By Matt Sepic, KWMU
St. Louis – 
A Lambert Airport task force formed after American Airlines announced major flight cuts last summer says the $1.01 billion runway expansion project is at least six months behind schedule.
The 17-member group of business leaders released a report Monday that among other things recommends further operational cost cuts and limiting per-passenger charges that airlines pay.
But task force member David Kemper says no progress can be made unless the new runway is finished.
"The runway expansion needs to be completed on time and on budget," Kemper said. "Eighty percent of the funds have been spent or are committed, and there's no way to recoup costs or make payments on bonds until the runway is open."
Task force members say some contracts have been delayed because of funding issues, and it will be difficult to generate revenue and make debt payments unless planes can start using the runway in 2006.
Also Monday, St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay announced that three former senators and a retired CEO will help in the effort to increase traffic at the airport.
Former Anheuser-Busch executive Barry Beracha is joining former Senators Thomas Eagleton, John Danforth, and Alan Dixon at the recommendation the airport task force.
Slay says he wants the group to find more places to cut costs and to make sure the runway expansion is finished on time.
"We have to improve our airport, "Slay said. "We have to make it more attractive to our airlines and more attractive to our customers. Like any other business, we have to offer a good product at a competitive price."
Slay says the airport has already added 40 new flights and cut its operational budget by $12 million, but must reduce costs further to attract more flights.
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