There’s a chance that the annual National Cherry Festival in Traverse City could be missing one of its biggest attractions this year -- the air show.
National Cherry Festival organizers said the deadline to agree to air show guidelines with Cherry Capitol Airport was on Thursday at 5 p.m., and no agreement was reached.
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The airport in Traverse City is concerned about issues caused by the air show during summer flight season.
“We have to remember the annual economic impact of the airport is $1.1 billion,” said Cherry Capital Airport CEO Kevin Klein, according to WPBN. “When we have an air show, you’re jeopardizing airline service. You’re jeopardizing services like air ambulances and others into the airport, and all that needs to be taken into account. Cherry Festival is not doing that.”
“My job, and the job of the airport authority, is to ensure that the airport is available for everyone, not just the Cherry Festival air show,” Klein said.
Festival organizers said they’ve engaged in “extensive, good faith conversations to coordinate a safe, free, family-friendly air show.”
The airport authority would like a feasibility study done on the impact of air shows.
“What happens to the public when we have an air show? What happens to the airport? The passengers?” Klein said to WPBN. “And when we look at the long-term effects of an air show, we have to see, is it really a benefit? And really the transparency needs to be made to the public on what’s going on. That seems to be the hang-up here with the Cherry Festival and why they’re not wanting to sign the agreement.”
According to WPBN, both sides will continue talking, with an airport board meeting scheduled for March 12.
The National Cherry Festival runs from June 26 through July 6.