News File Photo A Delta jet used by SkyWest is shown parked in Alpena County Regional Airport in this 2022 News file photo. The main runway at the airport will close for two to three months during a large reconstruction project starting in May.

ALPENA — The Alpena County Regional Airport remains on track to earn its $1 million subsidy from the federal government because of the amount of travelers flying out of Alpena.

The airport receives the subsidy if 10,000 passengers fly from Alpena to Detroit.

A paying passenger is referred to as an enplanement in the airport industry.

In March, the airport in Alpena recorded 818 enplanements, which bumps its yearly total to 2,008.

Last March, the airport had 873 enplanements and was well on its way to earning the $1 million before a large construction project in its main runway closed the airport for several months, which led to the goal being missed.

Airport Manager Steve Smigelski applied for a waiver with the federal government in an attempt to have the money allocated to Alpena County, but the federal government has not ruled on the request yet.

In April of 2023, the airport had 648 enplanements.