Southwest, art and music in Dayton airport's future?

Coming to the Dayton International Airport's terminal by the end of this year: art and photographic displays and live music from solo singers or choruses, the city's aviation director said Monday.

Iftikhar Ahmad said it is part of his plan to make the airport a more appealing entry point for visitors to the Dayton region. Other airports have begun bringing in art displays and live music, so Dayton needs to get in on it, he said during an interview with the Dayton Daily News' editorial board.

Ahmad also said he has met twice this year with Southwest Airlines to discuss the possibility of service to Dayton. He believes there is a chance that the Dallas-based airline would consider serving Dayton at some point.

"Is there a chance? Yes. Have they promised anything? No," Ahmad said.

Southwest is unhappy about the recent startup in Columbus of Skybus, a competing low-fare carrier, he said.

Southwest serves Columbus, Indianapolis, Cleveland and Louisville in this region. Southwest's representatives have talked informally with Dayton and other airports this year in continuing research of cities it doesn't already serve, but Southwest doesn't anticipate adding any other cities in 2007 other than its announced intention to begin serving San Francisco on Aug. 26, Southwest spokesman Chris Mainz said.

Ahmad, who oversaw operation of the Houston and Nashville airports in his last two jobs before becoming Dayton's aviation director last fall, said he also is working on these projects:

•Exchanging information with parties that might be interested in buying or leasing and operating the Dayton airport's 151-room hotel. Ahmad said it is part of his effort to increase revenues from airport operations to help lower the airlines' cost of operating there, which could make it easier to attract new air service to Dayton.

•Talking with the U.S. Transportation Security Administration about possibly relocating baggage screening equipment behind airline service counters, to create more space on the terminal floor for lines of passengers waiting to board planes.

•Preparing to ask the Federal Aviation Administration for permission to use 400 acres of the airport's 4,556 acres for non-aviation purposes, specifically for lease to businesses as a way of increasing the airport's revenues.

In addition, the Federal Aviation Administration could break ground in September for a new control tower at Dayton. The shift to that facility from the current tower could occur within a year or two after that, Ahmad said.

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