For years, those flying to or from Gainesville may have known the feeling of boarding a small regional jet. But a recent rise in passenger numbers and demand has airport officials looking for ways to accommodate larger aircrafts and more flights.
Gainesville Regional Airport can already handle bigger planes like Boeing 757s used primarily for sports charters. The problem is finding space for these aircrafts without disrupting regular commercial traffic.
To solve this, the airport is looking to expand its commercial apron, a paved area where aircraft park to be loaded, refueled and maintained. Last month, the Gainesville City Commission accepted an offer for a multimillion-dollar federal grant that would largely fund the project…