionics, that company came to Flightstar. Bloomington Avionics had been owned by Jack Guess, Giannetti said.

Flightstar plans to expand the general-aviation avionics sales and service business. Plus, the acquisition is expected to help the company expand its role on the jet side of the avionics business.

Flightstar, which got its start in 1978, employs more than 120 people at its 10,000-square-foot corporate terminal at Willard and its 68,000-square-foot maintenance facility nearby.

Flightstar’s operation is divided into three areas:

— Line operations, including meeting and parking aircraft, fueling, towing planes and storing them in hangars, handling baggage and deicing.

— Flight operations, including both aircraft management and aircraft charter.

— Maintenance and avionics operations.

Greg Vail, chair of the Aircraft Electronics Association’s board of directors, is joining Flightstar as a result of the acquisition. He had been sales manager for Bloomington Avionics and is now Flightstar’s avionics sales manager, Giannetti said.

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