Airport News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 20, 2003

AKRON-CANTON AIRPORT PRESENTS PHASE 2-3

OF S*T*A*R CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM

Green, OH: After 12 months of construction, the airport today unveiled $7 million worth of

improvements to the terminal building. A new food court, baggage claim wing, improved entrances, parking lots and wireless Internet access are now part of the airport.s offerings to the flying public. The improvements collectively represent phase two of the airport.s STAR capital improvement program- a $60 million, five-year program to prepare the airport for up to 1.6 million passengers. Phase three, which begins immediately, will focus on a new second level concourse, more room for friends and family, and additional gift and merchandise options as well as improvements to runway 5/23.

New Food Court

How about a foot-long turkey- sub on wheat, please? For the first time in airport history, that

request will be gladly fulfilled at a Subway restaurant, the anchor of the new food court. The new area will also feature a grab-n-go food option for folks who are in a hurry and a full service sports bar for those who want to take a bit more time and relax before or after their flight. "Travelers like food and beverage options," said airport director Fred Krum, and now they'll have plenty to choose from."

Baggage Claim Wing

The new baggage claim wing at CAK is now open. The new space was designed after an

exhaustive terminal master plan indicated that the orignial space would not keep pace with the airport's rapid passenger growth. Passengers have more than doubled over the past five years and that growth is forecast to continue well into the future. The new area features two new bag belts, unclaimed luggage rooms, new restrooms, and new rental car/ ground transportation counters. New trim-line advertising displays were also added. Beautiful community murals featuring prominent local attractions from the Rock Hall to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, give the bag claim area a hometown feel. Pictures of the new baggage claim are available in our media relations center at our website.

CAK goes Wi-Fi

Wireless web surfing is no longer a dream at Akron-Canton Airport. Thanks to new technology

offered by SkyLANtm, a Canton based Internet provider, the entire airport is now considered a hot spot.  Current wireless subscribers (Airpath, ATT, Boingo, etc.) may be able to be able to access the Internet free of charge depending on their individual agreements.

Travelers without a current account can access the web with a simple login process available through SkyLANtm with pricing starting at only $1.95 per hour. "Given the time spent in air travel by busy executives, there is a real need to stay connected," said CEO Tim Wilson. "By enabling high speed Internet access throughout the terminal every flier has the opportunity to make productive, efficient use of the time."

Most modern laptops and handheld assistants have the radio cards needed to get up and running. Radio cards that enable older laptop computers (those made before 2002) to surf wireless will be available for purchase at the airport gift shop. SkyLANtm is headquartered in Canton, Ohio and has been providing Internet access, network and IP services and leading edge technologies in Northeast Ohio since 1995. For further information please contact either Kurt Kidder, VP, at 330-455-4000 x 326, kurt@skylan.net or Jim Nice, 330-455-4000 x 305, jcn@skylan.net.

The next phase of construction, which will complete the STAR program, will focus on a new second level passenger concourse (featuring new gates, additional restrooms and a new business lounge), a new gift shop and improvements to runway 5/23. Architectural renderings of the new concourse can be viewed in the expansion plans section at www.akroncantonairport.com. Construction on the new $24 million gate addition is scheduled to begin next spring and should be complete by the end of 2005.

AirTran Airways, Delta Connection carriers, Northwest Airlink, United Express, and US Airways

Express serve the growing Akron-Canton market. The airport is currently in the midst of a $50 million, five-year expansion project including longer runways, an expanded terminal (including a new second-level loading concourse and a food court with national brands) and a new interchange south of the airport at Shuffel Road. Additional airport information is available at www.akroncantonairport.com.