President and CEO of the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport Terry Hart told the airport board the next carrier he would like to see in the Chattanooga market is United Airlines during a Monday afternoon meeting.
So far, he said, "We've had good conversations." United has hubs in major airports such as O'Hare International Airport in Chicago.
Another area President Hart wanted to address was acquiring a nonstop flight to New York. He mentioned that Delta, currently a carrier in Chattanooga, has a "big presence" at LaGuardia Airport.
Being able to expand to these areas will partly depend on whether or not the CMA receives grant money.
President Hart said, "In July, we submitted our proposal for a small community air service grant." He said while nothing is guaranteed, he feels confident the Chattanooga Airport "has a good story."
During the meeting, it was also announced that the airport would enter into a five-year contract with the Allen and Hoshall engineering firm.
Their first task order approved by the board was to expand the parking lot. The second order, also approved by the board, was to design covered walkways to protect airport customers during inclement weather.
In terms of design, it was stated, "What we're trying to do is to take the look we've created in our new terminal and take it out into the parking lot."