Not-So-Frequent Fliers Worry Officials at Butte, Mont., Airport.

By Leslie McCartney, The Montana Standard, Butte Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News

May 26--A depressed national and local economy, coupled with fears about terrorism and SARS, are taking a toll on the Bert Mooney Airport.

Compared to the past three years, boardings are down 16.3 percent from January to April. That is causing concern among airport and city officials who are working on ways to stabilize and beef up boardings.

"We have unbelievably good service for a city our size that is going through, and gone through, what we have," said Keith Johnson, a former president of the Airport Authority.

The five-member volunteer board helps direct the workings of the airport. He added that Butte enjoys jet service and direct flights, which few airports with more population and better location have.

"It's a nice little airport and serves …