"In a nutshell, the claim is that Kemp has received favorable treatment that's unfair to others who are trying to provide similar services at the airport," said Stephen Hill, an attorney representing OK3 Air.

Assistant City Attorney Gary Williams said the city denied all allegations in the lawsuit, which has been set for trial at the end of 2006, but he declined to discuss specifics.

Gibby said the lawsuit has not hindered the development of the airpark. He also said Kemp Development's goal is not to compete with existing fixed-base operators, but to bring in new business that will benefit the entire local economy.

"Naturally, we disagree with those who are involved in the lawsuit," Gibby said. "We're trying to expand the market."

Rich said the city recently commissioned a study on the feasibility of scheduled commuter service at the airport.

He said it is possible the service initially could operate out of the Ogden Gateway Center, but it is unclear whether the Federal Aviation Administration would allow that because the terminal is on private property.

Rich said he hopes the $18,000 study, expected to be complete in coming weeks, will back up preliminary data compiled by the city that he said show there is sufficient demand for commuter service. Ogden has not had scheduled passenger flights since the 1950s.

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Information from: Standard-Examiner, www.standard.net