The new airport will include a 9,300-foot runway large enough to allow scheduled commercial jet airlines and business jets to fly into St. George for the first time. The airport will be a state-of-the-art facility capable of handling twice as many passengers as the existing airport. The new runway will have the latest in lighting systems and navigation technology.

Initial cost estimates of the new airport put the cost at $110 million, which McArthur said have risen significantly because of soaring land prices and construction costs. The mayor said he is hopeful the new airport will open by 2010.

SkyWest Airlines president Jerry Atkin said the new airport would allow the company to provide the level of air service the area warrants. The airline currently offers 30-passenger turboprop aircraft flights out of St. George. At the new airport, SkyWest will be able to offer flights on jets carrying from 50 to 88 passengers.

"Right now we're very limited. We can't bring big jets in and out of the current airport," Atkin said. "The timing of this project certainly puts us in a better position. From my perspective, it's absolutely perfect."

SkyWest pilot Vince Leonis attended Monday's event with his wife, Jessica, and said he is looking forward to flying the larger jets into the new airport. The couple's first baby is due any minute, he said.

"It'll take 35 minutes to get to Salt Lake City instead of an hour," Lenois said, pointing out the obvious benefits of a shorter commute with a new baby at home.

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E-mail: nperkins@desnews.com